The Trusted - Bio Updated Jan 2019
“Wow" – Gary Crowley, BBC Introducing London“These boys are determined to impress as much with their honed live sets as they are with their
recorded work” – Media Match
“An exciting insight into The Trusted’s constant evolution” – Derval Mc Cloat, Fresh on the Net
The Trusted are Southend-on-Sea natives Dave Batchelor, Dale Holt-Mead and brothers Fin and
Tom Cunningham. Their latest self-released single Vicious will be available to stream and
download from 15th February, 2019. It will be accompanied by a Mike Briggs directed visual.
Vicious is a sensual swagger driven by louche guitar riffs, and is the band’s follow up to 2018’s
anthemic single Cigarettes and Chandeliers.
Arriving into adulthood is a bitter-sweet experience. Abandoned childhood fascinations make way
for tough life lessons. But also the hope and potential that comes with taking charge – of both
your life and others’. These are central themes in The Trusted’s growing catalogue.
Although The Trusted only formed in mid-2016, their relationship dates back to their early days at
secondary school. First to develop a bond over music were guitarist Dale and lead singer Tom,
forming a writing partnership that shared a common appreciation of a strong melody, which is
evident throughout the atmospheric, edgy pop they create.
It wasn’t long before the duo was joined by Tom’s brother Fin on bass, followed by drummer
Dave in early 2016.
“I know it sounds cliché, but when the four of us got in a room together for the first time, it felt
special; it felt like we had found something,” lead singer Tom explains. “We named our new
special thing ‘The Trusted’ and we’ve been building it ever since”
The band shared an enthusiasm for 21st century Brit-rock lead by the likes of Catfish and the
Bottlemen and The 1975, as well as classic late ‘70s new-wave icons such as The Clash and Elvis
Costello. That fusion of punk energy and post-punk storytelling along with an ear for a seriously
commercial hook made an indelible yet subtle watermark on The Trusted’s musical output.
Possessing an irresistible charm, an undeniable wit, and an infectious personality shining through
their adventurous brand of youthful punked-up indie rock, The Trusted are both a refreshing tonic,and a barrage of fireworks rolled into one. Seamlessly switching from mellow, artfully
constructed melodic thoughtfulness into wild, explosive moments of raucous brilliance, there’s a
surprise around every corner within The Trusted’s music and songwriting, all executed with an
undeniable measure of passion and grit.
Their debut single Turbulence was released Feb 2017, followed by Good to Bad, Sunlight, Boy
and the 2018 anthemic tease No Real Control capped off with the massive retro glam-rock sound
of Cigarettes and Chandliers. All were self-released.
The support that followed was overwhelming. In addition to hits on Hype Machine and
enthusiastic blog reviews, support over the airwaves came from major radio players including
Tom Robinson of BBC 6 Music, Gary Crowley of BBC London, BTTV and Charlie Ashcroft
Amazing Radio.
The band have successfully brought their unique new wave-esque alt-rock to the stage. With an
increasing number of prestigious live shows under their belts, fans have not been left disappointed
by their hypnotic and mind-blowing live sets.
Alongside critical praise from the likes of Gigslutz and Media Match, not to mention widespread
BBC Introducing and Virgin Radio airplay, the four-piece have been earmarked by BBC 6 Music
Presenter Tom Robinson’s Fresh on the Net, and Hoxton Radio as one of the South East’s most
vibrant emerging acts, drawing welcome comparisons to fellow rockers The Black Crows and
Catfish and the Bottlemen amongst others.
"I really love their positivity and easy energy. This is the kind of thing that, when I was in my
twenties, I would have just put on a loop" – BBC Introducing
“This is fast, urgent, plangent, with murmuring vocals and a hazy shade of wintry melancholia.” –
Hoxton Radio
A Message from The Trusted
“We are a four-piece indie-alternative rock band from Southend-On-Sea, and we want to reach
out to people to bring them along with us on our journey. Our music is all about feeling;
everything we write means something to us, whether it comes from a happy place or a sad place
inside of us. We want people to ‘feel’ our songs. When they listen to them online or come to a gig,
they can see and hear that it’s all about emotion, energy and soul!”
