HIGH HAZELS
“If you’re a fan of The Smiths and The Coral at their most melodic, then this may be right up your street.” THE GUARDIAN
“Soulful Indie goodness.” SHORTLIST
"New lads from Sheffield, like ‘em” BBC 6MUSIC’S LAUREN LAVERNE
“An intoxicating take on indie songcraft… kitchen-sink melancholy with a sweeping glamour” CLASH
If there’s ever been a time to catch High Hazels unleash their sumptuous melodic phrasing and majestic pop sentimentality upon the world, the time is now. With eagerly-anticipated new material at the ready and a single set to drop at any moment, the evolution of the Sheffield 4-piece is about to enter its next phase, emerging fresh from the Yorkshire valleys not a moment too soon.
For the past few months, James, Scott, Anthony and Paul, have been busy. The M1 has become their home as regular trips between their flag-adorned Kelham Island rehearsal room – an industrial workspace in a former factory overlooking the River Don - and The Nave in Leeds has seen the band writing, rehearsing, recording and experimenting with new sonic textures.
New single ‘Days of No One’ will be released on 23 February 2018 and follows last year’s singles ‘Joined at The Lip’ and ‘Sequin Eyes’. The band played 2 packed-out shows at Sheffield’s Tramlines and have received acclaim from The Guardian, as well as opening shows for Richard Hawley, The Coral and Slow Club. A new album is due before the end of the year and the band will play Sheffield (4th May), London (2nd May) and Manchester (27th April) Spring 2018.
With a passion for vintage gear and penchant for priceless guitars (never mind affording the bus ride home) High Hazels combine the grand tradition of enigmatic guitar fetisheurs Marr, Reilly and Ryder-Jones, with the strident tone of the Greenwich Village folkie and plaintive notes of the jukebox balladeer.
High Hazels are James Leesley (vox/guitar), Scott Howes (lead guitar), Paul Musgrave (bass / b.vox), Anthony Barlow (drums).