The Daylight are a dreamy 3 piece indie band from London and Brighton made up of Jacob Chadler (vocals, guitar), Theo Byrd (bass) and Alex Probert-Jones (drums). I managed to catch up with them about their new single ‘Ghosts’ and learn what’s in store for the band in the coming months – lots more music it turns out!
There’s a poetry to their music which is deeply touching.
Emma Miller » indie top 39
There is a strong romantic quality to this band which even in a rocky, layered indie track like ‘Ghosts’, still manages to transcend. Beautifully intimate vocals from Chandler, driving, inventive drums and strong rhythmic bass are all delivered with such an uplifting energy that there is a certain juxtaposition to the emotionally raw lyric. For this reason, I found myself experiencing the track as something very cathartic, rather than as a moment to wallow or feel hopeless in the theme of loss and grief.
You get more and more from this track each time you listen. The craft in the music and production itself is enough to keep you coming back, but the band’s knack for delivering emotionally honest and frank themes lends a poetry to their music which is deeply touching. After such a strong beginning for The Daylight on the live music scene (playing sold out shows), I hope this band gets to continue to bring their music to live audiences in the near future.
Can you tell us a little bit about your new single, ‘Ghosts’?
Well, the song is about dealing with the loss of a loved one. How it can take its toll on you, personally for me (Jacob) I lost a lot of people in a short period of time and struggled to open up about it, hence the song.
How did The Daylight begin?
So I (Jacob) met Alex first a few years ago when she was playing drums in my friends band Richa, and I adored her drumming style. I then met Theo at a gig at the Green Door Store when I moved to brighton and I’d just started my own record label and wanted to put his old band out, which I did, called: Good Guy Clarence. Over the years Alex and I reconnected various times and I asked her if she wanted to play drums and she said yes, so originally it was just us two playing in her basement then Theo joined later.
Lyrically, your songs touch on very personal subjects. Is it ever difficult to share lyrics and develop ideas as a band when it’s something so vulnerable?
Mmm, not really. Sonically speaking, we worked together, the guys create their own pieces for their instruments but it normally comes from me presenting the overall mood, the guitar and lyrics. I never feel like I can’t express myself lyrically the guys understand how I write and that’s a real blessing for me to have friends that understand that.
Who would be your dream to support on tour?
So hard to choose, I think a mutual band we all like is: Grizzly Bear. So probably them.
We were so nervous but it was amazing, queues out the door.
the daylight
As a band, what’s a moment or achievement you’re really proud of? Can you share your best gig memory?
Mmm… Playing the shows we have so far has been a blessing, recording at the Abbey Road Institute was a great feeling, producing everything ourselves, it felt good. Our best gig memory is probably supporting: Beatenberg at The 100 Club. It was our first ever show, it had oversold out by 100x people, we were so nervous but it was amazing, queues out the door. Pretty surreal.
Do you have any recommendations of artists we might not have heard of yet?
Kudu Blue, they’re insane, good friends of ours. They’ve actually done a remix of ‘Ghosts’ which will be out soon. Isabelle Brown is also mad for her age, met her at Latitude, super young and so talented.
What is a song you’ll never stop listening to?
For me (Alex) it’s: Franki Valli & The Four Seasons – The Night.
For Jacob it’s: Martha & The Muffins – Echo Beach
If you could put your music on a TV show or film what would it be and why?
Some Scandinavian police drama? I have no clue it’s a bit too dark for daytime television (chuckles).
We want to be seen and heard, whatever form that comes in.
the daylight
What’s in store for The Daylight for the rest of the year and do you have any hopes and dreams for where the band might be in the future?
Well, COVID-19 has thrown a major spanner in the works, the cheeky thing. We just want to release more music we’re currently sorting the next single at the moment, more gigs, it’s really hard to say at the moment, but we want to be seen and heard, whatever form that comes in I guess?
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our audience?
Please share “Ghosts” a remix is coming soon and so will our next single. We also have our next show in Brighton on the 17th of September at The Rosehill, supporting: HANYA, Fingers crossed things change and we can play sooner.
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