The Musgraves

Things are taking off for Birmingham Roots-Pop band The Musgraves.

They have signed a publishing deal, had an instrumental version of one of their tracks featured on a TV advert and released their debut EP.

The band joined BBC WM Introducing at the Mailbox studios in Birmingham for a live studio session.

Lead singer and songwriter Matthew Bennett told presenters Louise Brierley and Brett Birks: "It's going well, hopefully it just keeps on going up."
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The group, which was signed to independent music publisher Imagem Music last September, has released a four-track EP called Lost in Familiarity.

Talking about the band's highlights so far, Matthew said they had been doing a lot of recording and getting new songs ready for an album planned for early next year.

An instrumental version of one of their songs, Discover Me, has been used as a backing track on an advert.

Matthew said that came about after their publishers 'sent it out to loads of people' in the industry.

He explained how the band got together a few years ago: "We all met around the Birmingham area."

They said they were now working on the band full-time.

Lesley-Marie Turner, who is on backing vocals and plays glockenspiel and violin, agreed: "It's a huge risk but I think the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward." - BBC

If there were ever a soundtrack for walking through a park on summer's day, So Sofia by The Musgraves would surely be a strong contender. Taken from their upcoming debut EP, Lost in Familiarity, So Sofia breathes a new precedent of integrity into the roots-pop genre. It's a charming little folk-pop tune spring-loaded with handclaps, backing shouts and a cheery melody that can't help but provoke a good mood vibe.

The song gleans influence from the 50s and 60s pop scene with claim to the likes of The Crystals, The Ronettes and The Beach Boys. This roots-pop chirpiness is then given its folk twist stemming from inspirations of English and American folk blues with the use of banjos, mandolins and fiddles.

Words: Adrian Burgess - Q THE MUSIC

Sometimes, just sometimes you hear a band that are so instant, so likable that you want to climb up the nearest mountain and holler down to ever passer by about your latest new found love, Midlands based four-piece, folk-pop band The Musgraves are one such band.

The Musgraves to date have already been championed by the likes of 6Music's Tom Robinson and have been courted by gigantic music publishers Imagem Music (home to everyone from Vampire Weekend to Britney Spears) and on the evidence of Lost In Familiarity, they're latest four-track EP it's easy to hear why the foursome are receiving so much attention. Basically The Musgraves write and create huge upbeat sing-a-long folk-pop anthems that, in a just world, will become ever music lovers soundtrack to the summer.

The EP opens with the delightful and instantly infectious So Sofia, a wonderful, bright and breezy track full of handclaps, piano, banjo, guitar and a massive contagious chorus that'll have you smiling from ear to ear. As statements of intent go, So Sofia is flawless, it's a brilliant hook-laden pop track complete with glorious, addictive harmonies, that lighten even the dreariest of days. Back To Me, proves that the opening track is no mere one-off, opening with stabbing jazzy piano before developing into a sun-drenched soulful pop belter complete with 50's style harmonies and a beautiful vocal/handclap breakdown that'll have you singing into your nearest hairbrush. Discover Me shows a more laidback reflective side to the band featuring frontman, Matthew Bennett delivering a beautiful and aching croon accompanied by a delicious combination of banjo and strings as the band show off their heartfelt sensitive side to dazzling effect. The Musgraves complete the EP with Fortune Teller, a song that's so catchy that's in been in heavy rotation in my head since the very first spin, it's a classic rowdy pop tune with another killer hook and holler along chorus that's just perfect for those fast approaching summer festivals.

Lost In Familiarity is fun, bouncy, infectious fun that can be loved by everyone, The Musgraves have a brilliant radio-friendly yet slightly quirky sound that should find favour with music fans everywhere. Grab a hold of a copy of this little gem and join me in spreading the gospel.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

www.themusgravesband.com - Rhythm & Booze

There’s something incredibly uplifting about folk-pop when it’s done right (got to be honest to my ears they are more folk tinged indie-pop, but hey I am splitting hairs) Midlands-based The Musgraves begin their brand new EP “Lost In Familiarity” with the instantly classic “So Sofia” and within seconds you know that you’re listening to something truly great, heartfelt and special.



themusgraves_web1On ’So Sofia’ handclaps, vocals, piano, acoustic guitars and banjo combine thrillingly to grin-inducing, lip-biting, heart-swellingly perfect effect. It’s as infectious and upbeat as a pop song could come, like the first carelessly hopeful rays of sun poking through after the longest of winters. The Musgraves manage to capture concentrated positivity, a sense of fun undercut with the quietest of summer sadness effortlessly.

The melody in ‘Back To Me’ showcases a Mraz-like eye for easy going pop sensibilities and illustrates exactly why Imagem Music (home to Vampire Weekend, Phil Collins and even Britney Spears) came a-knocking this year and picked up band’s signatures on the publishing front. There’s something so genuinely feel-good in The Musgrave’s sound it’s very difficult not to get caught up in it all. The melodies on “Lost In Familiarity” fit singer Matthew Bennett’s voice so naturally, the performances capture such an incredible sense of rightness it’s as if he was born to sing these exact songs. It’s a pretty special sound.

Third track ‘Discover Me’ shows The Musgraves are entirely capable of using their considerable talents for something a little different. The arrangement and harmonies here recall ‘Warnings/Promises’-era Idlewild at their finest. Listen a little closer and you’ll find that ‘Lost In Familiarity’ yields up yet more treasures. There’s an attention to detail in the production that tells of hours of careful deliberation in the recording process. The stabbing piano intro to “Back To Me” and subsequent instrumentation of that song in particular both recalls the classic production of early soul and late 50s/early 60s pop whilst providing a pretty convincing template for what bands like The Ronettes, The Crystals and The Shirelles would have sounded like had they had today’s digital technologies to hand. - www.withguitars.com

“...The freshness and enthusiasm of these musicians has been coupled with mature song writing and a polished production sound rarely found on a debut independent release. The result is folk-infused alt-pop at its best...” - The Line of Best Fit