Colours

Colours played at End Of The Road Festival 2011.

Colours do not begin or stop with their music. This four-piece from small towns scattered within the New Forest are thinking about the bigger picture. Not long after forming in their hometown, vocalist, Leon Diaper and guitarist, Jon Lawrence left for London and picked up two old friends along the way: Lewis Baker (ex-Help She can’t Swim) and Jorge Stride on drums and bass.

“Colours are Jubilant, their songs are awash with life and sweep and swim through damaged harmonics” – Upset the Rhythm

Their relentless pursuit of such a sound, just a foggy idea in their youth, stirred by many early 90s bands. This pressed Colours to forge their own direction, one that openly acknowledges their influences, but is more like an audio kaleidoscope, conjuring a loose guide rather than a specific blueprint, to a destination that is completely their own.

Founding Marshall Teller Records has afforded Colours the opportunity to not only create the music they want to hear but to champion it too. Bands such as Cheatahs, Dignan Porch, Weird Dreams, and 2011’s ‘it band’, The Vaccines, have all been handled by the DIY inspired label.

Colours’ latest release was recorded with revered East-London producer/musician, and good friend, Rory Atwell. This has given them the control over their music and consequently allowed the band to produce their most personal, masterly attempt yet. 2010 saw Colours really cement themselves in the London musical collective, playing gigs to sell-out venues and packed festivals, supporting bands Real Estate, The Vaccines, Beach Fossils, Crocodiles and many other London and international acts.

They are simply not content to reference their favourite bands with clumsy riffs or pilfered lyrics; they study and infuse their influences. Their knowledge and passion flows through Diaper’s reverberated lyrics and floats effortlessly next to Lawrence’s graceful solo adventures, whilst Stride and Baker inject the energy and experience the foursome could not do without. They are aware of how they sound and they know what sounds good.