Sandra's Wedding are a three piece alternative rock group from Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire. They are made up of members Joe Hodgson (Vocals), Jonny Hughes (Guitars) and Luke Harrison (drums). They released their first album physically and digitally on 14 February 2017 entitled Northern Powerhouse. The band's sound and musical themes address love, loss and life in industrial towns across the North of England, with guitarist Jonny Hughes telling one newspaper that the band try to write songs about things that they can identify with, residing and experiencing life in Northern, working class areas.[1]
Sandra's Wedding | |
|---|---|
 Sandra's Wedding in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | Alternative rock, Jangle Pop, Pop rock |
| Years active | 2015-Present |
| Members | Joe Hodgson, Jonny Hughes, Luke Harrison |
Several reviews and articles on the band questioned the origin of the unusual name,[2] with singer/songwriter Joe Hodgson explaining that the band had struggled for a name initially, but hoped that the name evoked a certain kind of person, or specifically a woman, who may have a story to tell.[3]
With the release of Northern Powerhouse, the band gained attention in the press and on radio after the MP for the Northern Powerhouse Andrew Percy commented on the album, stating that after hearing it he enjoyed it so he would try and mention it in Parliament if possible.[1] The band described this as a "bizarre twist" due to the album's political themes of austerity and working class strife, explaining how they didn’t expect the demographic to be Conservative politicians, and expressed their surprise.[2]
The album received initial praise for its "dramatic, powerful vocals" and the way Hodgson's lyrics dealt with heavy subject matter with wit and variety. The sound of the band and the jangly guitars evoke comparisons to bands from the 1980s such as The Smiths[4] and The Housemartins,[5] while others likened the record to having an upbeat feel with an indie folk sound reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac.[6] Another review described it as being a tight recording and praised the record's production.[7]
The band's second album, Frame Yourself, was released in March 2020,[8] followed later that year by Banana Bread, an album recorded entirely during the COVID-19 lockdown.[9]
In 2021, they released a compilation of singles and previous album tracks, Our Previous Leaf, in 2021, to raise money for local charity The Moorlands Community Charity after it suffered a spate of break-ins.[10] Sandra's Wedding's fourth album, mini-album Pleasure Grounds, followed in late 2021,[11] before the release of The Hopeful Boy Replacement Service in August 2023.[12]
In 2024 the band contributed a song to the BBC Sitcom Alma's Not Normal created by Sophie Willan. Jupiter Song appeared in the episode The Black and White Movie and was performed by Richard (Craig Parkinson) with the band's own version played over the closing credits. [13]
Discography
editStudio albums
- Northern Powerhouse (2017)
- Frame Yourself (2020)
- Banana Bread (2020)
- Please Grounds (2021)
- The Hopeful Boy Replacement Service (2023)
EPs
- Good Morning, Bad Blood (2018)
- Another Rugby League Town (2023)
Compilations
- Our Previous Leaf (2021)
Singles
- "Spite Christmas" (2017)
References
edit- ^ a b "Band's debut album Northern Powerhouse wins support from minister with same title". www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ a b Roper, Frank (20 April 2017). "ALBUM REVIEW: Sandra's Wedding - 'Northern Powerhouse' - Local Sound Focus". localsoundfocus.com. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ Garage Recordings (4 April 2017). "Sandra's Wedding - Interview and Talk of Love (Original)". Retrieved 4 May 2017 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Sandra's Wedding - Northern Powerhouse - Riff Publications". riffpublications.com. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- ^ "ALBUM: Sandra's Wedding - 'Northern Powerhouse' - Gigslutz". gigslutz.co.uk. 26 March 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ Shorthouse, Andrew (19 May 2017). "Sandra's Wedding - Northern Powerhouse - York Calling". yorkcalling.co.uk. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- ^ "Today's New Album Review: Sandra's Wedding 'Northern Powerhouse'". www.reytgoodmusic.com. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ Rains, Kian (27 March 2020). "Castleford band Sandra's Wedding release latest album". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Banana Bread - The new "lockdown album" out now". Music Glue. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Huzulak, Angela (10 June 2021). "Band vow to raise cash for charity". Goole Times. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Sandra's Wedding Release Their Latest EP 'Pleasure Grounds'". Music Is To Blame. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Carney, James (1 August 2023). "Castleford band Sandra's Wedding release new album". Wakefield Gazette. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ ""Jupiter Song" - featured in series two of BBC Sitcom Alma's Not Normal". Music Glue. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.