I think it has been about 10 years since we heard from Torquay band Big Wave. Anyone remembers them? They played Indietracks in 2013, and London Popfest that same year.

The band was formed by flatmates: Ella on vocals and guitar, Rik on guitar, Matt on drums, Pete on bass and Mel on keyboards.

They took their name from a song called “Big Wave” by Jenny and Johnny.

The band released just a few records and appeared on some compilations. So maybe you don’t remember them. But the good thing is that their Bandcamp has all their releases. There’s a Soundcloud too but that has way many less songs.

I think the first time we heard about them was in 2011 when their song “Wild Strawberries” was on the CD compilation “Dry Route to Devon” released by Art is Hard Records (AIH005).

That same year the band released the EP “Another Year or Two” that included the songs “Another Year or Two”, “The Rosenbergs” and “Wild Strawberries”. There was a video made for “Another Year or Two” worth checking out!

In 2012 the band would release a tape album on Soft Power Records from Scotland. “The Roots of Love (Come Tumbling Down)” (SOFT007) had 5 songs: “Circumstance”, “Blissed Out”, “The Roots of Love (Come Tumbling Down)”, “Another Year or Two” and “Leavers Party”. You would find the same songs on the A side and also on the B side. The edition was limited tom 100 tapes, 50 white cassettes and 50 pink cassettes. Out of these songs the band decided to make a video for the song “Circumstance“.

“Only You” was the first and only vinyl release by the band, also in 2012. Released by Beautiful Strange (BS005) on November of that year. It included the title song on the A side and “Living Room” on the B side. Both songs were recorded at Middle Farm Studios in South Devon and were produced, mixed and mastered by James Bragg. This superb track on the A side also has a video.

There was a very interesting release that year too, “Dying on the Vine”. This song was part of the Pizza box collection of Art is Hard Records. Recorded by James Bragg at Middle Farm Studios, I believe the release came out in a pizza box actually and had catalog number PIZZAIH17. The band continued making videos, so of course there is one for “Dying on the Vine“.

The band made a video with London on the Inside, an interview. There they share some interesting details about them.

Lastly in 2013 the band released a cassingle with “Goldmine” on the A side and “GW Bridge” on the flipside. It came out in Art is Hard Records (AIH019) and was recorded at Middle Farm Studios, again with James Bragg producing, mixing and mastering. Video this time for “Goldmine“.

“GW Bridge” would also appear on a double cassette compilation called “Bleed in Gold” released by Art is Hard (AIH023) in 2013. This tape was a celebration of the label’s 3rd anniversary and had some great bands like Joanna Gruesome or The Black Tambourines.

When it comes to gig we know the band played the End of the Road festival, the Lemonfest, Knee Deep Festival 2012 in Cornwall, Dance of Days Fes in Falmouth in 2012, Start the Bus, One World Cafe, the 27 Club with Fire Island Pines, The Buffalo Bar, the Brixton Windmill, The Cavern in Exeter, The George Tavern with Evans the Death, Model Village and Violet Woods, toured with the Magnetic Fields, supported Metronomy and Tender Trap

The band made merch including tote bags and t-shirts.

And then they sort of disappeared?

Where are they now? Still playing in bands?

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Listen
Big Wave – Only You