Music

In the 12 months between sessions in the hallowed studios there have been a few developments so Glenn, the band's manager, gets us up-to-date.

Since coming into the studios last year a line up change has occurred. With Matt Ellis departing to The Silver Lakes, a replacement had to be found. The man to do the job was 18-year-old John who used to play bass for TV Kicks. He also plays double bass for the National Youth Orchestra. John joined the fold in the September of last year and has very recently completed his A-Levels.

Of course, it goes without saying that The Rays have gigged during the last year and not only have they supported such bands as Dirty Pretty Things and Killa Kela at Nottingham University but they also became the first Lincoln band to headline at the city’s new Engine Shed. Although the band is unsure of exact figures in attendance they are fairly confident they got better crowds than the likes of The Dammed and The Cooper Temple Clause.

The Rays scoffing live on the Mix!

Such things don't go unnoticed and it's not surprising that they were one of the five bands invited to play in front of Columbia Records at Christopher's. The scouts were impressed by what Lincoln had to show and also offered some useful advice to any band out there trying to make it big – don't try to break London!

And it was just this year that The Rays played along side Razorlight, well two of the members anyway, the Swedish half of the band did a DJ set at Derby University on their way to Radio 1's One Big Weekend in Preston. Also on the bill at Derby were Ghosts, Wheatus (who were in the dressing room next door!), 6 Nation State and My Awesome Compilation.

But gigs aren't the only thing the band's been up to. There's been an E.P. too, and  during May the band recorded a video for their track, 'Economics'.  Tim, who's good friends with Steve at the University of Lincoln, needed a project at the time so it was a case of I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine. It was all filmed using a green background so that digital special effects could be put in afterwards. The band is excitedly awaiting the finished video which will soon be on the Internet.

The new songs were once again produced and engineered by Dan Bowater and Howard Williams, who recorded the band's Economics E.P at dB Studios in Lincoln. It's also hoped that 'Comet' will soon be available on iTunes. The fourth and final new track on the CD is likely to be an as yet unrecorded acoustic song and, although the E.P. is untitled as yet, it may well be called 'The Economics E.P.' to help further promote the new video. 

With the launch of the new E.P. imminent expect a few more gigs lined up in September at Universities around the country and also keep an ear out for 'Learn To Let Go', 'Need A Little More Luck' and 'In Control', all new tracks recently added to their live set.

Andrew on acoustic guitar and vocals, Laurence on acoustic guitar and backing vocals and Steve on piano, came in to perform for the Mix - and a great set it was too.