Almost People: The Indie Rock Contrarians
Almost People is an indie rock band from Manchester, England, known for their textured guitar work and introspective lyricism. Their commercial peak arrived with the 2018 album Static Bloom, which charted in the UK Top 40 and solidified their cult following across Europe.
Early career
The band formed in 2012, with founding members Liam Vance (vocals, guitar) and Sasha Petrov (bass) meeting at university. Their early sound was a raw blend of post-punk and shoegaze, captured on a series of self-released EPs beginning with 2013's Fault Lines. This DIY approach caught the attention of the independent label Fierce Panda Records, which signed the band and released their debut album, The Distance in Your Eyes, in 2015.
Breakthrough
Almost People's breakthrough came in 2018 with their sophomore effort, Static Bloom, released on the larger indie label Bella Union. The album's lead single, Half-Light, received significant airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music and entered the UK Singles Chart download list. Static Bloom itself debuted at number 32 on the UK Albums Chart, a success driven by critical acclaim and sustained touring.
Key tracks
Half-Light — This atmospheric single served as the breakout track from Static Bloom, defining their signature blend of melancholy and soaring guitar hooks.
Static Bloom — The album's title track is a fan favorite, renowned for its dynamic build and lyrical themes of urban isolation.
The Distance in Your Eyes — This early track from their debut showcased the band's foundational post-punk influences and established their lyrical voice.
Echo Palace — A key track from their 2021 album Residual Light, it marked a shift towards more expansive, synth-augmented arrangements.
Fault Lines — Their first notable self-released track remains a staple of their live set, representing their raw, initial sound.
The success of Static Bloom allowed Almost People to tour extensively, including support slots for acts like The Twilight Sad. Their third studio album, 2021's Residual Light
Fans of Almost People's nuanced indie rock often appreciate the work of similar UK-based artists. The Twilight Sad shares a penchant for intense, emotionally charged guitar landscapes. Dutch Uncles offers a comparable intellectual approach to rhythm and song structure within the art-rock sphere. White Lies operates in a similar space where post-punk revival meets anthemic, dark pop sensibility.
The music of Almost People has earned regular rotation on a variety of alternative rock radio stations and dedicated indie music streams. Their tracks are frequently featured on stations specializing in new guitar music, underground rock, and curated indie playlists, ensuring their sound reaches an engaged audience of rock enthusiasts.
Listeners can discover the discography of Almost People, from early EPs to Residual Light, through the indie and alternative rock radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to hear their evolving sound featured alongside other defining voices in modern guitar music.
