Maybeshewill
Encyclopedia
Maybeshewill are an instrumental band from Leicester
, United Kingdom
whose music is characterised by the use of programmed and sampled electronic elements alongside guitars, bass and drums.
Maybeshewill has seen a number of musicians come and go, but core members Robin Southby, John Helps and James Collins have been with the band since their first tour and album.
Records in 2006 with Tanya Byrne on bass guitar and Lawrie Malen on drums. The 4-track EP
was well received by the press and attracted the attention of Nottingham's Field Records
(also home to Public Relations Exercise
) who released "The Paris Hilton Sex Tape" (taken from the record) as part of a split 7" single with Ann Arbor later that year. In August 2006 a re-mastered version of Japanese Spy Transcript was released in Japan
on the XTAL label (also home to Yndi halda
and You Slut!) which was set up specifically for the release by The Media Factory
Group. Shortly after this release the band dissolved temporarily.
In May 2007, John and Robin began working with drummer James Collins (formerly a member of Fight Fire With Water) and bassist Andrew Jackson, along with a number of guest vocalists and musicians on an album entitled Not for Want of Trying. The record was released on Monday 12 May 2008 through Field Records, and was chosen by BBC Radio 1
DJ Huw Stephens
as his album of the week in its release week. 'The Paris Hilton Sex Tape' also featured on the cover CD of June's edition of Rock Sound
magazine.
Thirteen months later on 7 June 2009, the band released their second LP Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony through Field Records, with Victoria Sztuka taking Andrew Jacksons place on bass guitar. This was a heavier record which saw them continue to try to break away from the post-rock
tag with which they are often labelled. The record was received well by both press and fans alike, but did receive some criticism for failing to depart substantially enough from the band's established sound.
After the release of Sing The Word Hope, The band returned to the three-piece line-up of James Collins, John Helps and Robin Southby. They were joined in 2009 by Jamie Ward, a former member of Kyte
and Tired Irie who was to guide the recording session for their third album, as well as filling the vacant role of bassist.
As of August 2009 the band are known to be working on an album for release in 2011.
Maybeshewill tour very regularly across the UK, Europe and Asia. This has seen them pair up with Lite
, &U&I, Fight Fire With Water, worriedaboutsatan
, And So I Watch You From Afar
, Death Of London and Cats & Cats & Cats on various excursions. They have also appeared at Summer Sundae Weekender, Truck Festival
, Brainwash Festival 2000 Trees, Hockley Hustle and Dot To Dot.
, and are learning to do the jobs that would normally be performed by managers and booking agents themselves. Up until December 2010 they had booked all their tours 'in-house' and recorded all their music themselves using borrowed equipment and spare rooms. The band have claimed in interviews that they wanted to prove that it's possible to make music without spending any money. In the liner notes of Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony they published a brief guide to the approach that they take, as well as information on how they go about recording everything themselves.
Although not a 'political' band as such, many of the samples and song-titles within their music hint at broadly left-wing, somewhat socialist or idealistic ideas. For example This Time Last Year from Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony
uses a sample from I Heart Huckabees in which the characters discuss whether a desire to preserve open space is a socialist idea, and the same album's title track includes a long monologue bemoaning the state of the society, but praising the community in which the band exists and suggesting hope for the future.
described them as sounding "like Mogwai would if the latter had ever found love in an arthouse cinema. And then were beaten around the head with a keyboard". Comparisons have also been made with Sigur Rós
, and 65daysofstatic
were often mentioned by reviewers as a likely influence on their earlier work. Their tracks often include samples of film or other dialogue; "Not for Want of Trying" contains a sample from Network
, while Sing the Word Hope in Four Part Harmony includes samples of broadcaster Edward R. Murrow
, and excerpts from Young Winston
.
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
whose music is characterised by the use of programmed and sampled electronic elements alongside guitars, bass and drums.
Maybeshewill has seen a number of musicians come and go, but core members Robin Southby, John Helps and James Collins have been with the band since their first tour and album.
History
Maybeshewill was formed by guitarists Robin Southby and John Helps whilst the pair were studying together at university in 2005. They released their first record Japanese Spy Transcript on the band's own label, Robot Needs HomeRobot Needs Home
Robot Needs Home is a British, Leicester-based, non-profit independent record label, booking agent, and PR company, which mainly handles the releases of a collection of bands from around the East Midlands, but has since grown to encompass artists from further afield.Robot Needs Home is a trading...
Records in 2006 with Tanya Byrne on bass guitar and Lawrie Malen on drums. The 4-track EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
was well received by the press and attracted the attention of Nottingham's Field Records
Field Records
Field Records is a British, Nottingham-based independent record label featuring bands such as Ann Arbor, Karhide, Alright the Captain, Kasper rosa, LaFaro, Khuda, Public Relations Exercise, Princess, and Maybeshewill.The label is run by Tim Waterfield....
(also home to Public Relations Exercise
Public Relations Exercise
Public Relations Exercise were a Leicester, England based post-hardcore/alternative rock group. A five-piece combining aspects of screamo and math rock, layered with penetrative and socially observant lyrics.-History:...
) who released "The Paris Hilton Sex Tape" (taken from the record) as part of a split 7" single with Ann Arbor later that year. In August 2006 a re-mastered version of Japanese Spy Transcript was released in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on the XTAL label (also home to Yndi halda
Yndi halda
Yndi Halda is a post-rock band from Canterbury, England. 'Yndi Halda' is Old Norse for "Enjoy Eternal Bliss", also the name of their self-titled debut...
and You Slut!) which was set up specifically for the release by The Media Factory
Media Factory
is a Japanese publisher. It was founded on December 1, 1986, and its headquarters are situated in Shibuya, Tokyo. It is a subsidiary of Recruit Co., Ltd...
Group. Shortly after this release the band dissolved temporarily.
In May 2007, John and Robin began working with drummer James Collins (formerly a member of Fight Fire With Water) and bassist Andrew Jackson, along with a number of guest vocalists and musicians on an album entitled Not for Want of Trying. The record was released on Monday 12 May 2008 through Field Records, and was chosen by BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
DJ Huw Stephens
Huw Stephens
Huw Stephens is a radio presenter currently broadcasting shows on BBC Radio 1.-Early life and career:Stephens was born in Cardiff, Wales, the son of the author and literary journalist Meic Stephens...
as his album of the week in its release week. 'The Paris Hilton Sex Tape' also featured on the cover CD of June's edition of Rock Sound
Rock Sound
Rock Sound is a British magazine which champions rock music. The magazine aims at being more "underground" and less commercial, whilst also giving coverage to more well known acts.-History:...
magazine.
Thirteen months later on 7 June 2009, the band released their second LP Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony through Field Records, with Victoria Sztuka taking Andrew Jacksons place on bass guitar. This was a heavier record which saw them continue to try to break away from the post-rock
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
tag with which they are often labelled. The record was received well by both press and fans alike, but did receive some criticism for failing to depart substantially enough from the band's established sound.
After the release of Sing The Word Hope, The band returned to the three-piece line-up of James Collins, John Helps and Robin Southby. They were joined in 2009 by Jamie Ward, a former member of Kyte
Kyte
Kyte are an electronic indie pop group, from Leicestershire, England.Kyte comprise Nick Moon , Tom Lowe , Scott Hislop . Their earlier musical output was often labelled shoegazing and post rock but they have since moved into a more electro and pop influenced sound...
and Tired Irie who was to guide the recording session for their third album, as well as filling the vacant role of bassist.
As of August 2009 the band are known to be working on an album for release in 2011.
Maybeshewill tour very regularly across the UK, Europe and Asia. This has seen them pair up with Lite
Lite
Lite is a variant spelling of "light", a concept of weight, and may refer to:*Diet food or diet beverages:**Diet soda, a diet version of soda pop**Low-alcohol beer or low-calorie beer ***Miller Lite, a brand of light beer...
, &U&I, Fight Fire With Water, worriedaboutsatan
Worriedaboutsatan
Worriedaboutsatan are an electronica band who originated in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:The band comprises of charismatic front-man Gavin Miller and rhythm master Tom Ragsdale, who met whilst both attending Leeds College of Music in 2005...
, And So I Watch You From Afar
And So I Watch You From Afar
And So I Watch You From Afar are a three-piece instrumental rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. The band consists of Rory Friers on guitar, Johnny Adger on bass and Chris Wee on drums...
, Death Of London and Cats & Cats & Cats on various excursions. They have also appeared at Summer Sundae Weekender, Truck Festival
Truck Festival
Truck Festival is an annual independent music festival in Oxfordshire, England. It was started in 1998 by the Bennett family , who decided that mainstream festivals such as Glastonbury had become too commercial and predictable. It is held in July at Hill Farm in Steventon, near Abingdon...
, Brainwash Festival 2000 Trees, Hockley Hustle and Dot To Dot.
Ethics and ethos
The band have stated in a number of interviews that they are concerned about the state of the mainstream music industry and as such continue to work with 'DIY' label Field Records, release a lot of their music themselves through Robot Needs HomeRobot Needs Home
Robot Needs Home is a British, Leicester-based, non-profit independent record label, booking agent, and PR company, which mainly handles the releases of a collection of bands from around the East Midlands, but has since grown to encompass artists from further afield.Robot Needs Home is a trading...
, and are learning to do the jobs that would normally be performed by managers and booking agents themselves. Up until December 2010 they had booked all their tours 'in-house' and recorded all their music themselves using borrowed equipment and spare rooms. The band have claimed in interviews that they wanted to prove that it's possible to make music without spending any money. In the liner notes of Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony they published a brief guide to the approach that they take, as well as information on how they go about recording everything themselves.
Although not a 'political' band as such, many of the samples and song-titles within their music hint at broadly left-wing, somewhat socialist or idealistic ideas. For example This Time Last Year from Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony
Sing the Word Hope in Four-Part Harmony
Sing the Word Hope in Four-Part Harmony is the second full-length album by the UK instrumental rock band Maybeshewill, released in June 2009.- Track listing :...
uses a sample from I Heart Huckabees in which the characters discuss whether a desire to preserve open space is a socialist idea, and the same album's title track includes a long monologue bemoaning the state of the society, but praising the community in which the band exists and suggesting hope for the future.
Musical style
The band have described their sound as "instrumental rock with electronics", while Drowned in SoundDrowned in Sound
DrownedinSound.com or DiS is a UK based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway . The site is an editorially independent music website.-History:...
described them as sounding "like Mogwai would if the latter had ever found love in an arthouse cinema. And then were beaten around the head with a keyboard". Comparisons have also been made with Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós is an Icelandic post-rock band with classicaland minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound, and frontman Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto vocals and use of bowed guitar. In January 2010, the band announced that they will be on hiatus. Since then, it has since been announced...
, and 65daysofstatic
65daysofstatic
65daysofstatic are an instrumental post-rock and math rock band from Sheffield, England comprising Paul Wolinski, Joe Shrewsbury, Rob Jones and Simon Wright...
were often mentioned by reviewers as a likely influence on their earlier work. Their tracks often include samples of film or other dialogue; "Not for Want of Trying" contains a sample from Network
Network (film)
Network is a 1976 American satirical film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer about a fictional television network, Union Broadcasting System , and its struggle with poor ratings. The film was written by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Sidney Lumet...
, while Sing the Word Hope in Four Part Harmony includes samples of broadcaster Edward R. Murrow
Edward R. Murrow
Edward Roscoe Murrow, KBE was an American broadcast journalist. He first came to prominence with a series of radio news broadcasts during World War II, which were followed by millions of listeners in the United States and Canada.Fellow journalists Eric Sevareid, Ed Bliss, and Alexander Kendrick...
, and excerpts from Young Winston
Young Winston
Young Winston is a 1972 British film based on the early years of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.The film was based on the book My Early Life: A Roving Commission by Winston Churchill. The first part of the film covers Churchill's unhappy schooldays, up to the death of his father...
.
Current members
- James Collins (Drums)
- Matthew Daly (Keyboards)
- John Helps (Guitar)
- Robin Southby (Guitar)
- Jamie Ward (Bass)
Former members
- Victoria Sztuka (bass)
- Andy Jackson (bass)
- Dave Voss (drums)
- Lawrie Malen (drums)
- Tanya Byrne (bass)
- Kris Tearse (drums)
- Scott West (guitar)
Albums
- Not For Want of Trying (Field RecordsField RecordsField Records is a British, Nottingham-based independent record label featuring bands such as Ann Arbor, Karhide, Alright the Captain, Kasper rosa, LaFaro, Khuda, Public Relations Exercise, Princess, and Maybeshewill.The label is run by Tim Waterfield....
UK & EU, XTALXtalXtal may refer to the following:* Crystal oscillator * Xtal, a track on the album Selected Ambient Works 85–92 by Aphex Twin...
JP) (May 2008)
- Sing the Word Hope in Four-Part HarmonySing the Word Hope in Four-Part HarmonySing the Word Hope in Four-Part Harmony is the second full-length album by the UK instrumental rock band Maybeshewill, released in June 2009.- Track listing :...
(Field RecordsField RecordsField Records is a British, Nottingham-based independent record label featuring bands such as Ann Arbor, Karhide, Alright the Captain, Kasper rosa, LaFaro, Khuda, Public Relations Exercise, Princess, and Maybeshewill.The label is run by Tim Waterfield....
UK & EU, XTALXtalXtal may refer to the following:* Crystal oscillator * Xtal, a track on the album Selected Ambient Works 85–92 by Aphex Twin...
JP) (June 2009)
- I Was Here For a Moment, Then I Was Gone (May 2011)
Singles and Minor Releases
- Ann Arbor / Maybeshewill Split (7" Single) (Field RecordsField RecordsField Records is a British, Nottingham-based independent record label featuring bands such as Ann Arbor, Karhide, Alright the Captain, Kasper rosa, LaFaro, Khuda, Public Relations Exercise, Princess, and Maybeshewill.The label is run by Tim Waterfield....
) (July 2006)
- Seraphim & Cherubim / Heartflusters (CD-R Single) (Robot Needs HomeRobot Needs HomeRobot Needs Home is a British, Leicester-based, non-profit independent record label, booking agent, and PR company, which mainly handles the releases of a collection of bands from around the East Midlands, but has since grown to encompass artists from further afield.Robot Needs Home is a trading...
) (September 2007)
- Anti-Semantics: The Remixes Vol. 1 (CD-R EP) (Robot Needs HomeRobot Needs HomeRobot Needs Home is a British, Leicester-based, non-profit independent record label, booking agent, and PR company, which mainly handles the releases of a collection of bands from around the East Midlands, but has since grown to encompass artists from further afield.Robot Needs Home is a trading...
) (May 2008)
- Amateur Grammatics: The Remixes Vol. 2 (CD-R EP) (Robot Needs HomeRobot Needs HomeRobot Needs Home is a British, Leicester-based, non-profit independent record label, booking agent, and PR company, which mainly handles the releases of a collection of bands from around the East Midlands, but has since grown to encompass artists from further afield.Robot Needs Home is a trading...
) (October 2008)
- Maybeshewill / Her Name is Calla Split (12" Single) (Field RecordsField RecordsField Records is a British, Nottingham-based independent record label featuring bands such as Ann Arbor, Karhide, Alright the Captain, Kasper rosa, LaFaro, Khuda, Public Relations Exercise, Princess, and Maybeshewill.The label is run by Tim Waterfield....
) (November 2008)
- "The Remixes 2005 - 2010" (CD-R Album) (Robot Needs HomeRobot Needs HomeRobot Needs Home is a British, Leicester-based, non-profit independent record label, booking agent, and PR company, which mainly handles the releases of a collection of bands from around the East Midlands, but has since grown to encompass artists from further afield.Robot Needs Home is a trading...
) (April 2010)
- To The Skies From A Hillside (7" Single) (Field RecordsField RecordsField Records is a British, Nottingham-based independent record label featuring bands such as Ann Arbor, Karhide, Alright the Captain, Kasper rosa, LaFaro, Khuda, Public Relations Exercise, Princess, and Maybeshewill.The label is run by Tim Waterfield....
) (October 2010)
- Critical Distance (7" Single) (Function Records) (March 2011)
Compilations
- Kill All Humans (CD-R Compilation) (Robot Needs HomeRobot Needs HomeRobot Needs Home is a British, Leicester-based, non-profit independent record label, booking agent, and PR company, which mainly handles the releases of a collection of bands from around the East Midlands, but has since grown to encompass artists from further afield.Robot Needs Home is a trading...
) (September 2007)
- Notes 1 (Mini CD-R and Art Compilation) (NotesNOTESNatural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery is an experimental surgical technique whereby "scarless" abdominal operations can be performed with an endoscope passed through a natural orifice then through an internal incision in the stomach, vagina, bladder or colon, thus avoiding any external...
) (Unknown 2009)
- Tellison - Contact! Contact! Remixed (Remix Compilation) (Drums Don't Kill Records) (January 2009)
- White Noise One (CD-R Compilation) (Robot Needs HomeRobot Needs HomeRobot Needs Home is a British, Leicester-based, non-profit independent record label, booking agent, and PR company, which mainly handles the releases of a collection of bands from around the East Midlands, but has since grown to encompass artists from further afield.Robot Needs Home is a trading...
) (May 2009)
- "Truck 12" (Compilation) (June 2009)
- Not For Want of Trying + 4 (Field RecordsField RecordsField Records is a British, Nottingham-based independent record label featuring bands such as Ann Arbor, Karhide, Alright the Captain, Kasper rosa, LaFaro, Khuda, Public Relations Exercise, Princess, and Maybeshewill.The label is run by Tim Waterfield....
UK & EU) (October 2009)
- "White Noise Two" (CD-R Compilation) (Robot Needs HomeRobot Needs HomeRobot Needs Home is a British, Leicester-based, non-profit independent record label, booking agent, and PR company, which mainly handles the releases of a collection of bands from around the East Midlands, but has since grown to encompass artists from further afield.Robot Needs Home is a trading...
) (December 2009)
- "Off The Cuff" (Compilation) (Big Scary Monsters) (August 2010)