Whyte Horses

Whyte Horses are a psychedelic pop group from Manchester, led by Dominic Thomas, who is also one of the founders of the reissue label Finders Keepers. The project draws on a wide set of influences, including psychedelia, library music, acid folk, Krautrock, tropicália, yé-yé and lounge, and turns them into a dreamy, accessible psych-pop sound.

Releases

The group’s first release is the single Snowfalls, issued on the London label CRC in 2014. Its debut album, Pop or Not, follows after an earlier private pressing and appears in 2016. That record features Julie Margat, also known as Lispector, as well as guest contributions from Jez Williams of Doves, Ian Parton of the Go! Team, Chris Geddes of Belle and Sebastian and indie artist Jim Noir. The album is later re-recorded with the children of St. Bartholomew’s School Choir and issued as Pop or Not: The Music of Whyte Horses.

The next album, Empty Words, appears in 2018 and uses Audrey Pic, formerly of the Envelopes, as a new vocal focus. Elly Jackson of La Roux, Melanie Pain of Nouvelle Vague and Leonore Wheatley of the Soundcarriers also join the lineup on the record. A later release, Hard Times, takes the form of a “fantasy mixtape” built around covers of well-known and obscure songs, with guest vocals from Traceyanne Campbell, Gruff Rhys, La Roux, Chrysta Bell and John Grant; it is issued by CRC Music in 2020.

Live work and collaborations

Whyte Horses’ live shows are described as eventful and often include guest appearances. The group’s first London performance takes place at the Barbican in a show presented as the Whyte Horses Experience, with appearances from La Roux, Badly Drawn Boy, the St. Bart’s Choir and members of the Go! Team.

Style and reception

The project is associated with a layered, eclectic approach that combines psych-pop with a broad reference set from 1960s pop forms and experimental and folk-influenced styles. Pop or Not receives attention from Noel Gallagher and coverage from NME, and Piccadilly Records names it its Album of the Year.