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Alvvays inspired indie band big tide launch new single!
A former French House music aficionado, his previous moniker L’Etranger caught the attention of tastemaker publications Clash, Nest HQ, Indie Shuffle, Earmilk, HBF, Purple Sneakers, French Shuffle, Amazing Radio and Bella Union Simon Raymonde amongst others.
However, after joining Spectrals as lead guitarist on their 2013 tour, the seed was planted for a change in musical direction. A stay in Paris was the final catalyst for the transition when Ben picked up his 12 string and the chiming jangle-pop sound of big tide was born.
Originally from Liverpool, Ben Thomas has been writing for bands since he was 13. His previous output as L’Etranger spanned over a period of six years, with a string of prior releases. However, after growing frustrated with the electronic music scene, a change of direction was imminent.
Meeting producer Matt Johnston (Eagulls, Spectrals, Pulled Apart By Horses) who produced and mixed big tide at his Suburban Home Studio, Thomas undertook his first explorations into big tide, recounting that they sounded very much in the vein of Big Star and Teenage Fanclub. “I used to get obsessed with trying to be 100% unique, and if a song I wrote had even the slightest whiff of somebody else's I'd instantly scrap it. With big tide I seem to have lost that, if the song stands up on its own merits I'll stick with it. After all it's Rock and Roll, there's only so many chords. Everyone influences everyone, it's very freeing” he says.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Alvvays, The Byrds, Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, Neil Young, The Beach Boys, The Who, The Smiths and My Bloody Valentine, Thomas annexes musical elements from the 60’s - the electric 12-string guitar is the keystone of the "big tide sound."
Thomas’ tongue-in-cheek lyrics and dry sense of humour take mundane, everyday scenarios and paint them into vivid, amusing pictures. Simmering with creativity, 'Half The Time' is reminiscent of the classic 60’s-era psychedelic jingle-jangle, while simultaneously maintaining a modern relevance.
“We worked through the songs very quickly yet meticulously with Matt Johnson, which totally captured the live essence of Big Tide. The demos I wrote initially were in black and white and Matt brought them into full colour. Wait, three-dimensional full colour. Now you can actually taste the songs. He's a genius”, says big tide.
