OtherPeoplesLives

OtherPeoplesLives started out from very humble beginnings as the name for a pet project of general ringleader Matthew Pease-Bower, but very swiftly grew into something much greater after long term friend and collaborator James Acornley overheard some of the ideas flying around Pease-Bower's focussed and prolific songwriting.

After some searching around the local scene in their native Leeds, Bryce Gibson stepped into the role of drummer and brought life into what were initially programmed drum parts - he adapted, dropped, changed and improved the music tenfold. He also happened to work at Nation of Shopkeepers with Sam Ward, who he gave a set of rough demos to and before a week had passed, Sam was eager to join.

Ward became integral to the bands functioning and the realisation of Pease-Bower's multi-layered, multi-instrument-using songwriting by his sheer natural talent for solo performances of live electronica and guitar playing thrown in to boot.

The four form the core of OtherPeoplesLives and bass duties are filled by two talented and rock-solid bassists, who play the parts that Pease-Bower performs on record in live settings.

The music is greatly inspired by a number of American acts who all share one common link - their simplicity combining with intricate, well-weaved instrumentation. Bands like St.Vincent, Yeasayer, The National and Bon Iver are prominent influences, but other more British and equally important inspirations would have to be Wild Beasts, Radiohead, The Invisible and Foals.

What makes OtherPeoplesLives different? They have an intense work-rate towards music that they take great pride in, one that many bands don't seem to be as confident in pursuing. The way in which OtherPeoplesLives songs are crafted is unusual and complexed, yet presented in a pure and simple manner. Hidden layers of sound are within every song, from sneaky Acid House TB303's to E-Bows played with a metal slide or the plastic bottle percussive guitar.

All of this aside, there is always a strong and memorable sense of melody and structure in everything OtherPeoplesLives play that sets them aside from most Post-Rock and Alternative acts. And the distinctive vocal delivery sat just so in amidst the many instruments adds yet another level of depth (literally and metaphysically speaking!).