oday, Leeds, UK-based English Teacher – comprised of Lily Fontaine (vocals, rhythm guitar, synth), Douglas Frost (drums, piano, vocals), Nicholas Eden (bass) and Lewis Whiting (lead guitar) – announce a US tour in support of their debut album, This Could Be Texas, out April 12th via Island Records. Hailed by Time Magazine as “one of the decade’s most exciting new indie acts,” the tour will see the group’s first performances in Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Washington, DC, alongside a return to New York City. All shows are on sale this Friday, March 29th at 10am local time.
This Could Be Texas, was produced and mixed by Marta Salogni (black midi, Depeche Mode, Björk) and represents the four songwriters’ sonic journeys thus far, with some tracks written at university in 2016-2019’s post-nest-fleeing nostalgia and others in the weeks before entering the studio. It bursts with intricate, math-rock leanings, literary references, and meticulously crafted melodies with lyrics that explore far-ranging themes including social issues, struggling to belong, mental health and science fiction. On several songs, Fontaine reflects on growing up as a mixed-race individual in a place “where many didn’t have understanding or even tolerance towards people who are different,” which only became more evident as she gained adulthood in the era of the Brexit referendum. “Sonically and lyrically, the album is about not being quite like one thing, nor quite like another,” Fontaine says, “existing in that space between being assigned a choice and completing it where anything is possible.” From their earliest days practicing in basements, to gigging at grassroots venues and more, This Could Be Texas provides a fitting reflection of English Teacher’s work to date.
Since the release of their Polyawkward EP (2022), English Teacher has toured with Parquet Courts and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, sold out all of their UK and EU headline dates as well as their debut New York City show at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, taped an excellent session with WFUV, and played Later . . . with Jools Holland. They’ve graced the cover of the NME, made TIME’s “Top 10 Best Songs of 2023,” and have been recognized by the likes of the New York Times, The Guardian, FADER, Pitchfork, Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, and NYLON.
Watch the Video for “The World’s Biggest Paving Slab”
Watch the Video for “R&B”
Listen to “Albert Road”
Listen to “Mastermind Speciliam”
Listen to “Nearly Daffodils”
Pre-order This Could Be Texas
English Teacher Tour Dates
(New Dates in Bold)
Wed. May 8 – Brighton, UK @ Concorde 2
Thu. May 9 – Portsmouth, UK @ Wedgewood Rooms
Fri. May 10 – Bristol, UK @ Thekla
Sat. May 11 – Cardiff, UK @ Clwb lfor Bach
Mon. May 13 – Oxford, UK @ The Bullingdon
Wed. May 15 – Sheffield, UK @ The Foundry
Thu. May 16 – Leeds, UK @ Irish Centre
Fri. May 17 – Edinburgh, UK @ Mash House
Sat. May 18 – Glasgow, UK @ King Tuts
Tue. May 21 – Belfast, UK @ Ulster Sports Club
Wed. May 22 – Dublin, UK @ Whelan’s
Fri. May 24 – Manchester, UK @ Gorilla
Sat. May 25 – Birmingham, UK @ Castle and Falcon
Tue. May 28 – Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms
Wed. May 29 – London, UK @ Electric Brixton
Sun. June 9 – Washington, DC @ The Atlantis
Mon. June 10 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Wed. June 12 – Boston, MA @ Sonia
Fri. June 14 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry
Sun. June 16 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern
Keep your mind open.
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[Thanks to Jaycee at Pitch Perfect PR.]