CANDIDATE
I write songs and play in the band Candidate. I sing and play guitars.
I've been in bands for as long as I've written scripts and done comedy. I always enjoyed doing both.
I think comedy and music are (deep down) the same thing.
I've been in bands for as long as I've written scripts and done comedy. I always enjoyed doing both.
I think comedy and music are (deep down) the same thing.
Here we are. That's IAN PAINTER, ALEX MORRIS, ALEX DONOHOE, and me.
We play everything and produce it all ourselves, and do a lot of harmony singing.
We've won album of the year nods from The Sunday Times, BBC Radio 2, and even Rolling Stone.
The best available bridge between lo-fi Americana
and the woody thrum of archaic Britfolk.
– Q MAGAZINE
We have had six albums out.
We play everything and produce it all ourselves, and do a lot of harmony singing.
We've won album of the year nods from The Sunday Times, BBC Radio 2, and even Rolling Stone.
The best available bridge between lo-fi Americana
and the woody thrum of archaic Britfolk.
– Q MAGAZINE
We have had six albums out.
- TAKING ON THE ENEMY'S SOUND (2000)
- TIGER FLIES (2002)
- NUADA (2003)
- UNDER THE SKYLON (2005)
- OXENGATE (2007)
- POINT CLEAR (2023)
(Photo by Alexis Dubus)
All these, and our back catalogue of singles and EPs, are available via our BANDCAMP page.
We also did the theme music for the Jonny Vegas sitcom IDEAL
We were always on a self-run small indie label, and like it that way.
We're available on all the usual streamers – you know who they are – and in record shops, distributed by STATE 51 and PIAS.
Our new records are currently licensed through the lovely folks at CORDUROY PUNK.
We also did the theme music for the Jonny Vegas sitcom IDEAL
We were always on a self-run small indie label, and like it that way.
We're available on all the usual streamers – you know who they are – and in record shops, distributed by STATE 51 and PIAS.
Our new records are currently licensed through the lovely folks at CORDUROY PUNK.
WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT CANDIDATE
A superb band. One of the best in Britain.
Stuart Maconie, BBC Radio 6
Candidate are Britain's most tasteful, witty and thoughtful band. Splices Nick Drake’s pastoral euphoria with West Coast hippie harmonies... thrums like early Fairport Convention...
Stewart Lee, Sunday Times ‘Album of the Week’
Like Midlake’s ‘The Trials Of Van Occupanther’, the results blend ancient and modern sensibilities...
A well-crafted, engrossing work of the imagination.
The Independent
With their beautifully spun vocal harmonies, thoughtful lyrics and alluring melodies, the band recall the likes of Crosby Stills & Nash... while always keeping one foot in the ancient roots of Brit-folk.
Uncut Magazine
A folk rock classic
Sunday Times
A modern folk record of haunting grace and beauty... A precious, audacious album.
NME
A gem of superior British folk music.
Sunday Times, Albums of the Year
Effortless tunefulness... A spark of real grandeur.
Mojo Magazine
A superb band. One of the best in Britain.
Stuart Maconie, BBC Radio 6
Candidate are Britain's most tasteful, witty and thoughtful band. Splices Nick Drake’s pastoral euphoria with West Coast hippie harmonies... thrums like early Fairport Convention...
Stewart Lee, Sunday Times ‘Album of the Week’
Like Midlake’s ‘The Trials Of Van Occupanther’, the results blend ancient and modern sensibilities...
A well-crafted, engrossing work of the imagination.
The Independent
With their beautifully spun vocal harmonies, thoughtful lyrics and alluring melodies, the band recall the likes of Crosby Stills & Nash... while always keeping one foot in the ancient roots of Brit-folk.
Uncut Magazine
A folk rock classic
Sunday Times
A modern folk record of haunting grace and beauty... A precious, audacious album.
NME
A gem of superior British folk music.
Sunday Times, Albums of the Year
Effortless tunefulness... A spark of real grandeur.
Mojo Magazine