The Blinders have unveiled the video for new single ‘Brave New World’, a coruscating anthem about the distorting impact of hyper-capitalism, referencing everything from Trump’s Presidency to Aldous Huxley.
The hotly tipped Manchester-based trio were recently announced as the headliners of the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading (Aug 24th) and Leeds Festivals (Aug 26th). They will also headline the Tim Peaks stage at Festival No.6 on September 9th, and will embark on a 22-date UK headline tour throughout October and November.
‘Brave New World’ is taken from The Blinders debut album ‘Columbia’, which will be released September 21st and is available to pre-order. The album also includes the singles ‘L’Etat C’Est Moi’, which was a Huw Stephens Tune Of The Week on Radio 1 and playlisted at 6Music, and ‘Gotta Get Through’, which spent five weeks at No.1 on Amazing Radio.
The striking cover of ‘Columbia’ pictures singer/guitarist Thomas Haywood in the tribal warpaint he wears for live shows, where he assumes the fearless persona of Johnny Dream. Produced by Gavin Monaghan (Editors, The Sherlocks, Goldblade), the album sees 21 year-old childhood friends Haywood (vocals, guitar), Charlie McGough (bass) and Matt Neale (drums) follow Johnny Dream on his spiritual awakening, from the coruscating swagger of the opening ‘Gotta Get Through’ to the raw, beautiful and ultimately redemptive finale ‘Orbit (Salmon Of Alaska)’. The result is a bracingly thrilling debut which firmly places The Blinders at the vanguard of a new generation of politically engaged British guitar bands
Growing up in Doncaster, the trio were originally inspired by local heroes Arctic Monkeys, though ‘Columbia’ was inspired as much by literary touchstones such as George Orwell and Jack Kerouac as much as their musical influences, who include Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Kanye West and The Wytches.
The Blinders have been picking up specialist radio support since their first DIY releases from the likes of Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and Daniel P Carter, Radio X’s John Kennedy, and 6Music’s Chris Hawkins and Steve Lamacq, who recently had the band on his show for a BBC Music Introducing Session.
They play at Manchester Academy on the 15th October
