Times Red

Times Red are a three piece made up of Scott Ritchie (vocal), Staz Nair (vocal, songwriter and keys) and Luke White (supporting vocal, writer and beat-boxer). They were first seen on last year’s X Factor, where a naughty bit of hotel etiquette saw them feature in the tabloids, before failing to make the final 12. That could be seen as a good thing – and there certainly seems to be a determination behind them to be taken seriously now.

They have been compared musically to the likes of The Script and Maroon 5 – but their debut single is more like Olly Murs meets Jason Mraz. Full of “whoa whoa’s”, it’s a good bet to be a summer hit, given a bit of luck and the right airplay. Bright and breezy it has a reggae style beat with Ritchie’s lead vocal containing the modern-day pre-requisite of a slight American lilt.

Writing all of their own material whilst learning from the experience that gained them mass exposure, Times Red are releasing songs, with the support of virtual music label R&R Music headed by Eric Nicoli, former CEO of the EMI Group, who was blown away by Times Red when he saw them perform live. It’s those live shows where they are said to be at their best. At the moment they are lower profile gigs at sporting events, but with this single that might change.