Boxed In

Boxed In

Boxed In is a UK dance-pop project fronted by Oli Bayston, who writes and produces most of the music. It is active from 2011 and is based in England. Bayston uses the name as an alias for his work as a singer, songwriter and record producer.

Background

The name is partly inspired by Francis Bacon’s painting Head VI and by a phrase associated with the idea of singing as something that escapes through the mouth. Boxed In first appears in wider attention after being featured in The Guardian’s “New band of the day” in October 2013.

Releases

The first single, “All Your Love Is Gone”, is released through Moshi Moshi Records in November 2013. The self-titled debut album follows in January 2015 on Nettwerk Records. That album includes the singles “Mystery”, “Run Quicker” and “False Alarm”, and draws positive notice, including coverage from NME. It is also compared with LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip.

A second album, Melt, is released via Nettwerk Records in September 2016. The single “Jist” premieres in June 2016, and appears on Lauren Laverne’s Just Added playlist. In April 2016, Speedy Wunderground releases “Running Out”, a track by Boxed In featuring Formation.

Broadcast, live shows and sessions

Boxed In receives support from BBC Radio 1, including Huw Stephens’ It’s Album Time session, and from BBC Radio 6 Music, including a live session with Lauren Laverne. KCRW places the debut album in its top 10 albums of 2015, and Spotify also supports the release. The project plays sold-out shows at London’s XOYO and Oslo in Hackney.

After a performance at SXSW in March 2015, KCRW music director Jason Bentley invites the band to Los Angeles to appear alongside TV On The Radio at the station’s Sound In Focus festival.

Live band

Although Bayston handles most of the writing and production, the live group and recording line-up also includes Jack Benfield on synths and guitars, Mark Nicholls on bass, and Liam Hutton on drums. Bayston performs vocals, keyboards, guitars and programming.