2013 was an incredible year for Lonely The Brave, the local rock five-piece who’ve gone from gigging at The Portland Arms to performing at the Leeds and Reading Festivals, recording a session for Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show and supporting their heroes, Deftones.
They started the year by landing a record deal, and released their EP, Backroads, in the autumn. Now the boys – who all hail from Cambridgeshire – are on their debut headline tour, concluding with a homecoming gig at Cambridge Junction this month.
“I can’t wait,” says guitarist Mark Trotter, “having our own headline show there will be amazing. It’s the last date of the tour and all our friends will be there; it’s great to see faces you recognise. There’s always something really special about a homecoming show. “Last year was nuts,” he continues. “We did Reading, Leeds, Download… it was unbelievable. Once we’d signed with Hassle records it all picked up, more than we’d ever thought. We’ve been really fortunate with all that’s happened so far and it just seems to be going faster and faster.”
If you’re wondering what they sound like, think epic, anthemic tunes and thoughtful lyrics with nods to Pearl Jam and The National. “It’s rock music if you want to pigeonhole it, but they’re just honest, heartfelt songs,” explains Mark. Have a listen to their single, Trick of the Light, here…
The boys met on the local live music scene, playing in other bands before they joined up to form Lonely The Brave. “Cambridge has a really strong music scene – there are a lot of talented people about,” admits Mark. “We’ve been involved with it forever so we know almost everyone. The only thing that lets Cambridge down these days are the venues. There aren’t any mid-level venues any more, so after The Portland you’ve only really got Cambridge Junction or the Corn Exchange, and you have to be a big band to fill those places.”
As for the name, no-one quite knows its origin: “We don’t know where it came from!” laughs Mark. “Someone asked if it was based on the film Lonely Are the Brave, but we’ve never even seen it. But we like names that can be taken two ways, and kind of fits with what we do musically.”
Mark’s referring in part to LTB’s unusual performance set-up, which sees their frontman taking a more back seat approach. Mark explains: “Dave [LTB’s lead vocalist] stands at the back, by the drums, and sings from there. Some people think it’s a gimmick, but that’s just where he’s always stood and that’s where he’s comfortable!”
Lonely The Brave play Cambridge Junction at 8pm, 8 February. Sold out.
