Palace

Green Door Store, Trafalgar Arches, Brighton, Wednesday, October 21

LEO Wyndham admits as a Brighton and Hove Albion fan choosing the name Palace for his band probably wasn’t the best idea.

“It’s quite a controversial name,” says vocalist and guitarist Wyndham, who grew up in Lewes. “Every time Lauren Laverne plays our songs she mentions Will Oldham. A lot of people have said there are similarities in our melodies and things like that although I don’t know much about him. I hope he doesn’t turn up at our studio with a crowbar for stealing his band’s name!”

Like the many incarnations of Will Oldham’s Palace (which also includes Palace Brothers and Palace Music), the four-piece is based around soft guitar-driven melodies and heartfelt lyrics, but don’t stray into alt-country territory.

Their two EPs Chase The Light and Lost In The Night showcase a band with a love of laidback vintage guitar sounds, a bluesy vocal and drums that sound analogue rather than digital.

As Wyndham puts it “we are big fans of atmospheric and ethereal sounding music, which really hits you in a dramatic sense. We wanted to be in a big epic-sounding band.”

Both EPs were recorded in the band’s home from home – a former Tottenham ammunition factory – shared with several other musicians.

“We built it all ourselves,” says Wyndham. “We didn’t have a lot of money for sexy equipment, but it’s just about a working studio. We’re lucky to have our own space in such an inspiring area – we’ve slightly fallen in love with Tottenham. There’s lots of other musicians and interesting people living around there.”

Their story so far has been something out of a rock dream. All old school friends from the age of 14, Wyndham and guitarist Rupert Turner used to play together in a couple of “fun bluesy bands” before deciding to join up with old pals bassist Will Dorey and drummer Matt Hodges.

They were offered their first gig after they had their first rehearsal at Tin Pan Alley near Denmark Street.

“We went in and somebody asked us if we wanted to play a gig,” remembers Wyndham. “They didn’t even know what type of music we played – when they asked we said ‘rocky stuff’.

“People have always been very complimentary when they hear us – they seem to connect with it in some way.”

He points to an open mic they played in Camberwell very early on in their career where members of the audience went out of their way to say they had something.

“In that moment we realised this might be quite interesting,” he says. “It all happened in quite an organic, fun way – we were just doing it for ourselves.”

The band still regularly plays open mics and one-off shows in tiny venues under false names to test out new material.

But the critical acclaim is growing, with lots of plays on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6Music, and props from the likes of NME, Rolling Stone, The Line Of Best Fit and DIY Magazine.

They have also played a few high-profile shows, including supporting Jamie T on his London comeback and Ghostpoet on his UK tour.

Neither would seem a natural fit for a band which cites Wu Lyf and Jeff Buckley as influences.

“Those guys had such different fan bases to us we thought we were not going to go down very well,” admits Wyndham. “We proved to ourselves that our music appeals to a lot of different types of people. It’s a nice feeling knowing we can support a very different genre and not get bottled off! Both Jamie T and Ghostpoet’s fans were amazing and so lovely. We realised we have a nice wide demographic!”

As for the future the band is currently in the planning stages for their first album – which Wyndham says will be a combination of old tracks from the EPs and new material.

And having recorded their first EPs themselves they are looking to bring in an outside ear with an as yet unnamed producer.

“Listening back to the two EPs I feel we have come a long way as musicians and the chemistry within the band,” says Wyndham.

“I’m very proud of the songs on the first EP – they are very simple songs, and the recording is very basic and simple. The new EP has a definite evolution. We’re hoping we can carry that on with the album.

“We are drawing ever closer – we’ve found a producer who’s a very cool guy and should be perfect for us. We’re looking forward to having an outside ear – he’s a talented brilliant musician who also plays guitar which is appealing for us.”

As for now he is looking forward to coming home.

“Brighton is close to my heart,” he says. “I was always going to shows at Green Door Store – it means my mum can come down and watch. I can convince her it’s going well!”

Doors 7pm, tickets £7. Call Resident on 01273 606312.