The Shallows

“Fairly True” is the first single from a series of EPs to be released in the forthcoming months by The Shallows. The song is a good, and hopefully telling, beginning from the four piece out of London. It begins with a rhythmic groove accented by an interlocking bass and drum beat. While the guitars repeat their two chord phrases, the bass modulates and pulls the listener forward, as if it were the tires on an old bike, beginning a journey with a short jaunt through amber leaves. As the guitars decay, a new scene begins in the first verse. Michael Rendall (Bass) and Timmy Rickard (Drums) come out of the intro with the groove in tact, and are met by Tom Skelton’s (Lead Vocals/Guitar) smooth vocals. His subtle British timbre conjures a calm dissonance similar to contemporaries like Wave Machines, or even a youthful Foals.

Near to home
this world is not my own
and it’s clearly nearly gone
unless we’re on our own
in the dark I get this feeling
I got the same got the same got the same,
defensive kind of game

Skelton comments on his distaste for something, or more particularly, someone. He reveals that he may be guilty of the very attributes of which he is displeased with in his muse. As the song intensifies, the band moves into the pre-chorus, where Skelton claims:

I’m on to you
I get the story

The chorus erupts from the previous section with soaring guitars reminiscent of bands like Kings of Leon, or the poppy Two Door Cinema Club. It all becomes a culmination of the instruments and energy of the band, as if to finalize the ascent up a hill with the swell of tambourines, guitars, and chanting vocals that are playfully catchy. The old bike in tow, sun shining gloriously over the rims of a pair of vintage shades, The Shallows can surely take the listener for a ride.

In short; get the song, ride a bike, have a good time.

Rating: 4/5 Stars! - Indie Music Reviewer

“Fairly True” is the first single from a series of EPs to be released in the forthcoming months by The Shallows. The song is a good, and hopefully telling, beginning from the four piece out of London. It begins with a rhythmic groove accented by an interlocking bass and drum beat. While the guitars repeat their two chord phrases, the bass modulates and pulls the listener forward, as if it were the tires on an old bike, beginning a journey with a short jaunt through amber leaves. As the guitars decay, a new scene begins in the first verse. Michael Rendall (Bass) and Timmy Rickard (Drums) come out of the intro with the groove in tact, and are met by Tom Skelton’s (Lead Vocals/Guitar) smooth vocals. His subtle British timbre conjures a calm dissonance similar to contemporaries like Wave Machines, or even a youthful Foals.

Near to home
this world is not my own
and it’s clearly nearly gone
unless we’re on our own
in the dark I get this feeling
I got the same got the same got the same,
defensive kind of game

Skelton comments on his distaste for something, or more particularly, someone. He reveals that he may be guilty of the very attributes of which he is displeased with in his muse. As the song intensifies, the band moves into the pre-chorus, where Skelton claims:

I’m on to you
I get the story

The chorus erupts from the previous section with soaring guitars reminiscent of bands like Kings of Leon, or the poppy Two Door Cinema Club. It all becomes a culmination of the instruments and energy of the band, as if to finalize the ascent up a hill with the swell of tambourines, guitars, and chanting vocals that are playfully catchy. The old bike in tow, sun shining gloriously over the rims of a pair of vintage shades, The Shallows can surely take the listener for a ride.

In short; get the song, ride a bike, have a good time.

Rating: 4/5 Stars! - Indie Music Reviewer

London Band The Shallows Drop Debut EP; Featured on BBC

London is dropping plenty of DIY releases in the past week. We have yet another album that was sent to us this past week from London, but this one is on the lighter side of rock. The Shallows are an unsigned indie rock/pop band that just formed this year, and already they have a four-track EP out, About Time Vol. 1. The band sent in two tracks to share, “Fairly True” and “Win or Lose.” In July, “Fair True” was featured on the BBC Radio 6 mixtape series by Tom Robinson called “BBC Introducing,” an award-winning radio show. The song has a rhythmic groove with repeating guitar chords, and dynamic percussion.

The band consists of young musicians Tom Skelton (guitar, lead vocals), Russ Cragg (guitar), Michael Rendall (bass) and Timmy Rickard (drums). Their own website’s About page, the band offers no details about themselves, but rather some philosophical observations that basically say nothing substantive. The information we were able to find came from a few different sources, including IndieRockReviewer.com, which said of “Fair True”: “The chorus erupts…with soaring guitars reminiscent of bands like Kings of Leon, or the poppy Two Door Cinema.” Just so happens the band considers Two Door Cinema Club a major musical influence, in addition to The Strokes, The Bird and the Bee, and The Beatles. Visit The Shallows’ official website. - Indie Rock Cafe

The Shallows are a 4 piece straight up indie band from London.

The line up is Tom Skelton(songwriter,lead vox and guitar) ,Michael Rendall (songwriter,bass, keys, bv’s.),Russ Cragg(guitar and bv’s) & Timmy Rickard(drums and bv’s)-Gotta love everyone taking some vocal duties:).

They have released a debut e.p -‘About Time Vol.1' with 2 more e.p’s planned in the near future.

They first came to FOTN’s attention when they submitted their corker of a tune-’Fairly True’ to our listening post,which resulted in BBC Introducing Mixtape airplay for the same song via our own main man & champion of new music Tom Robinson.

This was recently followed by ‘Honestly’ being voted into our Fresh Faves only the week before last,nice going guys.




I really like what they do and if they can repeatedly produce songs of the quality of ‘Fairly True’ then we will be hearing a lot more of these boys.

They have drive,they have spirit,they are cocky and they make great music.They kick up some noise and leave plenty of dust in their wake.

Tom’s voice is the gem at the centre of their driving sound,very English & very infectious.
Check out the saucy little video to Fairly True below(and have your Love Hearts at the ready;).


Word reaches us that they are cutting quite a dash on the live circuit too.Worth checking out on the next couple of dates

09. 11. 12 – Barfly, Camden, LDN

14. 11. 12 – Enterprise, Camden, LDN

Find them online Website Soundcloud Facebook Twitter

1. What are you up to at the moment?
We’ve just released out debut EP “About Time Vol.1?. It’s the first instalment of three EPs that we’re hoping to get out before the end of year. Other than that, doing some gigs around London, we’ve got a couple of videos coming up. We’re also back in the studio writing new material, eating some cake, drinking some Ribena.

2. Favourite childhood memory?
Meeting Jet from Gladiators and Terry Nutkins from The Really Wild Show.

3. Hero?
Bruce Willis

4. Villain?
Skeletor

5. What/who makes you laugh?
Larry David, curb your enthusiasm is the best show on the planet.

6. Describe what you do?
We’re a four piece straight up indie band.

7. Who’s hair would you like to have for just one day?
Gandalf the grey. Imagine how relaxing stroking that beard would be.

8. Best musical experience to date
We went out to Spain at the start of the year to record our EP’s. It was the first of January 2012, blue skies, sunshine, studio 24/7 what else could be better.

9. What artist inspires you?
The Strokes, Two Door Cinema Club, Bird and The Bee, Neu, too many to mention.

10. What does Fresh On The Net mean to you?
It’s a really important place to hear new music and get inspired.
- Fresh On The Net