Big names stalk Apples as their hard work bears fruit (From Hereford Times)

Big names stalk Apples as their hard work bears fruit

4:00pm Friday 10th July 2009 in

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NEW five-piece band Apples are determined to put Hereford on the map and are already well on the way, having been signed by Universal Music Publishing and with their second single, Theo, released on iTunes on July 16.

The group, who only played their first gig in March, managed to attract the interest of many different major labels and music publishers in the first few months of their existence.

Now, the people responsible for the success of artists such as Coldplay, U2 and Lily Allen have added the Hereford band to their roster, and will be promoting their music throughout the world.

Comprising Norman Nouvelle (lead vocals), Glen Roberts (keyboards), J P Baron (lead guitar), Pedro Kirk (bass and brass) and Greg Bishop (drums), Apples met at Hereford Sixth Form College, where all five were involved in music and determined to make it their future.

Their successful incarnation as Apples follows a number of years on other projects.

“It’s never been quite right until now,” said Glen. “We’ve found our sound over the last couple of years.”

And it’s clearly a sound that’s got the music industry talking – at a showcase in Bristol they were seen ‘by everybody in the industry’.

They are clearly still amazed, but thrilled, at the response.

“It doesn’t happen to people from Hereford,” said Glen, going on to qualify the statement by saying that it doesn’t happen to bands who stay in Hereford, as they have – “People tend to go to London.”

Their debut single, Reason 45, released through Puregroove Records, attracted a lot of press attention and was chosen as BBC Six Music’s breakfast show single of the week and The Guardian’s track of the day.

Universal Music Publishing will play a major role in the band’s rise to success by securing commissions and collecting royalties from film, TV and radio over the course of the four album deal.

Despite being poised for the kind of success others dream of, all five members of Apples agree that it’s not about fame for them, “It’s always been music, not stardom,”

said Glen. “We want to be paid for our hobby, but we’d be happy just making music.”

The big change that their signing to Universal immediately makes is that they were paid an advance (against royalties) that allows them to devote their time to the music.

“Up until now, finances have been very difficult. Now we’ve all dropped our jobs to work on the album,” said Glen.

Get a taste of Apples at myspace/apples. Download the new single at iTunes from July 16.