Belwood Music has found plenty of new favourites over the past couple of years. One act that has certainly earned a place in our hall of fame is former Bottleman Billy Bibby and his new band The Wry Smiles. Post-Catfish he has maintained his high standard of songwriting and has made an assured and promising start to his solo career. Billy was our first ever interviewee and his track ‘Are You Ready?’ found its way into our top ten songs of the year. All that has been missing was the chance to see the lads in action up on stage. I caught up with them at The Leopard to see if they could keep up their high standard for the eager Yorkshire crowd. Continue reading
billy bibby & the wry smiles
Top Ten Songs of 2016
To coincide with this year’s Belwood Awards we’re introducing a new annual list of the top songs of the year. Apologies for the terrible oversight of not starting one sooner! After re-exploring numerous albums and playlists from January onwards, this list eventually formed after countless shuffle rounds and rethinks. Most of this year’s biggest tunes were from up-and-coming artists which needless to say is a very good sign of a thriving music scene. So without further ado, let’s get down to it: Continue reading
Interview: Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles
The time has finally come for Belwood Music’s first ever interview! I caught up with former guitarist and founding member of Catfish and the Bottlemen Billy Bibby to find out more about his influences, the quest for hit singles and his new solo career alongside his backing band The Wry Smiles: Continue reading
Playlist: May/June 2016
Spotlight!: Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles
The former founding member and guitarist of Catfish & the Bottlemen has struck out on his own and is rapidly growing a following just as passionate and loyal as that of the band he helped propel towards stardom. With being a key player on one of the best debut albums of the decade already under his belt it’s hardly surprising that his solo career boasts some of the best indie hits of the year. A self assured musician with talent beyond his years, Billy has gathered a top notch band to help bring his vision to light. Tracks like ‘Don’t Fall’ and ‘Waitin’ For You’ blend together the intricate and impassioned indie rock that made him famous with a subtle hint of Americana. Billy and his Wry Smiles are masters of anthemic choruses and summer ready “sing your heart out” hits. With some top tracks at his disposal it won’t be long until this ex-bottleman and his burgeoning fanbase are selling out venues across the UK.
Fans of Noel Gallagher, Kurt Vile, The Maccabees and (of course) Catfish & the Bottlemen should check out the latest single ‘Are You Ready?‘
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