The Mispent

Artist Information

Biography

Just in case you haven't already heard, The Mispent are a rare hidden gem from the grounds of North West London. Led by singer/songwriter Warrick Hayes, the band was formed in late 2005 and following the success of their fine debut "Climbing Frames" are about to release the beautiful "Windows and Walls"

Produced by Peter Larsen, the new songs showcase and expand on a sound that has been described as "Morrissey meets Crowded House, on a sunny day." It is intelligent yet entertaining and humorous yet heartfelt contemporary rock that offers a little bit of something for everyone. That could be largely a result of the diverse backgrounds and influences each band member brings to the table.

Band leader, singer, and songwriter Warrick Hayes' background is a perfect example. He was born in Rio, then "thrust into the heart of 80s England. Post-punk, pre-grunge. Hard, cold, good old repressed New Romantic England." Band co-founder and guitarist Guy Fearon has lived in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Fred Vislander's rhythm guitar was flavored by life in Stockholm, new bassist Valentin Gerlier's Tuscan roots are tossed into the mix, and drummer Kari Paavola adds a final Finnish touch !

The result is a universally warm and inviting rock vibe that is difficult to resist. As evidence, consider that the band entered VH1's Song of the Year competition, where "Wish You Well" was a top-five finalist in the rock category. Or you might look at the band's rapidly expanding fan base for further proof. But despite the whirlwind of recent success, Hayes and company aren't losing sight of what they set out to do.

"For many reasons, there aren't enough intelligent, melody-driven, upbeat, adult-orientated bands that are new out there," says Hayes. "My focus is to make sure we're good enough to fill that void and do that job. And I think we are, and we can."

"Song of the Year is excited to recognize Warrick for his exceptional songwriting ability for the song "Wish You Well." Warrick competed against songwriters from all over the world for this honor. Song of the Year is an international songwriting contest supporting VH1's Save the Music Foundation. The Song of the Year judges are some of the biggest names in music, including many Grammy Award winners." - VH1 Song of the Year Competition

The Mispent's EP, All There Is, Is Now, and Climbing Frames are currently available through Cd Baby, Amazon.com, Napster.co.uk and iTunes. Windows and Walls is set to be here in time for Christmas! For more information, please visit www.themispent.com.

Instrumentation

Warrick Hayes - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Valentin Gerlier - Bass, BVs
Guy Fearon - Lead Guitar.
Fred Vislander - Guitar
Kari Paavola - Drums
Jennifer Davis - Backing Vocals
Peter Larsen

Discography

" All There Is, Is Now " EP - Produced by Peter Larsen. Nominated for Kweevak.com's CD of the Year 2005.

"Climbing Frames" - Produced by Peter Larsen. Includes " Wish You Well " - VH1 Song Of The Year finalist. See www.songoftheyear.com.

"Windows and Walls" - Produced by Peter Larsen. Featuring "In My Shoes" with Jennifer Davis. Due for release 1 Dec 2010

RADIO AIRPLAY:

"I've Got A Thing About You" has been on regular rotation on CBFX 95.2 FM Radio Canada, WDYN, Celticaradio.com, 104.7 fm (LA),
Bandradio.com, thevoltsshow.com, Indie Limelight Radio, Kweevak's radio shows, spikedtearadio.com, and many live 365 stations including Moozikoo Radio.

"Don't Ever Give Up" was recommended Song of the Month on Moozikoo Radio June 07.

"Breakfast" has been featured (Dec 08) amoungst others on Harborough FM, Radio Enigma (Live 365), 107.4 Quaywest FM - UK, Alooga Radio - Germany and 101 FM - Logan, Australia

"Wish You Well" is playlisted on Radio Caroline (Nov 08) + has gone to air on Kweevak's syndicated radio show, Insomnia Radio, Short Takes and more than 50 Kiac stations.

Both "Wish You Well" and "Catch Me If I Fall" have featured on radiocrystalblue.com .

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace

Audio

• Can't Stop Myself
  Listen  
• Sabotage
  Listen  
• In My Shoes
  Listen  
• How Could I Get it So Wrong
  Listen  
• The Thought of You
  Listen  
• Breakfast
  Listen  
• I've Got A Thing About You
  Listen  
• Wish You Well
  Listen  
• Get Yourself Outta That Hole
  Listen  
• Catch Me If I Fall
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Breakfast
• Wish You Well
• Climbing Frame
• I've Got A Thing About You
• In My Shoes
• How Could I Get it So Wrong

Video

Breakfast

4. Wish You Well (Live)

Photo Gallery

Press

• Xposed - The Mispent [+ Show ]
  

  “I think you’re a bowl of ice cream”, we’re not sure if that would make a great pickup line here in ...“I think you’re a bowl of ice cream”, we’re not sure if that would make a great pickup line here in the U.S., but it makes a great line in The Mispent’s opening track I’ve Got a Thing About You. What’s so refreshing about these guys is their complete lack of pretentiousness in the music. They aren’t trying to be Dylan; they aren’t trying to be anyone but the Mispent. The music is not overly textured with “stuff” but yet the production is very well done.
  
  In music there are great vocalists because they have great technical ability and then there are great vocalists because they deliver a great song... these guys fall into the latter category, kind of like Phil Collins and Sting. They also have a very classic brit-pop sound that, even though it’s been around for forty years is still very refreshing to us here in the states. So check out The Mispent online at www.themispent.com and see if you think they’re “a bowl of ice cream"

• Songwriter Hits Right Note [+ Show ]
  

  "Song of the Year is excited to recognize Warrick for his exceptional songwriting ability for the so..."Song of the Year is excited to recognize Warrick for his exceptional songwriting ability for the song 'Wish You Well'. Warrick competed against songwriters from all over the world for this honor. When asked what inspired the song Warrick commented that he, 'Wanted to write a song about Withnail's final speech in the film 'Withnail & I', set in the context of a passing love affair.'
  
  Song of the Year is an international songwriting contest supporting VH1's Save the Music Foundation. The Song of the Year judges are some of the biggest names in music including many Grammy Award winners."
  
  See www.Songoftheyear.com.

• Quaywest FM Review [+ Show ]
  

  The Mispent - Climbing Frames "This is so radio friendly that it wants to move in and make you br...The Mispent - Climbing Frames
  
  "This is so radio friendly that it wants to move in and make you breakfast. Nicely crafted lyrics, with warm, well produced tunes. I love this album and will be playing and promoting it"

• Music-News.com Review [+ Show ]
  

  They’ve already been described as Morrissey meets Crowded House (although how pleased Morrissey woul...They’ve already been described as Morrissey meets Crowded House (although how pleased Morrissey would be to have to meet Crowded House in a musical sense I’m not sure!) but I would say add something like Divine Comedy in there and you’ll get a good idea of what this five-piece London based band are all about.
  
  Unaffected, easy listening and very clever – if you’re bored of the current musical offerings around The Mispent are the band that could well make music interesting again.
  
  Gorgeous melodies, well written lyrics and lovely vocals from lead singer Warrick Hayes, even if it’s not your scene there’s something about these boys that make you want to hear more. 'I’ve got a thing about you’ and 'Climbing Frame’ are the stars of the album but to be honest it’s all worth a listen.
  
  Keep you’re eye on these boys.

• CD Review - Climbing Frames [+ Show ]
  

  The band describes their music as, intelligent, melody-driven adult oriented. I think that the ...The band describes their music as, intelligent, melody-driven adult oriented.
  
  I think that the band has managed to achieve that goal with the music found on this release.
  
  On it you'll find a blend of indie rock and folk style music.
  
  The songs are melodic and feature both strong acoustic and rhythm guitar parts. Along with Warrick's strong vocals that breathe life into each song.
  
  If you're looking for a 37 minute indie rock musical experience this release is for you.
  
  Rating: 8/10
  By Senior Staff Writer C.W.Ross
  

• Smother.net - All There Is, Is Now [+ Show ]
  

  Having formed merely two years ago, South London’s The Mispent are looking to swing the balance beam...Having formed merely two years ago, South London’s The Mispent are looking to swing the balance beam of rock-n-roll their way armed with the strength of their imaginative debut album. The strong suits on the record are the guitars but incredibly there are oodles of individual contributions that punctuate the dynamics of each song. Led by singer/songwriter Warrick Hayes, The Mispent have already finished fifth in VH1’s “Song of the Year” with their “Wish You Well” that features a twangy guitar and melodically driven chorus. Keep an eye on this five-piece, they’re going places.

• Kweevak.com - All There Is, Is Now [+ Show ]
  

  The Mispent is a contemporary rock band hailing from the south of London. The group members have div...The Mispent is a contemporary rock band hailing from the south of London. The group members have diverse cultural and musical backgrounds to incorporate into their own appealing universal sound. The Mispent blends modern instrumentation into songs that range from lush melodies to up-tempo rockers. They have been described "as Morrissey meets Crowded House but more upbeat." The CD opens with the snappy 'I've Got A Thing About You'. Warrick Hayes, the lead vocalist and writer, uses a variety of singing techniques to add to the mood and texture of the tune. 'Wish You Well' is a haunting ballad that won a top spot in VH1's Song of the Year contest. 'Saving For A Rainey Day' is subtle like a gentle rain but the hook line is spirited. 'Breakfast' has a flavorful samba beat and tangy guitar leads. 'Something Else To Do' is pensive and the closer 'Singing On The Roof' is up-tempo with a little Latin flare. The Mispent is creating diverse, intelligent music and time spent with the band is time well spent!
  
  (Review by Laura Turner Lynch for Kweevak.com)

• Discoveringartists.com Review [+ Show ]
  

  Starting off on a positive melodious vibe, Warrick Hayes brings a very abstract sort of sense to thi...Starting off on a positive melodious vibe, Warrick Hayes brings a very abstract sort of sense to this album. His track "Wish You Well" was selected as a VH1 Song of the Year finalist. It's easy to see why -- the dark tone explored saying goodbye to someone. In it he sings, "Goodbye is never as easy as blame/I wish you well/I won't kiss and tell." With some enchanting electric guitar chords ala Duncan Sheik's Gerry Leonard, it adds a different tone to the music. The rest of the songs are great acoustic rock/folk tunes with rumbling chords.

• Here and There ezine Review [+ Show ]
  

  The UK's The Mispent, led by Rio born Warrick Hayes has nice Morrissey on sunny day type of vibe goi...The UK's The Mispent, led by Rio born Warrick Hayes has nice Morrissey on sunny day type of vibe going on. Formed in 2003, they finally have released this EP to give the rest of us a chance to catch a solid pop band.
  
  I liked this EP quite a bit. Bits of country twang,good tales of love and breaking up all sprinkled with stellar guitar and excellent drumming. The song "Wish You Well" placed in VH-1's Song of the Year,finishing 5th in the Rock category, even though it was much more country then rock.
  
  This is a band to keep a eye on....
  

• unsignedmusicmag.com Review [+ Show ]
  

  The Mispent delivers where some U.K. groups fail to hit the mark. The group's material is catchy, th...The Mispent delivers where some U.K. groups fail to hit the mark. The group's material is catchy, the vocals are raw, yet refined at the same time plus you just get a good vibe listening to the music. If the T.V. show Friends was still around, they would be writing music for it!
  

Setlist

We can do anything from 30 mins - 60 mins+
Generally 2-6 covers +/or 10- 12 original songs.

1. I've Got A Thing About You
2. How Could I Get it So Wrong
3. Breakfast
4. Sand
5. Climbing Frame
6. Number 1 (Goldfrapp cover)
7. Bridge Too Far
8. Catch Me If I Fall
9. Saving For A Rainy Day
10. Singing on The Roof
11. Kids (acoustic MGMT cover)
12. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (U2 cover)
13. I Don't Know Where To Start
14. Wish You Well
15. Don't Ever Give Up
16. I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty cover)
17. The Thought of You
18. Your Cases
19. Get Yourself Outta That Hole
20. In My Shoes
21. Listen To Lilith
22. Simplify My Situation
23. Sabotage
24. Can't Stop Myself

These are the staples - we can pretty much play to order.

Basic Requirements

Calendar