Band looking to be the King of punk-pop
ABAND hailed as the next big thing have spoken of their hopes for the year.
Spring King, which features Macclesfield’s Peter Darlington, are tipped for success in 2016.
The pop-punk four piece had a whirlwind year last year thanks in part to DJ Zane Lowe using their single ‘City’ to launch Apple’s radio sta- tion Beats 1.
Peter, 27, of London Road, said it gave them a global audience.
He said: “I was working as a baker in Flour Water Salt on Chestergate and started getting calls on my mobile from friends saying Zane had played ‘City’.
“It just went mental after that and we were getting calls from all over the world. It really gave us global exposure and allowed us to share our music.”
Peter’s bandmates are fellow former Fallibroome Academy student Tarek Musa and friends Andy Morton and James Green.
Peter and Tarek have been writing and recording together since they were 13.
After studying at university the duo decided to try and make a success of the band and Spring King was born.
In March, BBC Introducing took the band to the South By South West music conference. This was followed by a support slot with Grammy-nomi- nated Courtney Barnett, an experience which really helped the band develop a live presence.
Peter said: “Playing in front of 900 people every night was an amazing experience. It was a big step up for us.
“A lot is said about the disconnection between a band and a large audience, but there is joy to be had taking on that size of crowd. You’ve got to embrace it.”
The boys played most of the summer music festi- vals, winning some new fans, and released an EP on the Handsome Dad label. Then after spending the autumn touring they got into the studio to start recording a first album, with Tarek as producer.
Peter, whose granddad Ron is a retired music teacher from King’s School, said: “Capturing the raw energy of the moment rather than the perfect take is something that has stuck with us from when we first started playing and recording music. We owe that approach to our music teacher Mark Payne at Fallibroome.
“We did something like 100 shows last year and I suspect next year will be double that. It’s hard work but it’s amazing.”
To listen to the music and read more, visit the band’s website springkingband.com.