Pool Of Sound - Courting

The original 4 piece band

Formed at school in October 2018 from the ashes from another band, 'Courting' originally comprised of Sean Murphy-O'Neill on guitar, cowbell and vocals, Sean Thomas on drums and vocals, Michael Downes on guitar and Sam Brennan on bass guitar. Their name came about through Sean Murphy-O'Neill's nan always enquiring whether he was courting and asked again while they were searching for a band name - so that was it. Guitarist Josh Cope, whose Yorkshire accent is the anomaly to the south Liverpool drawl echoing between the four others, joined up while at university.

The band, who write and rehearse in the basement of city restaurant Baltic Social, find inspiration from the creative melting pot of Merseyside. And with fellow locals 'The Mysterines' making waves this could be the dawn for another exciting wave of scouse bands.On one hand 'Courting' draw influences from the likes of 'Parquet Courts', 'Pavement' and 'LCD Soundsystem'.

Their first release 'Not Yr Man' enjoyed a large amount of Spotify spins and several support slots with bands such as 'Heavy Lungs', 'FEET' and 'Sports Team', but their reputation ballooned with the release of their sophomore single, the two minute bundle of indie flavoured joy, 'Football'. Released in January 2020 it was met with great critical reception and got them their first mainstream airplay on both Radio 1 and 6 Music. They then shared a brand new track 'David Byrne's Badside' under Nice Swan Records which lead singer Sean explained has nothing to do with the 'Talking Heads' frontman. "It's about class tourism and the casual racism that exists in Britain today."

The band had a better 2020 than most, releasing two singles, receiving plays on BBC Radio 1, as well as being playlisted on BBC Radio 6 Music and also made the final eight of Glastonbury's emerging talent competition. In August, while restrictions were temporarily eased, they took to Whitewood Studios again to record their debut EP 'Grand National', and in November 2020 released 'Popshop', the first taste of their EP 'Grand National' set to be released in 2021 via renowned indie label Nice Swan Records. Since the release of their early singles, their sound has continued to mature into more adventurous areas with every passing release, adding texture and layers, which make the band one of the most electrifying new bands in the country.This EP, released on the 9th of April 2021 to high acclaim, took the band to a new horizon, with now the addition of University friend, guitarist Josh Cope. Sean Murphy-O'Neill said, "Grand National is our best and last look at Middle England." 

 

2 remixes of the song from 'The Lounge Society' and 'Home Counties' were released shortly after, with each offering their own takes on the song and both offer something unique and fun that stays true to the true spirit of the original. In March 2021 they released the second single and title track from the EP with Steve Lamacq giving 'Grand National' its first play on BBC 6 Music, and not surprisingly the still undisputed King of Indie Radio loved it. They announced their debut headline tour for September 2021 shortly after this release, including an upgrade of their hometown headline venue. Their show has been moved from Phase One Liverpool on Saturday the 8th of May 2021, to the O2 Academy 2 Liverpool on the 17th of September 2021 with all original tickets still being valid. 

see also:- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2021/08/pool-of-sound-ana-mae.html