In the wide and varied landscape of modern music, I find myself consistently drawn to the storytellers, the genre-benders, the under-the-radar wonders that defy expectations. One such band is The Frestonians, a four-piece outfit hailing from Ipswich, Suffolk, in the UK.
The Frestonians are composed of Peter and Wendy sharing vocal and guitar duties, Tom on bass, and Greg keeping the beat on drums. Since their formation in 2019, they've been carving out their own niche in the music scene, drawing from a variety of influences that span from blues and rock to alternative rock. They're not just musicians - they're musical alchemists, transforming their varied influences into a sound that's distinctly their own.
When the UK went into lockdown, The Frestonians adapted, performing online gigs for events such as Giving Gigs, Let’s Rock the Lockdown, Socially Distant Fest, and the Virtual Open Mic. They also found a platform on BBC Radio Suffolk and the John Peel Centre’s Whole SheBang show. Now, with restrictions eased, they're regularly lighting up stages in venues across East Anglia, including The Smokehouse in Ipswich and the Queen Street Brewhouse in Colchester.
Their debut EP "Midnight," released in January 2022, was a noteworthy entrance into the music scene. Produced by Jon Clayton at OneCat Studios and recorded at the Audio Lab in Ipswich, the EP saw widespread play on local and internet radio stations, as well as inclusion in Spotify playlists worldwide.
The band's track "Lock Away My Soul" was selected as the BBC Introducing Track of the Week in May 2022, while their EP's title track, "Midnight", landed them in 4th place for the Track of the Year vote at the NMG Awards in September 2022. They also secured a notable 3rd place in the Audience Choice vote at the same awards.
Following their success, The Frestonians released the "Live in The Smokehouse" EP on 1 January 2023, featuring live performances from their November 2022 gig. Their most recent work, the "Slow Dance" EP, dropped on 10 February 2023, continuing their journey of captivating audiences with their distinctive sound.