Halifax duo Wax-Tree-Cast have shared new single ‘Oliver Reed’ ahead of a huge hometown show opening for The Charlatans and Johnny Marr at The Piece Hall. Formed in mid-2020 by vocalist and bassist Oolagh Hodgson and songwriter Blair Murray,
Decked out in all pink and matching blissful, classic indie-pop songwriting with striking visuals and unmistakable West Yorkshire cool, the duo have already been championed across BBC 6 Music by DJs Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq and Chris Hawkins as well as by trusted tastemaker John Kennedy on his Radio X ‘X-posure’ show.
With word-of-mouth spreading through a run of captivating live shows, Wax-Tree-Cast have already found themselves performing on the stages of Kendal Calling and Liverpool Sound City as well as opening for artists including Tim Burgess, Steve Mason, The Hold Steady, Baby Strange and Tess Parks before selling out the iconic Hebden Bridge Trades Club for their first headline show.
Now working with Blue Raincoat Music/Chrysalis Records, the duo have shared new single ‘Oliver Reed’; Named after the infamous actor, the band charts a tragic story of a talented musician who never really found his way. A heavy tale of alcohol-abuse and wasted talent delivered over deceptively bright guitars and classic melodies.
Blair Murray, Wax-Tree-Cast on ‘Oliver Reed’: “Oliver Reed tells a loose story about a musician who has become a washout after never really making it to the top and finding his success. Our ex-musician has slowly dropped out of society and sits/lives on a park bench watching the world go by. Unfortunately he eventually meets his fate and dies in the same bar as Oliver Reed. The song has been heavily inspired by the classic Mr. Bojangles and seeing Sammy Davis Jr admits his fears that he would eventually be forgotten about before singing it live”
This weekend Blair & Oolagh will take to the stage at Halifax’s majestic Piece Hall venue, opening for British indie icons The Charlatans and Johnny Marr following a personal invitation by Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess after he heard the band’s early music.
