Peachstone self portrait
Hertfordshire band Peachstone are like a wild and rare specimen: interesting and unique yet nobody knows how to properly catalogue them. Navigating between several genres, with influences raging from Echosmith, Wolf Alice, Cowboy Junkies and Paramore, the band is usually squeezed into the narrow pop rock/dream pop boarders. They sort of do fit into this description, but their music is rich, varied and experimental at times. One needs to listen to them a couple of times to notice all the nuances and tempo changes. In a world of constant bombardment from TikTok videos and Instagram reels, when the audience’s attention is being reduced to several seconds, nobody has the time to properly listen to music like this. I find this incredibly sad. Industry plants that have nothing sensible or interesting to say are hyped at the cost of people, whose records have the ability to inspire generations to come. Real music is not on social media accounts backed by money, it is at tiny record labels that are putting real gems out. And Peachstone’s new single is probably one of the best they recorded so far.
Official bio: Featuring Holly Knowles (vocals/guitar) and Matt Briars (lead guitar/production), Hertfordshire duo Peachstone formed in early 2020 after several years of writing songs together. Inspired by the likes of Wolf Alice, Best Coast and Fleetwood Mac, their songs have been described as “a delightful slice of dream-pop melancholia”. Their newest single “ON/OFF” was released independently on 26th of May 2023.
“ON/OFF” is self-biographical song, dealing with themes of loneliness, feeling lost in the world and crippling self-doubt. We all have moments when we are completely lost under the weight of life: family pressure, relationships challenges, financial worries or anything else that the world just keeps throwing at us. Whenever we (over)think how to resolve different difficulties, we find ourselves cornered, completely overpowered, with little room to manoeuvre our way out. This feeling of not being able to escape, break the endless circle is exhausting and damaging to us. It takes time to be able to recognize this and to step away to calmly assess the situation. It’s not easy to switch off, but sometimes it’s a necessary step to take. Lyricist and lead singer of Peachstone – Holly Knowles thinks that the switching on and off can actually be the solution we all have been looking for.
Single cover
“While writing the lyrics, I was trying to map out this pattern of ‘rebooting’ whenever I’m feeling lost or stuck — hence the title of ‘OFF/ON’” she explains. “Just when I think, I’ve found the answer to my problems, I get overwhelmed and then I’m back to square one. It’s an ongoing cycle and it feels satisfying to have captured it in a song.”
The song feels like a guiding beacon, an instruction of a kind what can be done to help us. It may sound like something an IT technician would say (have you tried turning it off and on again?) but if it works for the machines, why wouldn’t it work for human beings?
The music is brilliant and if you are not singing along after a minute, you may need to have the whole system reinstalled – it is so addictive and melodic. It’s a Mazzy Star/Paramore crossover we didn’t know we needed in our lives, seriously it’s that good. I love the edgy rhythm section, addictive guitar riffs and a huge dose of sweetness, amplified by Holly’s extraordinary voice. For me, “ON/OFF” offers a great dosage of hope too. Please try listening to it on your morning jog – you will be positively charged for the rest of the week.
I truly wish our national radio stations could dedicate more air time to new bands. Peachstone have a massive potential to become a huge household name, all they need is a bit of assistance. Keeping them confined to the indie underground is a crime against good music.
Once again for the people and the A&R’s in the back – stop following easy buck and take a look at people who have something interesting to say. You will be remembered fondly, with your place secured for ever in the annals of rock and roll history.
Self portrait number 2
Follow Peachstone on social media at:
https://www.facebook.com/peachstonemusic
https://peachstonemusic.bandcamp.com
https://twitter.com/peachstonemusic
https://www.instagram.com/peachstonemusic/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1DJHeYAYQwDsh7tCbVhhrl?si=g3eC2BefRtySS8AgMWMVXw&nd=1
Rita Dabrowicz
Indieterria 