THEY ARE LOUD, PROUD AND TAKING THE INDIE WORLD BY STORM. TIME YOU DISCOVERED THE AVELONS...
The Avelons (Jack Oldham, Aaron Morrell, James Thomspon and Dylan Sharpe) are a four-piece indie rock band from Newcastle. They are making a name for themselves on the live circuit with their anthemic, guitar-driven sound and sing-a-long choruses. They make songs about ordinary life, of ‘daft nights out’ of ‘drinking’ and the euphoria felt from losing your hears at the drop of a hat to passers by.
They recently played at the Isle of Wight festival and are being championed (quite rightly) by BBC introducing. We hotly tip them for success in 2025, so we thought we’d get to the bottom of their sound, influences and aspirations…
So, How’s it going guys?
It’s going alright Paul. Living the chaotic, non-stop life of the underground band trying to kick the door down. Wouldn’t change it for the world.
How did you get together and what do you hope to achieve?
Through blood, buskers and drunk auditioning drummers. I just want thousands singing along to everything we do. That’s what matters.
Who’s the Clint Eastwood/Spaghetti Western fan (Blondie)?
That’s me, Jack. Yeah it doesn’t get much better than a slab of Guinness with The Good the Bad and the Ugly. Peak patter and soundtrack
‘Since Monday’ has been described as a crossbreed of The LA’s and The Stone Roses (by me), but who do you see as your contemporaries and influences?
Thanks by the way. Easily one of our favourite reviews yet! It varies from track to track and from member to member. I’m brought up on The Clash and everything in that spectrum, but as discussed, I’m trying to broaden influences beyond music. Aaron proper loves Inhaler.
What impact does your home city have on your writing and view of the world?
I like to think we capture the passion and fire of the people of Newcastle. There’s the odd mention of a bar or landmark that is important to us.
Are you ‘angry young men’?
I’m mellowing, but yeah. Those three are.
How would you say your sound has progressed from ‘Barricades’ through to your recent releases?
We feel it’s important to kind of try to push out from the sound of stereotypical indie boy band. I think we generally sound sonically crisper. Again, not many bands are leaning on Sergio Leone as an influence!
How was the Isle of Wight Festival? Still buzzing?
I will never forget it. Just to say we played there man. This Feeling are class for getting us on with a load of other class bands. Spent £400 quid on pints though.
What’s been your career highlight so far?
Isle of Wight is on par with The Cluny. Been to many a great gig in The Cluny as a kid. Now we’ve done it ourselves. What a feeling.
Are you getting set for some stadium sized shows?
I personally was getting ready for that when I was 9 or 10 in the bedroom in front of the mirror. So no, right now we aren’t getting ready for that haha.
(I think) There’s echoes of Paul Weller in your style with your honest approach to song-writing, what theme’s do you want to explore in music or is a more naturalistic ride?
What a compliment. I really believe it starts with an idea. Gotta have substance before you start putting it out there.
When you’ve released songs, do you critique or can you just let them go and find their place in the world?
I think we are better now at letting them find their way. It is tricky though. That little voice of doubt has its days.
You’re making quite a name for yourselves on the live circuit these days, but what was the first ever gig like?
As the four of us? A complete and utter shambles. Not through any fault of our own. We got to the last note as a band as well, pulled each other through the trenches. Such a galvanising experience.
Have you ever been mistakenly booked as The Avalons?
At least 25% of the time!
What would be your dream venue to play? (I see you at Red Rocks on a stormy wind-swept night!)
I wanna play in Borussia Dortmund’s home Stadium to all their nutty fans. That’s an atmosphere.
How do bands get their just rewards for their music. Torch Spotify? Push Soundcloud? How do we get this right?
It’s a deep issue for a bigger money brain than any of ours. When someone has to grab you to tell you they think we are unreal, that’s a canny reward.
Does AI music frighten you or is there room for digital Taylor Swifts at every bus shelter?
Absolutely. Have these kids not seen the Terminator?
What’s the next step?
Wait til you hear this EP…
When’s there an album due?
Ep before the year is out. I am furiously scribbling lyrics as I speak for a bigger follow up next summer.
If you were a book, what would it be called?
‘When are you gonna learn’
What’s on your toast?
Lurpak when I’m feeling flush. Nowt on the dark days.
You wear your Newcastle United shirts with pride, how do feel England have done at the Euro’s? Is Southgate a hero after all?
He got closer than anyone in a long time. I personally like the bloke. I think there were times when the country was screaming for subs and tactic changes, but what do we know. Let’s hope Eddie doesn’t get the job!!
Thanks again for reaching out, it means the world to us lads!
Cheers boys!
