User:Strugglehouse/sandbox/Lovejoy (band)

Lovejoy is an indie rock band formed in Brighton, England by William Gold and Joe Goldsmith. The band consists of Gold as lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Goldsmith as lead guitarist, Mark Boardman as drummer, and Ash Kabosu as bassist, with all four also sharing in songwriting. Their debut EP, Are You Alright?, was released on 8 May 2021. Their second EP, Pebble Brain, came out on 14 October 2021. Their third EP, WU&IO, is set to be released early 2023.

Formation and Are You Alright? (2021)
Lovejoy was founded by William Gold and Joe Goldsmith in 2021. The two met from previously playing in the same folk group.

The band was originally named 'Hang the DJ', however the name was later changed to 'Lovejoy', inspired by Benedict Lovejoy, a friend of the band who would sit with them in the early days of songwriting.

Gold was in a burger shop when he met bassist Ash Kabosu. Gold noticed the bass guitar on Kabosu's back, asked if he played, and, when told yes, he invited Kabosu to join Lovejoy.

Gold met Mark Boardman, the drummer for the band, after hiring him on Fiverr on the first day of studio recording. After seeing Boardman perform, Gold asked him if he wanted to scrap his payment and join Lovejoy permanently instead, and he agreed.

The band's debut EP, Are You Alright?, came out on 8 May 2021. Music videos for their songs "Taunt" and "One Day" came out two days later, with the "Taunt" music video featuring popular internet personality GeorgeNotFound. The songs have a recurring theme of failed romantic relationships.

On 20 May 2021, Lovejoy debuted at number 10 on Billboard's Emerging Artists chart.

Pebble Brain, singles, and radio appearances (2021–present)
Their second EP, Pebble Brain, was released on 14 October 2021, and peaked at number 12 on the UK Albums Chart, also holding positions in ten international charts. The songs of this EP continue the theme of failed romantic relationships, but also expand to political unrest.

Lovejoy released their single "Knee Deep at ATP" (a cover of a 2008 Los Campesinos! song) on 26 December 2021, with an animated music video being released two weeks later. In February, the band appeared on Here You Go, You Do It, a Crywank covers compilation album, performing Crywank's 2013 song "Privately Owned Spiral Galaxy". In October 2022, the band issued their first two EPs, as well as their cover of "Knee Deep at ATP", to vinyl for the first time.

From November 2022, the band began to receive renewed attention on mainstream radio, with airtime on BBC Radio 1, and on Dutch radio show "Welkom Bij De Club!". Their song "One Day" was also featured on BBC Music Introducing.

On 10 February 2023, Lovejoy released "Call Me What You Like", the lead single to their upcoming EP, WU&IO.

Members

 * William Gold – lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, songwriter (2021–present)
 * Joe Goldsmith – lead guitarist, songwriter (2021–present)
 * Ash Kabosu – bassist, songwriter (2021–present)
 * Mark Boardman – drummer, songwriter (2021–present)