Leeds indie four-piece English Teacher announce their debut album This Could Be Texas set for release on 12 April via Island Records. Accompanying the announcement they have also released new single ‘Albert Road’ and details of their biggest headline tour to date this spring.
This Could Be Texas marks the culmination of a band who have worked tirelessly to craft and develop their music. From their earliest days practicing in basements around Leeds, to gigging at grassroots venues and more, the group’s debut record provides a fitting reflection of their work to date. With its intricately layered and meticulously crafted melodies, the four-piece explore far-ranging themes such as a lack of belonging, collective anxiety and insecurity, as explained by frontperson Lily Fontaine: “I want this album to feel like you’ve gone to space and it turns out it’s almost identical to Doncaster. It’s about in betweens, it’s about home, and it’s about Desire Paths.” In several songs, Fontaine reflects on growing up as a mixed-race individual in a place, she says: “where many didn’t have any tolerance towards people who are different” in a post-Brexit landscape.
This is exemplified by the gentle, gorgeous balladry of newest LP reveal ‘Albert Road’. “Don’t take their prejudice to heart / They hate everyone / The world around them never showed / How loving can be fun,” Fontaine sings on this emotive album standout. Guitar driven with touches of synth and brass, it’s reminiscent of the crushing heart-on-sleeve lyricism of The National’s Matt Berninger. “And that’s why we are how we are” Fontaine sings at the song’s end, as it builds up to a screaming crescendo. Speaking ahead of their latest single, Fontaine revealed:
“When people ask where I’m from I usually say I’m mixed race: half Yorkshire, half Lancashire. It allows me to divert with comedy from the potential connotations of that question, which change wildly depending on who’s asking it. One end of Albert Road in Colne (her hometown) is cold, underfunded and uninspiring; the other is warm at night with live music. It sums up how I look back on the place I lived for 19 years.”
Detailing the accompanying visuals, co-director Douglas Frost added:
“This video, co-directed alongside the talented Sarah Oglesby at Sodium Films, represents the complex feelings of love one might have towards their hometown. I wanted ‘Albert Road’ to have a dream-like feel whilst keeping a firm grip on reality. That’s why we chose to film in one of our favourite pubs in Leeds, The Cardigan Arms – its classic interior was a great juxtaposition to the ethereal qualities of the video. There are also a few Easter eggs for those die hard English Teacher fans (if you’re out there please make contact). This is technically my directorial debut so sit back, shut up and be nice.”
English Teacher Live Dates
JANUARY
28 – The Crescent, York
29 – The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
31 – The Georgian Theatre, Stockton-on-Tees
FEBRUARY
1 – Polar Bear, Hull
2 – Whereelse?, Margate
3 – Bedford Esquires, Bedford
8 – L’Ubu, Rennes, FRA
9 – Le Krakatoa, Mérignac, FRA
10 – Point Éphémère, Paris, FRA
13 – Cactus Club, Brugge, BEL
14 – Trix, Antwerpen, BEL
17 – Molotow, Hamburg, GER
18 – Cassiopeia, Berlin, GER
20 – Kranhalle, Munchen, GER
22 – Vera, Groningen, NL
23 – Rotown, Rotterdam, NL
24 – Paradiso Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam, NL
MAY
8 – Concorde 2, Brighton
9 – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
10 – Thekla, Bristol
11 – Clwb lfor Bach, Cardiff
13 – The Bullingdon, Oxford
15 – The Foundry, Sheffield
16 – Irish Centre, Leeds
17 – Mash House, Edinburgh
18 – King Tuts, Glasgow
21 – Ulster Sports Club, Belfast
22 – Whelans, Dublin
24 – Gorilla, Manchester
25 – Castle and Falcon, Birmingham
28 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
29 – Electric Brixton, London
For more details on English Teacher please check their facebook and instagram
