BIO

Balloon Ascents are a five ­piece alt­-rock band from Oxford, with influences ranging from Mogwai, Tame Impala and Radiohead to Neil Young and The Beatles. Playing misty-­eyed melancholia over psychedelic math beats, as well as their more grooving J.J. Cale ­inspired material, they offer a truly unique glimpse into the musical melting pot of Oxford. Having played together since the age of thirteen, the band has recently emerged from their home­ built studio to much acclaim, hitting the last year hard with new material and hearts newly freed from the schoolyard.

Over summer 2014, Balloon Ascents embarked upon their first European tour, with over ten gigs across three countries, playing both acoustic and plugged in, recording sessions and playing at record stores, venues, cafes and living rooms across Europe.

The last few months, the band have been recording their debut EP packed full of songs from the European tour. They've also had a busy 2014 in general, playing over 50 shows, including seven Sofar Sounds sessions (the band were picked for the 'best of Sofar' playlist with their performance of Aberration being 'definitely one of our favourite Sofar performances' according to Sofar Sounds), multiple BBC Introducing radio plays, have done interviews & live sessions, and appearances at UK festivals including headlining the Oxford City Fireworks Display.

Following their biggest headline show yet at the Academy 2 in Oxford last November, the band was invited by Radiohead's Colin Greenwood and BBC Introducing to play their Independent Venue Week Showcase showcase at The Jericho Tavern.

January 2015 also saw the band launch their long-awaited debut EP with a sold-out 280 cap show at The Bullingdon in Oxford, with over 150 EPs being sold on the night. The EP includes live favourite 'Cutout' - the demo of which was included in Nightshift magazine's top 10 songs of the year.

PRESS:

"My favourite band of the night was probably Balloon Ascents… that band can do amazing things...ones to watch"
BBC Introducing Radio Show, Punt Festival for new music May 2014

"Radiohead, Supergrass, Ride, Foals... every now and then an Oxford band comes along which makes everyone sit up, shut up and take notice.The latest is Balloon Ascents.
Seemingly from nowhere, this frighteningly young and terrifyingly talented five-piece have emerged as one of the great hopes of the Oxford music scene — one of 2015’s hottest new bands, and the next one most likely to hit the big time...."
Oxford Times 2 page article, Jan 2015. Full article: http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/leisure/music/11727451.Balloon_Ascents_heading_for_heights

“Oxford’s most buoyant band on the rise..."
Cover and 2 page feature interview in Oxford's Nightshift magazine, Aug 2014. Full article: http://nightshift.oxfordmusic.net/2014/aug.pdf

"meshing Radiohead’s intelligent electro-rock with Stornoway’s wanderlust folkpop, and plenty more besides"
Nightshift music magazine, Sept 2014

"Five impossibly young guys... with fantastic songs and an impeccable grasp of melody"
Oxfordshire Music Scene, July 2014

"If this year's Punt Festival is going to produce its traditional breakthrough it'll almost certainly be BALLOON ASCENTS, ...producing a set of ingenious creativity... before they’ve even left the stage they’re being offered future gigs and studio time" ­
Nightshift review of Oxford Punt Festival for new music, June 2014

"Like all great pop music, they sound utterly timeless and astonishingly contemporary”
Ocelot, Dec 2013

"definitely one of our favourite Sofar performances"
Sofar Sounds HQ on Balloon Ascents' song Aberration which topped the 'best of Sofar' playlist in early autumn 2014. They have also been included in the Sofar 'Ones to Watch UK' playlist.

EP REVIEWS

"four incredible songs comprising of sublime melodies and five voices in perfect harmony"
Gigslutz EP review, January 2015. Full Review: http://www.gigslutz.co.uk/discovery-week-balloon-ascents

"Balloon Ascents are a young Oxford band earmarked for really big things.. from very first listen this release is a mature, slick indie-pop gem, positively dripping in the kind of smart, melancholic modern pop that the likes of Tame Impala and London Grammar have utilized to great effect"
Ocelot Music Magazine, February 2015. Full review: http://dancingaboutarchitecture.info/2015/02/05/balloon-ascents-e-p-balloon-ascents-reviewed-by-ed-dyer/

"Balloon Ascents are scarily (and exhilaratingly) precocious...
Musically...careful construction, gorgeous yearning harmonies and exquisite grasp of nuance, subtlety and understatement..."
Nightshift Music Magazine, February 2015. Full review: http://nightshift.oxfordmusic.net/2015/feb.pdf