New Band of the Week: Read The Room

Norfolk band Read The Room have crafted an infectious pop-rock sound with elements of alternative rock and emo that they describe as “non-stop bops.”

The Norwich-based quintet of Alana Beardsley-Best (vocals), Adam Hearth and Alex London (guitars), Dan Dawson (bass) and Elle Steel (drums and backing vocals) largely found each other through JoinMyBand. Elle was new to the area and looking for a new project, Dan found her through the website, was impressed with her playing and they worked on a few demo ideas together. They soon discovered Adam and Alex, while Dan knew Alana from a previous covers band so brought her on board to complete the lineup.

And Alana told us: “When we first met up to play we knew we had something wicked and the buzz has not gone away. We all grew up listening to punk rock bangers and we aspire to follow that path. However, this remains an aspiration as I’m learning as I go and just doing what feels natural to me!”

Read The Room released their debut single Jade in September. It opens up with a light guitar ripple that gives way to heavier guitars and returns in a laid-back verse led by Alana’s engaging, echoey vocals. That flows into a big chorus “She’s got that aura that’ll make you wanna dance, Make you think she’s flying at the first glance.”

Another chilled verse is dominated by Alana’s vocals before a lively chorus that continues into the lively vocals “My girl, my girl, she’s got it, she’s got the power that’ll tear down these walls, My girl, my girl, there’s no other place I’d rather be than, With you, with you, I’ll never take you for granted, My girl, my girl, she’ll make you feel alive.” Repeats of “alive” drop into the light opening guitar then chunky guitars tee up a big lively outro.

On the track, Alana said: “The response has been overwhelming! The feedback has been that it’s a hell of an earworm, and people are quick to add it to their playlists which we are so grateful for.”

And Dan added: “The video for Jade was an effortless day of fun and really elevated the camaraderie of the band. The pizzas at the end were a welcome sight.” Check it out in the video here:

Jade is also the opening track of Read The Room’s debut EP, A Place Like No Other, which was released at the start of last month. It’s followed by the equally catchy Same Old Story, which kicks off with a jaunty riff and driving drums that flow into an edgy verse. The pace slows down in a delicate verse “I’m hurting but convince myself its for the best, You reach out and you change your defensive tone, Said you’ll be there no matter what, Do anything to have me so come see me.” A chorus gives way to engaging vocals over chunky guitars before a final blast of the chorus. Check it out in the enjoyable video here:

That’s followed by the EP’s title track, which flies into a lively opening verse then a funky little lick and driving drums support engaging vocals. That builds up to a powerful chorus, which drops into a mellow section of light guitars and delicate vocals that flow into another big chorus. The pace suddenly drops and the light vocal “a place like no other” is followed by fast-paced guitars and drums and more intense vocals to bring the track to a big conclusion.

The EP concludes with the intense Chemical Glow, which features a cool driving riff that sets up an atmospheric outro, and excellent final track Don’t Look Back.

Speaking ahead of the EP release, Dan told us: “We cannot wait for the EP to come out. We’re doing a short CD run with Norvic records too, something for die-hard fans to grab at future shows! The EP is a mix of ideas, every member of the band wrote the core of at least one track, but I’m very pleased that something coherent emerged from that process!”

The Read The Room sound has been influenced by its members’ love of “punk rock bangers,” plus Dan’s instrumental love of the likes of Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters and Blink-182. In his words: “I grew up playing everything they put out – going to one of their shows I’d hope for a (minor) setback for the bass player and an announcement over the PA asking if anyone knows the parts…”

And on what inspires them to write music, Alana told us: “I try and be as authentic as possible, attempting to quieten the voice inside my head that makes me feel vulnerable, as I hope people can relate to it while making something I’m proud of.”

And Alex added: “While we have a mutual love of 90s/2000s rock, we each bring an interest in differing genres to the table, pulling our sound in a direction that none of us would have achieved individually.”

You can see Read The Room at The Empire (Viper Room) in Great Yarmouth on 25 November alongside Jehenna and Manners & Profanity (more info here). The band are already busy writing and recording new material, so keep your ear out for new music shortly.

You can follow Read The Room on Facebook and Instagram, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer and YouTube.