Northern Irish quartet BRAND NEW FRIEND release a new single 'Girl' today, Tuesday 6th February. This is the first track to be taken from their debut album 'Seatbelts for Aeroplanes' which comes out on 27th April 2018 on Xtra Mile Recordings. The 13 track album was recorded with producer Rocky O'Reilly at the end of 2017 and is a collection of classic catchy pop rock tunes celebrating their youthful exuberance and excitement. The band will also be heading out on tour with Pretty Vicious in March before slotting in their own dates for later this spring.
The band, who began as a duo with brother and sister Taylor and Lauren Johnson started off playing and writing when Taylor received his first guitar for doing well in his GSCE's. After releasing an EP 'American Wives' they hooked up with Aaron Milligan (bass) and Luke Harris (drums) and developed a fuller, punchier sound which transformed the gigs they had been playing to much more energetic affairs. Playing their first Irish tour in January 2017, they soon followed on with shows on the BBC Introducing Stage at Hull (during its City of Culture year), festivals and support slots with local bands. In the meantime BBC Radio Ulster and Radio 1 were taking note and giving support and the new year kicked off with a sold out show at the Duke of York in Belfast.
The video for 'Girl' was shot at the Duke Of York gig and perfectly encapsulates the youthful energy, fun and thrill of a Brand New Friend gig.
On 'Girl', Taylor explains: "'Girl' was written after my little brother and I went for a swim in the sea late one Summer night. We were singing 60's songs like 'I Love How You Love Me' by The Paris Sisters and I loved how beautifully simple the lyrics were, it left a real impression on me. It's about falling for a girl at school and the innocent, blissful, total devotion that follows. You want to tell the world you love them, write their name into the blue."
Tracklisting: Mediocre At Best / Seatbelts For Aeroplanes / I Was An Astronaut / Milk Chews / Slow Why Are You So Tired / Sleep On My Floor / I Hate It When You Have to Go / Girl / A + E I Love You, Goodbye / The Blame / Cold
UK tour (with Pretty Vicious) 7 March MANCHESTER, Soup Kitchen 8 March EDINBURGH, Sneak Petes 9 March BARROW IN FURNESS, Underground Music Society (headline show) 10 March CARDIFF, Club Ifor Bach 12 March LEEDS, Lending Room 13 March BRISTOL, Louisina 14 March SOUTHAMPTON, Joiners 15 March LONDON, Borderline
Irish tour (headline) 20 April OMAGH, Top of the Town 26 April DERRY, Sandinos 27 April PORTRUSH, Kiwi's 28 April BELFAST, Black Box - headline show
