Influenced by the Post-Rock movement, Emo, Metal and a lineage of great British bands, West Midlands based duo Richard Labran and Andrew Langford return with their new double single When You Are Not Around/One Look in Your Eyes Says It All. Released on June 17th, 2022, the double single is the next chapter of what is set to be a productive year for the duo.
‘When You Are Not Around’ weaves together intricate, rhythmic, and dark acoustic, electric, and bass guitar accompanied by a faultless drumming performance that really grabs listeners attention.
“I really found my feet when writing ‘When You Are Not Around’, the track is one of thirteen songs that I decided to record at home, and I’d started to feel more confident in the delivery of my vocals and the recording process. The same could be said for Andy who had nailed and got to grips with recording on an electric drumkit by this point. The track is basically about unrequited love, rejection, and the realisation that feelings can be entirely our own experience. There are so many great works of fiction in this area, and I wanted to try and create a song that captured the same type of mood.”
Whereas ‘One Look in Your Eye Says It All’ introduces synth hooks into a pop orientated acoustic guitar driven song that bursts into a happy melodic ending.
“One Look in Your Eyes Says It All’ is entirely meant as a B-side and will not feature on our forthcoming album. It is true that the song has an optimistic feel to it in what are ultimately very challenging and difficult times both globally and nationally. I guess in my personal life I just feel grateful and content where I am, and I’m not going to allow the world to bring me down with it, well not until the bombs start falling anyway.”
About LABRAN
Throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, Richard Labran experienced the life of an independent touring musician. The West Midlands native went from appearing on legendary radio DJ John Peel’s ‘Peel Sessions’ with Solway Fifth to opening the first Supersonic Festival in his hometown with Deadsunrising, and later returned to the festival with Formation Flight. While his last band, IONS, released two albums before splitting up in 2014.
Through a combination of the Covid-19 pandemic, boredom, six years of studying, and an ambition to strike out on his own, Richard Labran returned under the simple eponymous moniker of LABRAN. Accompanied by former IONS drummer Andrew Langford, LABRAN sees Richard branching out as a singer-songwriter.
“I guess I just got the itch to write music again, but this time wanted to do things differently, without having to go to loads of rehearsals, band practices and having to coordinate everything else that goes with being in a band,” says Richard. “It is always a pleasure working with Andrew though. He’s a dedicated, reliable, and passionate professional who pays small attention to detail to get his drums right.”
With an arsenal of songs ready to be shared throughout the coming months, ‘When You Are Not Around’ and ‘One Look in Your Eyes Say’s It All provides some momentum for the duo.
“We want people to enjoy our music and appreciate the diversity of song writing. We want them to come back and listen to future releases throughout the year.”
When You Are Not Around/One Look In Your Eyes Says it All is released June 17th, 2022 and is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud , Amazing Radio, and other digital streaming platforms.
Preview When You Are Not Around
Find LABRAN on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube , and TikTok .