Stroud band The Achievers have had a whirlwind 18 months since they last spoke to The Local Answer.

After releasing their debut album in 2018 the alt-blues group made up of Steve Ferbrache, Aron Attwood, Rufus Fry, Jack Thomas and Robert Holmes soon released their follow up album ‘The Lost Arc’, to critical acclaim.

“It was quite hotly anticipated,” reflected guitarist and lead singer Steve, “after our first album did quite well.

“It was a very different album and a bit quirky which I think is why people liked it. That was great because we worked really hard on it.”

‘The Lost Arc’ reached number one in the Independent Blues Broadcasters Chart and was also played on BBC Radio 2’s Blues Show.

The album has also been nominated for Album of the Year at the 2020 UK Blues Awards, where The Achievers are also up for Emerging Artist and Blues Band of the Year.

Known for their ‘dancefloor gospel-blues’, it’s been something of a meteoric rise for the band who first got together in 2013.

“It’s been very eventful, it was a really good year for us,” continued Steve.

“We’ve gone from playing local clubs and pubs in Stroud to representing the UK at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.”

The aforementioned International Blues Challenge sees bands and artists from all over the world travel to Tennessee to perform.

The Achievers were chosen by the UK Blues Federation to represent the country at the event which took place at the end of January.

“It was an honour,” said Steve. “It’s such a competitive scene in the States, there were well over 200 bands from all over the world.

“We did really well, we got to the semi-finals. We crowdfunded to get over there and to have the support from our fans, friends and family was great.”

For more information on The Achievers visit www.theachieversuk.com