Radio 2 Music Club Introduces ...The Hoosiers
An exclusive concert from the BBC's Maida Vale studios. Watch the band's interview with Simon Mayo below.
The Hoosiers are Martin Skarendahl, Irwin Sparkes and Alfonso Sharland, a motley threesome hailing from Exeter, Reading and Stockholm who create a sound that they call ‘odd pop’. Odd pop is a sound that combines a number of musical genres and draws from the bands personal influences like The Cure, Jeff Buckley, The Flaming Lips or XTC.
Alfonso and Irwin grew up together near Reading. When they were sixteen their chemistry teacher encouraged them to go and do some living, believing that you can't write about life if you haven't lived it. So taking his advice the pair jetted off to the States for a life enhancing road trip. Along the way they managed to get lost a few times and win themselves a Football Scholarship at the University of Indianapolis...even though they both claim to be allergic to running.
Once their Mid West American adventure had given the guys enough material to write their songs they headed straight home and into a London studio to start working on their album. It was there that they picked up the third member of the band, Martin Skarendahl. Martin had given up a career as a fireman in Sweden to embark on his own globe-trotting adventures. When Alfonso and Irwin chanced upon him in the studio, he was working there as an assistant engineer.
As a threesome their creative juices started to flow and together they have created an energetic and exciting new album.
We hope you enjoy this exclusive performance for the Radio 2 Music Club.
Read what others have said
John Walters - Cowling, North Yorkshire
Just heard the last few songs, 'Finally something NEW!'
Carol - Aylesbury
Great Gig - excellent vocals!! Quite Buckley in places. Lovin' it!
Nicky - Oxford
Top Band - Looking forward to seeing them in Oxford on the 7th July!!
Gary Amor - Woodley
I wrote a reference for Irwin and Sharland to help get them the football Scholarship and told them I thought they were mad for going. They were good then but they are great now. If these guys dont go onto be massive then ill eat my football boots
Lorraine Cook
Haven't seen the concert, but think The Hoosiers are great! I would love to see a concert of theirs tho as their music gives a "feel happy" and "positive" as well as "fun loving" vibe for me! Keep up the good work guys, very refreshing!
Kiera Jay - London
Awwweeessssooooommmmmeeee! I love them and even more so their music. Mr. A and Killer rocks. Great sound, great guys
Steve Dacre - Woodley
very brill - Killer was an awesome tune - have known Irwin since school and the little man can still do a great performance
Ryland Thomas , East Grinstead
they where amazing, not normally what i would listen to , but they got me into it, by involving the crowd and there amazing on stage antics it was really good, especially getting on stage it was a mental lil way to introduce the album . thank radio 2
Cardinal, Berks
Great set from the Hoosiers tonight, really enjoyed "Killer" & "Worried about Ray". They clearly have a bright future with a versatile mix of accoustic & elctro odd-pop. Listen to them now before someone else does!
