Secret Rivals

Secret Rivals

Secret Rivals is a four-piece indie pop band based in Oxford, England. The group has split boy-girl vocals and writes about fall-outs, secrets, despair, hope and the wish to put things right. Its sound is influenced by The Cribs, Idlewild, Pixies and The Wedding Present, and is described as an 80s-synth-infused lo-fi indie punk-pop style with vocals compared to riot grrrl bands, Bis and Huggy Bear.

Releases and radio play

The band first draws attention with the debut EP Start Fires. That release is played on BBC 6 Music by Tom Robinson and Steve Lamacq, and also appears on BBC Introducing in Oxford and Berkshire. Secret Rivals later release the mini-album Make Do And Mend, followed by Make Do And Mend (Part 2). The single Tonight Matthew is named Rob Da Bank’s “Tune of the Day” on BBC Radio 1, while Once More With Heart receives airplay from Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music, features on Sky Sports TV programme Soccer AM, and has its video streamed exclusively on NME.com.

Live work

Secret Rivals build a reputation through energetic live performances and share stages with Summer Camp, The Big Pink, The Chapman Family, La Faro, The Rural Alberta Advantage and Wilder. The band also appears at Bestival and later plays festival dates including Liverpool Sound City and Wychwood.

Name

The name is used by more than one group, including a Canadian hardcore punk band from Edmonton featuring Terry Johnson of the smalls.