For Airways, “rather die trying to make it than die not trying to make it! Do or do not, there is no try” is the band’s ethos. Perfectly in line with their ethos, the story of Airways is one about taking chances and risks.
The story of how Airways formed is an unusual one. Singer/Songwriter Jake Daniels was on a writing trip in Los Angeles building his repertoire of solo songs, and crashing at his manager’s house. On night one of his stay, Jake met Chicago native Brian Moroney, who also happened to be staying in the same house while on tour as a drummer. The two hit if off famously and at the end of the trip, half-serious, half in jest, Jake invited him out to the UK to help start a band.
Two months later, Brian left his home in Chicago and was standing on Jake’s doorstep in Peterborough, UK.
Add in Jake’s long-time, hometown friend Alex Ruggiero on guitar and Birmingham musician Jamie Reyonlds on bass, and Airways was born.
In early 2016, first single “Ghost Town”, a song that reflects on societal change and comments on today’s society being immersed in technology.
Rather than wait for something to happen, the band got proactive and sent the song to all of their favorite online blogs. They were surprised to get replies, but even more surprised by how positive they were, including being described as “a young, refreshing and exciting indie rock band with hints of Arctic Monkeys, Cage The Elephant, Gorillaz and Circa Waves”. Now “Ghost Town” has wracked up 1.2 million spins on spotify alone, has been picked up by Charlie Ashcroft at Amazing Radio, John Kennedy at Radio X, along with plays across a number of BBC Introducing shows. Follow up track ‘One Foot’ kept the buzz around the band growing. The video portrays the track itself very well, addressing the struggle of being young in the 21st Century and feeling out of place.
With two singles down, Airways enlisted Nothing But Thieves guitarist Dom Craik and producer Julian Emery, who is best known for his work with Nothing But Thieves and Lissie. As co-producers for their EP, Craik and Emery brought a uniquely modern, fresh, original sound to the band’s clever lyrics and instant hooks.
Already their single ‘Reckless Tongue’ has pricked the ears of both Huw Stephens who added the band to the Best Of BBC Introducing playlist. Mistajam in for Annie Mac also included them in ‘New Names.’
With comparisons from Jamie T, Cage The Elephant, Gorillaz to Twenty One Pilots, the guys are excited to see how their EP will be received. This past year brought them around the country multiple times playing BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds Festivals, as well as tours with Pixel Fix, The Hunna, Sunset Sons, mates Nothing But Thieves, and topped off with a sold-out Headline Tour. They also trekked across the Atlantic to debut at SXSW earlier this year.
At their live shows they ooze confidence while their fan-base is growing steadily from people who’ve stumbled across them to the more avid hardcore followers. Just the right amount of cockiness required to create a band, Airways are set to seek and destroy every venue they come across, picking up new fans and plaudits along the way, all the while knowing life is about taking risks and chances…and they’re okay if they die trying.
1. Mate
2. One Foot
3. Reckless Tongue
4. Starting To Spin
5. White Noise Boys
‘STARTING TO SPIN’
OUT THIS FRIDAY JUNE 16TH
VIA CAROLINE AUSTRALIA
BUY/STREAM/DOWNLOAD:
https://caroline.lnk.to/StartingToSpin
