thistle. announce new EP ‘backflip’
The Manchester-based band share new single ‘pieces’.
Photo: Lisa Ooijevaar
Manchester exports thistle. are back and have announced the forthcoming release of their second EP, backflip, with the first single pieces. The EP follows their debut release, it’s nice to see you, stranger, at the beginning of July last year.
After supporting Rocket, touring alongside little grandad for Independent Venue Week, supporting Glasgow’s Humour on their Autumn tour last year, and supporting Westside Cowboy, Witch Post and Man/Woman/Chainsaw, the band — who spent years carving out a name for themselves in the prevalent Northampton scene — are prepared for festival season and a year full of touring and expanding on their already admirable discography.
pieces — the band’s first single of the year — holds onto the sound they’ve established so far, adding synths and acoustic guitar into the mix, creating a sound reminiscent of Ben Gregory’s solo work and, at times, his work in the since disbanded trio Blaenavon, matching his solemn vocals with added angst. Since signing to Macks Faulkron’s label last year, the band have welcomed him on production and mixing, recording the EP in his own studio, REX Studios in London.
When speaking about the single, the trio stated, “The song is about changing yourself to fit other people’s expectations for so long that you’re not really sure who you are anymore.”
To celebrate the EP and perform the new tracks, the band have announced a UK headline tour to coincide with the month of release, taking them to iconic venues like Moth Club in London, Clwb lfor Bach in Cardiff and Rough Trade in Bristol. Alongside their tour dates, the band have been added to the line-up for legendary rock festival 2000trees in July and Brighton Psych Fest in September, with the latter’s line-up already looking unmissable.
backflip Tracklist:
1. pieces
2. pylon
3. backflip in slow motion
4. tied
5. mean eye
6. city,name
UK Tour Dates:
March 28th — Ritual Union Festival, Bristol
April 11th — Homegrown Festival, Brighton
May 7th — Clwb lfor Bach, Cardiff
May 8th — Rat & Pigeon, Manchester
May 10th — SWG3 Poetry Club, Glasgow
May 11th — Sidney & Matilda, Sheffield
May 12th — Rough Trade, Bristol
May 15th — Moth Club, London
May 16th — Joiners, Southampton
May 22nd— Bearded Theory, Derbyshire
July 11th — 2000trees Festival
September 4th — Brighton Psych Fest
September 5th — Brighton Psych Fest
backflip is out May 29th via REX RECS.
