Viva Brother (formerly Brother)

"As sharp as its songs are direct. [The single] "Darling Buds of May" captures the blend of aggression and softness that will serve this band well."—New York Times

The British band formerly known as Brother (UK) and now renamed Viva Brother hail from the depressed southern English town of Slough—the setting for the original UK version of The Office—and specialize in an infectious update of the Britpop sounds popularized in the nineties by bands like Blur and Oasis. Reviewing their U.S. debut set at SXSW, Spin noted, “In their first-ever U.S. gig they confidently ran through a set of inordinately bouncy guitar rock that seemed factory-tooled for open-air-festival croon-alongs. Calculated, shameless, and giddy—but, damn, did it work. I, for one, expect huge things.” Here's another local debut of a breakout band from abroad, like those we've presented for The Joy Formidable or Peter, Bjorn and John in the past. All those interested in the latest hot imports will want to hear Brother rev up their undeniably attractive sound.