Hayden Thorpe is an English singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Kendal, United Kingdom, born in 1986. He is based in Walthamstow, London.

Career

Thorpe is best known as the lead vocalist of the indie pop band Wild Beasts. He co-founds the group as a duo with guitarist Ben Little in 2002, and it later expands into a four-piece. He remains with the band until 2018.

Wild Beasts release five studio albums on Domino Records. The group gains critical acclaim but only modest commercial success.

After Wild Beasts ends, Thorpe continues as a solo artist. His debut solo album, Diviner, is released through Domino in 2019.

Style and influences

Thorpe is known for an operatic countertenor voice that stands out in indie rock and is often described as unusual. His influences include Leonard Cohen, Kate Bush and The Smiths, and he also cites Arthur Rimbaud as an influence on his lyrics.