Local band THIEVES are looking forward to releasing their first ever EP.

Made up of friends Matthew Cooper (vocals), Conor Robertson (guitar), Harrison Stanford (bass), and Matt Wright (drums), THIEVES formed back in 2018.

“We all met via college and friends of friends,” explained lead singer Matthew.

“We formed THIEVES because we wanted to each express our passion for writing and performing music. We soon realised that we not only clicked as individuals, but as songwriters and brothers.”

The boys are well known on the music circuit in Cheltenham, regularly performing at venues like Smokey Joe’s, 2 Pigs and The Cotswold Inn.

They say that their eclectic music tastes mean the music they play is quite distinctive.

“We’d describe our sound as fairly unique,” continued Harrison.

“Each of us has a pretty different taste in music and we all draw our inspiration from very varied sources – when it all comes together, it becomes difficult to quantify. Once we've all had influence in the song writing process it's difficult to put us in a genre.”

The process of coming up with new tracks is something the boys enjoy, and lead guitarist Conor says inspiration can come from anywhere.

He said: “It can start with a lick, or a riff, or a drumbeat, and we then follow with the rest of the arsenal – the drums, the bass and the guitar, and it all comes together. We send it to Cooper and he comes up with a melody idea.

“Cooper and myself then sit in the studio and do a yes or no scenario – ‘does this sound good?’ If it doesn’t we keep looking until it fits, but we can assure you the process is vigorous, only the best ideas get by.

“Lyrics are another side completely, we tend to write about experiences, that way we know the depth, and it will resonate with someone else who’s gone through something similar, after all that’s why we write – to move people.”

All the hard work in the studio has built up to the band’s first ever EP, which is due for release later this year.

Matt added: “After vigorous debate between an album and an EP, we decided a summer album would be more fitting, and would love to push an EP first.

“It’s been written over the course of couple of years, ensuring we were 100% about all decisions, without overthinking and just letting it flow. We’re extremely excited to get it out into the world and let everybody know what we have been working on for so long.”

For more information on THIEVES visit www.facebook.com/ukthievesband