Urusen

Urusen is a UK folk rock and indie group active since 2003. The band takes its name from a character in the artwork for its first release. Based in London, it becomes known for song-led material that combines folk elements, rock arrangements and layered harmonies.

Career and recordings

The group records its album This Is Where We Meet at Realworld Studios, with production by Steve Osborne, who has worked with Elbow, KT Tunstall and PJ Harvey. That recording leads to Urusen being chosen by Peter Gabriel and Real World as a featured artist on B&W’s Society of Sound, alongside acts including The Unthanks and Portico Quartet.

Live work and festivals

Urusen performs at a range of UK festivals, including The Big Chill, Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Wychwood and 2000 Trees. The band also tours with artists such as The Travelling Band, The Staves, Stornoway and Basia Bulat. It is selected as a highlight pick by The Independent in its top ten gigs of the week, while Metro describes the group as “Sweepingly memorable” and The Telegraph calls it “Terrifically atmospheric”.

Musical style

Their music is described as drawing on a distinctly British quality while also sharing traits with contemporary American bands such as Midlake and The National. Their songs use a range of instruments under rousing harmonies, with lyrical storytelling, strong delivery and melodic writing forming a central part of the group’s sound.