logo
Royston Club to release 'Songs for the Spine' album

Royston Club to release 'Songs for the Spine' album

Leader Live26-05-2025

After achieving a number 16 chart breakthrough with their debut album, The Royston Club are now targeting far bigger ambitions with the news that they will release their new album 'Songs For The Spine' on August 8.
They will launch the album alongside the new single 'Glued To The Bed' and also announce details of their biggest UK headline tour to date, which features their largest London show so far at the O2 Forum Kentish Town.
A great debut album will only get you so far. It's what you do next that really counts - and The Royston Club are now excelling on every front.
Recent sold-out live shows have demonstrated the growing scale and fervent passion of their devoted following.
Vitally, the recent singles 'Shivers' and 'The Patch Where Nothing Grows' also signpost their creative evolution.
'Songs For The Spine' builds on the sonic DNA of their debut, but is bigger, more experimental and more heartfelt too.
The album was produced by Rich Turvey (Blossoms, Rachel Chinouriri), who helped the band unlock some of the raw, natural energy that powers their live show.
Royston Club guitarist Ben Matthias said: 'All of these songs are about people and places we love. These people and these places are the things that keep you standing through whatever happens.
"There's the classic songs about our relationships with our girlfriends, but on the flipside there's even a song about me going home to Wrexham and feeling guilty because I'd forgot that the speed limits had changed in Wales, which shows how long it had been since I'd last been there!'
Ben adds: 'With 'Glued To The Bed', I wanted to write about the cynicism towards love that heartbreak can bring, the bittersweet memory of a relationship and the raw aftermath of a breakup.
"It's about the push and pull between needing to forget and wanting to hold on to what was lost, about how grief can become your entire atmosphere and distort your sense of self.
"Looking back, I see a lot of what I wrote as a defense mechanism after being hurt. I dismiss love as this pretentious, performative thing and in the chorus I sound afraid, pleading for the next relationship not to leave me in the same state.'
TOP STORIES TODAY
'Songs For The Spine' is now available to pre-order / pre-save HERE.
The album will also be available on standard vinyl, CD, cassette and digital formats.
UK fans who pre-order the album from the band's official store will receive access to a pre-sale for tour tickets. This will open at 10am BST on Tuesday, May 27th and will remain live until remaining tickets go on general sale from 10am on Thursday, May 29th.
2025 has already seen The Royston Club - completed by Tom Faithfull (vocals/guitar), Dave Tute (bass) and Sam Jones (drums) - play select live shows.
A big headline set at Liverpool Sound City; an instantly sold-out underplay at London's Omeara; three rammed low-key homecoming shows in Wrexham; and a set as part of Wrexham FC's celebrations following their promotion to the Championship.
Their upcoming tour includes major festival dates across the UK and Europe, and shows as guests to big names The Lathums, Bloc Party and Travis, before their autumn headline tour gets underway.
Their 'Songs For The Spine' tracklist is as follows;

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mail Sport Extreme: Meet the man behind Haverfordwest County's transformation from part-timers to Conference League and how he's targeting success in Ohio Valley Wrestling next...
Mail Sport Extreme: Meet the man behind Haverfordwest County's transformation from part-timers to Conference League and how he's targeting success in Ohio Valley Wrestling next...

Daily Mail​

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Mail Sport Extreme: Meet the man behind Haverfordwest County's transformation from part-timers to Conference League and how he's targeting success in Ohio Valley Wrestling next...

Five years ago, Wrexham made headlines when Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the club, investing and taking the side from non-league to the Championship as of next season. Around the same time, Rob Edwards was considering the future of his wine business when he received an e-mail offering another semi-professional Welsh side for sale; Haverfordwest County AFC. Within weeks, Edwards had completed his takeover and set the goal of reaching Europe within three years. Two years ago, Haverfordwest County made their Conference League debut, reaching the second qualifying round - after defeating Macedonians Shkendija over two legs in the first round - before exiting at the hands of Torshavn. Next month, they return to Europe for just the third time in their 126-year history. 'Wrexham is a brilliant story, and they've done a fantastic job, but we're not trying to recreate that,' says Edwards. 'We're not Hollywood and I'm not famous. We're just a bunch of people who care deeply about sport, who believe in people, and who are willing to try things others won't.' While most would be content to look to change the fortunes of one sporting organization, Edwards, through his sports management firm MSM, wasn't content to rest on his laurels. Towards the end of last year, Edwards found himself flying to Kentucky to watch an Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) show, the promotion that helped launch the careers of John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton and Brock Lesnar among others. While Cena and Rhodes go toe-to-toe this weekend at WWE's Money in the Bank Premium Live Event, Edwards will continue to plan for the weeks, months and years ahead with both Haverfordwest and OVW. 'It's completely surreal, but honestly, it all comes from the same place,' says Edwards. 'I'm obsessed with sport and the impact it can have on communities. I'm doing things I never imagined doing, but I'm enjoying every second and looking to create a legacy as I go. 'Walking into that arena, I could feel the energy and togetherness amongst the staff and talent. There's something visceral about live wrestling. The energy, the commitment from the fans, the storytelling... it was all there. But behind the scenes, they didn't know how to talk about it. There was no identity. No real plan for the future. 'Everyone still thinks we're a feeder system. But we're not. We're building something that can stand on its own. A company where people want to stay, not just pass through. We want OVW to be the best indie promotion in the world - and we want it to feel like home. It's a fresh start. A chance to build on what's something special. It may be a totally different sport, but the approach is not dissimilar to what we achieved at Haverfordwest. 'Fans are vital. Fan-centric is vital to every opportunity. We want to leave a legacy with every business we work in. You can't do it with just one person or one idea. It has to be at the core of everything we stand for. We want to build a business that has real, tangible value both financially, and in terms of the value it adds to the areas in which we operate. 'I haven't thought about what the "ending" looks like - is there an ending? Or can we keep driving both to new heights? We're here to create the best businesses we can, and that will create opportunities. We have to prove both businesses can be successful. 'There are so many ideas to make them sustainable, successful businesses-with the right impact. From there, it's about delivering the best we can. The end goal? Take it as far as we can. Win the league that puts it on a different level internationally and financially, and that means we can continue to grow and invest. 'For OVW, there's no reason we can't be a national brand with international exposure. That opens doors to larger sponsorships and partnerships. It doesn't have to be WWE to be highly successful and to be an asset for Louisville and Kentucky. When Edwards first took over at Haverfordwest County, the team were playing in front of less than 100 fans each week. Fast-forward to now and the side have not only qualified for European campaigns in successive seasons for the first time in their history, they have achieved their highest league finish in over 20 years (third place), with their Development side winning the FAW Youth Cup for the first time and claimed the league title for the second year in a row. Clearly, the strategies put in place by Edwards and his associates have been working. 'At Haverfordwest we're so isolated, in a peninsula in the southwest of Wales, with a low population, it's a very retirement-based demographic,' says Edwards. 'Having fans and local people on side is important. Over 1,700 came to the play-off (to secure European football last season) - 15 per cent. For a population like ours, that's huge. 'It shows that if we can share our vision locally and create that direct impact, people will give that back and more. We're doing 30 hours a week of community initiatives. We want to add value to the town beyond football. 'In return, people are supporting the team to impact more and create more opportunities. We've got a full-time community manager driving that impact, which aligns with our bigger agenda to create a charitable trust - it's now been sent into the Charity Commission. That'll allow us to generate the funding we need to create even more of an impact. 'OVW has a loyal fanbase, but it's at a level where we need to impact more directly. We need to bring new people back into the business. There are 1.6 million people within commutable distance, which is a massive catchment area. If we can even tap into a tiny percentage of that, it's a huge opportunity to put OVW on the map in the local area and make OVW a Louisville institution alongside the likes of Churchill Downs, Slugger Museum and of course, Bourbon! 'To be a national and international brand, we have to be local first - get attendances up, increase visibility in the town. It's scary but exciting. There's real fresh snow here, Just by creating small impacts, we can have a significant impact within the company - and that builds the foundations for a successful future.' The future looks bright for Haverfordwest and OVW. With attendances climbing, fans are backing both ventures week in, week out. Having finished third in the league last season, beating champions The New Saints along the way, Edwards sees no reason why Haverford can't be challenging for the title and the rewards that come with it. It's a lesson he's keen to put into practise with OVW too. 'We want to win the league,' he says. 'You don't get involved in a competitive environment unless you want to be the best team you can be. That's more achievable in Wales than elsewhere - it doesn't have a huge amount of awareness, but there's investment coming into the league that will drive it forward. To finish third and qualify for Europe just shows what we've achieved off our own back. It's significant progress, but it's just the beginning. 'The champions are benefitting from European success and everything that comes with it, and they're full-time, but the gap isn't huge. We're two or three years behind that. We've shown how far we've come that with the Under-19s winning the Treble this season and qualifying for the youth equivalent of the UEFA Champions League, and if we can transfer that momentum when these lads come through, there's no reason we can't have a real, competitive, homegrown side. That's important, especially where we are geographically. 'The aim with MSM is to build a portfolio - five to seven clubs across different sports - where each one tells a story, gives back to its community, and is commercially strong. OVW is a huge part of that. 'These two worlds can actually learn from each other. The chaos is the point - but it's controlled chaos. We've got a strategy, we've got brilliant people, and we've got something fans are already connecting with. If we do this right, OVW won't just be relevant again - it'll be the blueprint for how wrestling can evolve. 'And if it all goes wrong? At least I'll have one hell of a book.'

Supercomputer predicts new Championship season with Wrexham fairytale continuing and ex-Premier League trio relegated
Supercomputer predicts new Championship season with Wrexham fairytale continuing and ex-Premier League trio relegated

The Sun

time18 hours ago

  • The Sun

Supercomputer predicts new Championship season with Wrexham fairytale continuing and ex-Premier League trio relegated

WREXHAM are in line for a fourth-straight Hollywood season, according to a new Championship supercomputer. But it's bad news for former Premier League side Watford, who are pipped for relegation to League One for the first time in 48 YEARS. 6 6 6 Boffins at AceOdds booted up their intelligent PC, which simulates every single fixture 10,00 times for the most accurate score. It estimates the outcome of games based on a team's current strength (based on factors such as league position and form) and betting market odds. And the results are astounding, with Wrexham, who became the first team to earn back-to-back-to-back promotions up the pyramid, have the chance to play for Premier League football. The Red Dragons, once suffering a record 15-straight seasons in the National League before Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney saved the day, are predicted to finish inside the play-off spots next season. Linked with a host of big names, including Jamie Vardy and Ben Davies, Wrexham's top-flight dreams remain alive - if they edge out Bristol City to sixth-place on goal difference. Meanwhile, the clever AI algorithm reckons Southampton will go straight back up by winning the Championship. The Saints, who hired former Lens boss Will Still after relegation this season, are set to face a dramatic title race with Sheffield United, who will finally earn automatic promotion at the second time of asking. Fellow relegated sides Ipswich, Leicester and Frank Lampard 's Coventry City are predicted to join Wrexham in making the play-offs. Tom Brady-backed Birmingham City, who recorded the most-ever EFL points last season (108), will also register an admirable top-half finish. On 65 points, the Blues are set to finish ahead of neighbours West Brom and other established names such as Stoke City and Middlesbrough. 'He's got the fastest hands' - Wrexham star James McClean tipped to beat up Jake Paul in boxing fight Meanwhile, Championship newboys Charlton Athletic are expected to avoid a return to League One, finishing six points above the drop. In terms of the relegation places, Derby County and Hull City join Watford in the dreaded drop to the third-tier. Watford last played in League One (then known as the Football League Third Division) during the 1977-78 season. Derby finished 19th last year, while Hull are pipped to finish rock-bottom after just about saving themselves on the final day this season, after Luton lost to West Brom. While the supercomputer thinks the likes of Preston, QPR, Boro and Oxford United will narrowly survive. And Norwich, Millwall, Blackburn, Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea will finish a respectable mid-table. 6 6 6

🎧 'Not reaching play-offs was failure by Carrick'
🎧 'Not reaching play-offs was failure by Carrick'

BBC News

time19 hours ago

  • BBC News

🎧 'Not reaching play-offs was failure by Carrick'

Middlesbrough's failure to reach the Championship play-offs is what ultimately cost Michael Carrick his is the view of Boro's BBC Radio Tees commentator Mark Drury and former midfielder Neil Maddison."Since they got to the play-offs, it's a story of regression," Drury told BBC Radio Tees. "Basically, that's it. Boro have been going backwards. This season in isolation was a massive failure."To not reach the play-offs this season with the squad that had been assembled last August, with the make-up of the Championship as it was - to not get there was a failure and it was a big one."Maddison agreed and said the club have "gone backwards" since they lost 1-0 on aggregate to Coventry in the play-off semi-final in May 2023."There were so many factors leading up to why it hasn't been a successful season," Maddison said."There wasn't enough. For me this season, it's one of those where I haven't really enjoyed watching us in terms of the football, the results."Go back to his [Carrick's] first season, I've never seen anything like it. It's the best football I've seen at the Riverside in my opinion. It was so exciting."But since then, we have gone backwards. And if you don't push on, this is the outcome."Listen to Mark Drury and Neil Maddison's full discussion with host Rob Law about Carrick's sacking on BBC Sounds.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store