honest, passionate and unmerciful

The Guardian have said “they could be the world’s biggest new band” and their critics would have you believe that their most similar contemporaries are Wet Wet Wet and Simply Red. Although lead singer Alex Vargas takes any comparison to pop legends Marti Pellow and Mick Hucknall as a compliment more than a criticism, the band are also quick to point out that they’re not ‘Boys Aloud’. So who exactly are Vagabond?

Well for a start they’re Xenomania’s latest offerings. Think you don’t know who or what Xenomania are? Well, you probably do. Xenomania are a pop production super house; writing, producing and remixing tracks for the likes of Kylie, Girls Aloud and Sugababes since the late 90s. Bassist Sam Odiwe worries that “people who love Xenomania want it to sound like Girls Aloud, which it doesn’t. And people that hate Girls Aloud think we’re going to sound like Girls Aloud”. Have no fear however, Odiwe says: “both the band and Xenomania are trying to challenge the preconceptions we get”.
Quintet Vagabond are actually far from your average fabricated boy band and started life eighteen months ago when members Steve, Luke and Alex met whilst all sessioning seperately at Xenomania’s studio. As the guys highlight, the cut-throat nature of the industry is never more prominent than when facing the pressure in a recording studio, explaining how “some people end up being in-house musicians, some end up being writers and some leave after a couple of days ‘cos they can’t handle it”. And in the case of Vagabond, some end up forming a band. After roping in the talent of Sam on bass and Karl Penney on drums the band was soon formed. And the name? The guys had a strict criteria: something memorable and strong sounding and definitely not involving ‘The’. With a little help from their friend Sheila B ‘Vagabond’ was born – perfectly encapsulating the band’s vibe, fitting with the idea that they “want to be traveling around playing gigs to anyone and everyone who’ll listen.”
So, their sound? Influenced by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke and Otis Redding it has a definite Motown feel. But, admittedly, they all come from different musical backgrounds; Luke playing in an Indie band and guitarist Steve Carter playing soul. Although careful not to pigeon-hole themselves into one genre they describe their sound as ‘soulful pop’ and are influenced most greatly by ambitious artists whose main ambition that had ambition and wrote songs that get everyone going. Their sound is mellow and sophisticated, but far from pretentious, mixing catchy anthems such as ‘Don’t Wanna Run No More’ with more chilling melodies in ‘I Know A Girl’. The band’s sound is genuine; drawing upon life experience and working as a band in a unique way. Vargas admits how Vagabond’s unconventional and diverse style of writing certainly “hasn’t come together in a rehearsal room”. Alex works to develop the core of songs lyrically and melodically then Luke, Sam, Steve and Karl step in to layer over the top. For Vagabond then their style isn’t about just one thing and the band makes a feature of the fact that their sound is so multi-faceted; “we have synth-driven electro sounding songs to rock and then the live side of things” says Vargas. Although somewhat apprehensive about their headline, the band admit that a show is worth ten rehearsals, and they are more than excited to be out on the road showcasing what they’ve created. “When you’re playing a gig supporting James Morrison you’re playing to a sold out crowd” admits Guitarist Luke. However, on this tour the crowds will be there to see them alone, and Odiwe admits it can be a “massive confidence booster.”
Their debut album ‘You Don’t Know The Half Of It’ perfectly sums up Vagabond’s ethos; just when you think you’ve pegged down their style another surprise is just around the corner. ‘You Don’t Know The Half Of It’ is out now on Geffen Records.

Words by Clare Harrison