A Cautionary Tale

Not many people remember Lowgold. In fact, not many people will even have heard of Lowgold. But about 4 years ago, they were going to be massive. It was all there ahead of them and, as Anthony from Big Brother would say, it was textbook. Their first release was the stupendous 108EP (note EP not single for added indie cool points) with the glorious lead track In Amber. Then their anthem Beauty Dies Young was the second single and everyone swooned at it's loveliness. Just as Coldplay were taking their first few steps on their route to world domination, the 'gold were added to their UK tour as support. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty, as Terry Venables might say.

It all went so spectacularly badly wrong that it's almost an object lesson in the downside of being a signed band. The full, terrible story is here, but the short version is record company bancruptcy and a band personally owing something in the region of £60,000 and not even allowed to use their instruments!

In true, stiff upper lip fashion and incredibly quite frankly, the band soldiered on despite this and managed to get another record deal. Sadly, not many people were very interested in this second album and again they were dropped.

The reason I'm writing all this is because, for a brief time, Lowgold were my favourite band. I went to see them live at every opportunity, and the two albums are things of beauty. And, as it turns out, they're back!(etc) for a third try, God love 'em.

If you go here, you can find an interview with the band backstage before their most recent gig. It's really quite sad. Especially the bit where the interviewer asks them what they've been doing since the last album's release and gets the answer "office admin, bus driving." Beware ye young bands.

Their new album - "Keep Music Miserable" - will be out at the end of August.