The Lottery Winners

The Lottery Winners

The Lottery Winners are an indie group from Leigh, Lancashire, active since 2008. The band is made up of Robert Lally, Alexandria Langford-Taylor, Katie Lloyd, Thom Rylance and Joe Singleton. They are an indie act with roots in indie pop, indie rock and rock, and their music is built around melodic, wistful songs and reflective lyrics.

Background

The band forms in Leigh in October 2008. Thom Rylance, the frontman and main songwriter, is born in Salford and grows up with a strong interest in 1980s pop and indie music, including Aztec Camera, Orange Juice, David Bowie, Blondie, Tears for Fears and New Order, as well as the Smiths, the Cure and Joy Division. He also cites Freddie Mercury as an early inspiration for wanting to perform on stage.

Style and live work

The Lottery Winners are described as an indie-jangle-pop quartet with a sound that sits between the Beach Boys and the Smiths. Their songs combine expansive melodies with introspective lyrics. The band plays extensively live and supports acts including the Futureheads, the Charlatans and the Enemy. They also build a loyal following during their live shows.

Recording

At one point in their career, the band has no official release. They later work towards their debut EP, Somebody Loved You, which contains five tracks and reflects the band’s experiences over time, especially a difficult but productive period. Robert Lally, guitarist, and Katie Lloyd both describe the recording as something the band works on carefully and with a strong focus on getting the material right before sharing it.

Band members

Katie Lloyd joins after a “Bassist Wanted” notice appears at Heybrook Music, the only guitar shop in Leigh, while Joe Singleton, the drummer, joins after Katie asks him repeatedly to take part. Thomas Rylance and Robert Lally are best friends before the band forms. The line-up also includes Alexandria Langford-Taylor.

Reputation

The Lottery Winners present themselves as a band focused on songs rather than fashion or short-term trends, and the group’s identity is rooted in a long-term commitment to writing and performing together.