“We want to sound like The Velvets and sell like The Stones.”
Herbie May – guitar
Cameron Davey – vocals, bass
Hani Paskin-Hussain – guitar
Archie Dewis – drums
Signed to cult indie label Speedy Underground when they were just 15, The Lounge Society burst onto the scene with a maturity of sound, lyrical content and presence that belied their years.
The Hebden Bridge four-piece – who describe their northern upbringing as “a combination of beauty and terror” – were at school together and formed The Lounge Society after attending an inspirational gig at local haunt, The Trades Club. The band in question that night? The Orielles.
After a few months, and with a rough demo to hand, they fired off an email to Speedy Underground label boss, Dan Carey – the revered production force behind such luminaries as Kae Tempest, Squid and Black Midi. It was more in vague hope than expectation, so they were beyond gobsmacked to get a favourable reply.
The debut single, Generation Game, was released in 2021. It was a statement of intent. Five and a half minutes of purposeful, swaggering agit-rock. As the band said at the time: “It’s political, it’s aggressive, it’s long and not based around big hooks. It’s everything a debut record shouldn’t be and that’s why it’s perfect.”
Burn The Heather soon followed, another dose of gyrating combat that ruffled feathers, set tongues wagging and earned them considerable radio play. It was the centrepiece to an EP, Silk For The Starving, which also featured three new songs in Cain’s Heresy, Television and Valley Bottom Fever.
The band’s debut album arrived the following year, in 2022. Tired Of Liberty is an expansive yet cohesive work, full of clever tempo changes, unusual textures and stunningly varied vocal tones. The lyrics are particularly remarkable, boldly tackling political and societal themes but executed with a satirical wit and sardonic charm that provokes discussion, never revulsion.
The album’s release generated widespread critical praise and secured them high-profile support slots with Fontaines DC and Wet Leg, extending their jazz-infused brand of rock to a wider audience.
They have since been busy working on new material. We excitedly await the fruits of their endeavours, with new music potentially on the horizon later this year.
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Discography
Album: Tired Of Liberty – 2022
Upheaval – 2022
No Driver – 2022
Blood Money – 2021
Last Breath – 2021
Silk For The Starving EP – 2021
Cain’s Heresy – 2021
Burn The Heather -2020
Generation Game – 2020