Oliver Pinder | Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds

Oliver Pinder + Supports at Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds on Thursday 29th of August

“Merging pop aspects with indie tropes, he’s able to craft something complex and dynamic, yet also wide open, songs that fans can absorb into their own lives.” - Robin Murray (CLASH Magazine)

“Enchanting” – Matthew Kent (Line of Best Fit)

“Back with a bang” – Paige Sims (EARMILK)

“Raw artistry and emotion dripping from every last track” – Kieran (CLOUT)

“Packed with punch” Emily Pilbeam (BBC Introducing, 6 Music, Radio 1)

“Amazing! Excited to see what’s next” – Shell Zenner (Amazing Radio)

“Deserves a superstar does Wakefield, and here it is” – Jon McClure (Reverend and the Makers)

When British singer-songwriter OLIVER PINDER unleashed his first single STRESSED in October 2022, after an artistic hiatus, the 22-year-old could not predict the wave of appraisal that followed the release. Starting his artistic journey afresh by adopting a new creative approach, his sound has since transformed from its dark, indie-folk roots into an eclectic mix of guitar-driven alternative pop anthems and heartfelt piano ballads. Encompassing the earnest lyricism of artists Matilda Mann and Jeremy Zucker, as well as the glitchy synth- wave instrumental layers akin to that of The Japanese House and Holly Humberstone, Pinder’s music captures the anxieties of today’s younger generation.

Growing up in the West Yorkshire city of Bradford, Pinder began to utilise the process of writing music as an emotional outlet at the age of eight, after receiving his first guitar costing just short of ten pounds. As his parents fostered his musical passion, this beloved instrument would accompany Pinder on family holidays to Kirkcudbright in Scotland, alongside a soundtrack consisting of Neil Diamond, Don Mclean, and Meatloaf. The passing of Pinder’s father, when the young musician was 12 years old, fuelled his determination to pursue a career in music and make his late parent proud. By his mid-teens Pinder had attracted attention from promoters across the nation eager to offer him support slots for established musicians such as Billie Marten, Embrace, and JP Cooper.

As of 2023, Pinder recently completed his debut UK tour which included headline shows in Leeds, Manchester, London, Newcastle, and York. This run of shows around the nation allowed the solo artist to expand his line-up, and many of these dates saw Pinder accompanied by a band of established musicians. Joined by bassist/lead-guitarist Morgan Lindley and drummer Harry Stobart, the trio packed venues across the country with crowds eagerly invested in Pinder’s latest EP release Potential, I Guess? Coinciding with the announcement of Pinder’s UK tour in May 2023, this body of work was the first to be published by the indie-pop artist since his hiatus and quickly became a discussion point for national music reviewers and radio-show hosts alike. Pinder’s release also secured him with full-band slots at some of the UK’s most renowned music festivals, such as Barn On The Farm and Long Division.

Having been featured by the likes of BBC Radio 6 and BBC Introducing, Pinder’s debut EP includes the singles ‘Stressed’, ‘Beautiful Second’, and ‘Late July’, with each release receiving critical acclaim following their publication. Throughout the production process of each song within the collection, Pinder intended to document his creative journey as an artist navigating unknown sonic territory whilst remaining true to his song-writer roots. Focussing on the struggles faced by twentysomethings venturing through adulthood, Potential, I Guess? details the progression of an artist learning to immerse himself in a sound that is uniquely his. Whilst he is known for his captivating ballads brimming with emotional vulnerability, the first single from the record ‘Stressed’ demonstrates all the necessary ingredients to a dance floor-filling pop anthem, utilising electronic ornaments and an infectiously groovy bass line. Furthermore, to maintain excitement among his listeners’, Pinder is unleashing a series of music videos and live sessions to complement each song, with the first instalment being the promotional video for his single ‘Late July’.

Following the success of Pinder’s first tour of this year, the Wakefield based artist is already anticipating a further run of headline show dates for early next year around the UK and beyond, as he aspires to expand his audience internationally. Future full-band performances will also feature two new additions to the artist’s explosive line-up, as he introduces keys player/vocalist Hattie Barnes, and guitarist Jacob Clarke. Clarke also played an integral role in Pinder’s journey, as the producer behind the artist’s latest releases. With a second prospective tour planned, Pinder is already working towards his sophomore EP which sees his sound develop into much heavier realms than his debut record, proving that he is not just a one-trick pony. With a widely celebrated first EP and selection of sell-out shows in some of the UK’s most notorious grass-roots venues under his belt, the future appears promising for indie and alternative pop’s future sensation, Oliver Pinder.