Coates

Influenced by the best of British indie music, singer/songwriter Coates delivers up-tempo lyrically driven songs. With a full band and rich intertwining harmonies Coates carves an authentic and individual sound. His wry social commentary style of writing is combined with melodic hooks and strong choruses. This year has seen Coates working his Debut EP “Volume1” - released - September 2015.

Although Coates may be recognised as a fully fledged band due to the live sound and full scale studio productions, singer/songwriter Oliver Coates is responsible for the song craft and group’s overall direction. With a mainstay line-up of producer and partner in crime Toby Pilcher on drums and Tyler Greenwood on bass these incredibly creative musicians help encapsulate the sound of Coates. Hailing from outer West London Coates has spent the past 5 years honing his craft as a solo act at the local open mic and gig circuits. After touring the UK armed with only an acoustic guitar he dedicated a significant part of 2015 to recording his debut EP – Volume.1, released in September of that year

At an early age his father introduced him to the music of The Smiths, Harry Chapin, Elvis and Oasis. Entranced by the melodic riffs of Johnny Marr, he was inspired to teach himself to play guitar and start writing. Later Coates discovered the lyrical and poetic nature of The Libertines, Bob Dylan and Morrissey inspiring him to dig deeper and avoid the stereotypical love song. Lyrically Coates reflects upon the darker sides of social commentary exploring the innate human desire for success. These lyrics are housed in up-tempo catchy indie-pop songs with hooks that will stick in your head for days.

With years of recording experience between Coates’ band, including Pilcher’s impeccable ear for production, the trio were able to record the Vol.1 EP at a low cost and in their own time, completing most of the work in Coates’ home studio Since recording and releasing the EP Coates has taken his DIY ethos one step further playing a string of intimate acoustic gigs in peoples living rooms, including his own, where he openly invited his twitter followers round for a gig and put on other local musicians in his front room. Coates see’s these intimate shows as the best way of conveying his lyrics and as a way to really connect with his audience, both during and after the gig. The trio are still playing full scale shows including a string of live dates at venues around the UK in March to promote Coates’ debut single “Throw me Down”. Dates including London, Worcester, High Wycombe and more TBC.