Formed in Brighton in 2022 by frontman Billy Marsh, Ideal Living notably features musicians from across the city’s current wave of emergent alternative acts (Flip Top Head and SoftTop among them) in its ever-shifting orchestra. They have shared a double single release with ‘Roam’ / ‘OFD’
Inspired in equal parts by the brooding narratives of Tom Waits or Nick Cave, the brash melodrama of Ennio Morricone’s Spaghetti Western soundtracks, and a passing obsession with Classic FM, this upcoming brace of tracks – Produced by Bobby Smiles (Hutch) at Brighton’s Electric Studios – sees the band reflect on themes of loneliness and urbanisation via the harsh lens of modernity, as frontman (and band founder) Billy Marsh explains:
“‘Roam’ came about at the tail end of Covid, when I’d fallen out with my previous project and was going on lots of walks; my feelings at that time were mingling with my observations of the countryside around Brighton, how it’s being eaten away at, and how these beautiful landscapes are changing. ‘OFD’ or ‘Old Forgotten Days’ reflects on relationships with once close friends ending on bitter terms, channelling all the anger, the annoyance, and the regret.”
Sounding like a 70s cop show theme tune, ‘Roam’ has a gentle jazz vibe that verges on religiously hypnotic. Marsh’s raconteur ramblings are as captivating as the band’s cinematic soundscape. OFD continues this captivating brilliance, adding a spooky, lonesome vibe with Marsh again proving that he rightly belongs in the performance arts. The track tips off a cliff of desperation with the clatter of drums and the busting of horns under the insane vocals ramblngs. To be this adventurous with your music, you need exceptional songcraft. Luckily, Ideal Living has this in abundance. Welcome to your new favourite band.
Check out Roam, here
Check out OFD, here
Upcoming Live Dates:
10 JUL // London, The Old Blue Last
11 JUL // Reading, The Butler
