Selling out headline shows, playing alongside the likes of Glass Caves and The Rifles and receiving support from Music Week, NME, The Evening Standard and Clash Magazine, alternative rock quartet Shanghai Blues returned with indie anthem ‘Lies’ last week.
Childhood friends hailing from Walthamstow, East London – Shanghai Blues are James Chalk (Vocals, Bass), Reece Ismael (Guitar), James Heed (Guitar) and Mike Stinton (Drums). Although having only formed under two years ago, Shanghai Blues have already travelled the length and breadth of the UK and continue to sell out shows to their insatiable fanbase. Known for their raucous live stage presence, they have already made a name for themselves with slots at The Great Escape (Alt) and City Sound Project.
The band have already featured on several tastemaker playlists including The Indie List, Hot New Bands and Fresh Finds, plus support at Apple Music (Best Of The Week), Abbie McCarthy (BBC Introducing, Radio 1). Their hugely diverse array of influence comes from artists including Jimi Hendrix, Led Zepplin, BB King, RHCP, J Hus, Kanye West, Dinosaur Pile Up, The Strokes and Moose Blood. Check out ‘Lies’ below!
We caught up with the band before the release as they talked about their latest single and more!
So how pumped are you for the release of Lies?
Really pumped, we’ve been sitting on it for a while so we’re really excited to see what kind of reaction it’s going to get.
Can you tell something about the track no one else knows?
It’s been written about a relationship one of the band had, but we’re not going to name names, haha.
Will you be releasing an EP/album this year?
No EP planned, and again, if anyone out there wants to fund an album for us hit us up. We might have some more music for you by the end of the year if you’re lucky.
If you could with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
Planning on forming a super group with YONAKA and The K’s cause they’re just rad af.
What’s it like be recognised by the likes of BBC Introduction and more?
It’s great to have that recognition from places where we used to find new music and still do, so to be recognised among artists that we love is a very humbling experience
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Private jets & Moet.
So how pumped are you for your next run of dates and what venue are you most looking forward to?
Looking forward to going up north again and getting battered on £3 trebles. Also massively looking forward to our headline show at Thousand Island in London, judging by our last London headline you’re gonna want to be there.
What was the first ever gig you went to?
The Darkness at Brixton in 2008!!
Tour Dates:
14th Sept: Three Wise Monkeys (Colchester)
26th Sept: Purple Turtle (Reading, BBC Intro)
2nd Oct: Jimmys (Manchester)
3rd Oct: Head of Steam (Newcastle)
19th Oct: Thousand Island (London)
5th Jan: DPP Festival (Derby)