Syd Arthur

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Syd Arthur

| image = Syd Arthur.jpg

| caption = Syd Arthur performing at The Great Escape Festival

| origin = Canterbury, Kent, England

| genre = Canterbury Scene, alternative rock, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, English folk

| years_active = {{start date|2003}}–2017

| label = Harvest Records
Dawn Chorus Recording Company
Green Bean Records
Madman Records

| associated_acts =

| website = {{URL|http://www.sydarthur.co.uk/}}

| current_members =

| past_members = Liam Magill
Joel Magill
Josh Magill
Raven Bush
Fred Rother

}}

Syd Arthur were an English psychedelic rock{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/syd-arthur-mn0003121508/biography |title=Artist Biography |publisher=Allmusic |date= |accessdate=2019-07-20}} band, formed in Canterbury in 2003 by brothers frontman Liam and bassist Joel Magill, drummer Fred Rother and violinist Raven Bush. Rother was replaced by the Magills' younger brother Josh in 2016.

History

Formed in 2003, the band were initially known as Grumpy Jumper{{cite web |url=http://www.mrgig.com/orange-street-music-club-canterbury?show=1003 |title=Entertainment Guide |publisher=Mr Gig |date= |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006112631/http://www.mrgig.com/orange-street-music-club-canterbury?show=1003 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.kentgigs.com/gigs/28-09-03.htm |title=Kent Gig Guide from |publisher=kentgigs.com |date= |accessdate=2016-01-20}} and then Moshka before settling on the name Syd Arthur.{{cite news|author=Paul Lester |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/feb/15/new-band-syd-arthur |title=New band of the day – No 726: Syd Arthur | Music |work=The Guardian |date= 15 February 2010|accessdate=2016-01-20}} The band's name is taken from the 1922 Hermann Hesse novel Siddhartha, with the spelling changed reportedly as a nod to the influences of Syd Barrett and Arthur Lee.{{cite web|author=Matthew Lindsay |url=http://vulturehound.co.uk/2012/08/syd-arthur-on-and-on-album-review/ |title=» Syd Arthur – On and On (Album Review) Vulture Hound Magazine |publisher=Vulturehound.co.uk |date=2012-08-16 |accessdate=2016-01-20}} The Magill brothers had played together since childhood, added drummer Fred Rother in high school and classmate Raven Bush became the final member at 17. Bush is the son of John Carder Bush, brother of Kate Bush.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/syd-arthur-brings-back-canterbury-rock-article-1.1808771 |title=Syd Arthur brings back Canterbury rock |publisher=NY Daily News |date=2014-05-30 |accessdate=2016-01-20}}

The band released their self-titled debut album in 2006 on Madman Records{{cite web|url=http://www.madmanrecords.co.uk/ |title=Home page |website=Madmanrecords.co.uk |accessdate=2016-11-21}} and the Kingdoms Of Experience EP in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/syd-arthur/discography/2334081/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007082117/http://www.mtv.com/artists/syd-arthur/discography/2334081/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 October 2014 |title=Kingdoms of Experience by Syd Arthur |publisher=MTV |date=2008-07-22 |accessdate=2016-01-20}} The band then set up their own recording space, Wicker Studios, and their own label, Dawn Chorus Recording Company.{{cite web |url=http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/152822-syd-arthur-single-dorothy-dawn-chorus-recording.html |title=Archived copy |website=hangout.altsounds.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004025610/http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/152822-syd-arthur-single-dorothy-dawn-chorus-recording.html |archive-date=4 October 2012 |url-status=dead}} In 2011 they self-released the Moving World EP and "Ode to the Summer" single, before releasing their second album, On an On, in July 2012. The band's bassist, Joel Magill, stated that the band released the album themselves "because it’s the only way we know. It may have been harder and longer for us but it has given us more satisfaction, I think. But if a major label waved a lot of money at us and said you could work with anyone you wanted we would have to think about that".{{cite web|url=http://www.streetnortheast.com/news/the-willowman-festival/ |title=Welcome streetnortheast.com - Justhost.com |publisher=Streetnortheast.com |date= |accessdate=2016-01-20}} The band undertook their first nationwide tour to promote the album in February 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.prescriptionmusicpruk.com/press-releases/tag/syd-arthur|title=NEW DOUBLE A SIDE SINGLE FROM SYD ARTHUR |access-date=3 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006151119/http://www.prescriptionmusicpruk.com/press-releases/tag/syd-arthur |archive-date=6 October 2014 }} The band supported Paul Weller on tour in October 2013,{{cite web|url=http://www.paulweller.com/news.php?item=609|title=WELLER ANNOUNCES OCTOBER UK TOUR |access-date=3 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024035428/http://paulweller.com/news.php?item=609 |archive-date=24 October 2013 }} invited the band to record in his studio{{cite web|last=Humphries |first=Stephen |url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/syd_arthur_conjures_musical_canterbury_tales_on_its_new_album/ |title=Syd Arthur Conjures Musical Canterbury Tales on its New Album | Under the Radar - Music Magazine |publisher=Undertheradarmag.com |date= |accessdate=2016-01-20}} and tipped the band for success in 2014 in the NME.{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/various-artists/15358 |title=NME Reviews - Syd Arthur - 'Sound Mirror' |publisher=Nme.Com |date= 30 May 2014|accessdate=2016-01-20}}

In December 2013, the band signed to the newly re-activated Harvest Records label. Originally a subsidiary of EMI and linked to the progressive rock movement of the early 1970s in England, the label is now owned by Universal Music Group. The band's debut album was released in the US for the first time on the label.{{cite web|author=Nikola Savić on December 30, 2013 |url=http://www.prog-sphere.com/news/syd-arthur-sign-with-harvest-records-for-sophomore-album/ |title=SYD ARTHUR Sign With Harvest Records For Sophomore Album |publisher=Prog Sphere |date= 30 December 2013|accessdate=2016-01-20}}

The band released their third album, Sound Mirror, in June 2014.{{cite web|author=Current Release: Sound Mirror |url=http://www.apb-pr.co.uk/artists/syd-arthur |title=Syd Arthur |publisher=APB PR |date= |accessdate=2016-01-20}} The band spent much of the year in the US, performing at South by Southwest and Coachella and supporting the likes of Sean Lennon's band The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger{{cite web|url=http://sydarthur.co.uk/2014/04/the-ghost-of-a-sabre-tooth-tiger-support-tour-in-the-usa/ |title=Support tour with The Ghost Of A Sabre Tooth Tiger.|access-date=3 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006092958/http://sydarthur.co.uk/2014/04/the-ghost-of-a-sabre-tooth-tiger-support-tour-in-the-usa/ |archive-date=6 October 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://sydarthur.co.uk/2014/04/coachella/|title=Coachella |access-date=3 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919084938/http://sydarthur.co.uk/2014/04/coachella/ |archive-date=19 September 2014 }} and Yes.{{cite web |url=http://www.canterburytimes.co.uk/Canterbury-rockers-Syd-Arthur-play-Yes-tour/story-21270257-detail/story.html |title=Canterbury rockers Syd Arthur to play on Yes US tour |publisher=Canterbury Times |date=2014-06-20 |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122822/http://www.canterburytimes.co.uk/Canterbury-rockers-Syd-Arthur-play-Yes-tour/story-21270257-detail/story.html |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=dead }} The band promoted the album at home with nationwide tour in September–October 2014, after having postponed dates from earlier in the year.{{cite web|author=Bob Mulvey |url=http://theprogressiveaspect.net/blog/2014/07/02/syd-arthur-announce-uk-tour-dates/ |title=The Progressive Aspect – TPA | The Progressive Aspect is a site dedicated to progressive rock (and closely related genres) and includes latest Prog News, CD Reviews, Interviews, Concerts, UK Guide Guide, Festivals and more |publisher=Theprogressiveaspect.net |date=2014-07-02 |accessdate=2016-01-20}} The band are currently playing with the Magills' brother Josh filling in for Fred Rother,{{Cite web|url=http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/166855-syd-arthur-release-single-autograph-october-6th.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001224310/http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/166855-syd-arthur-release-single-autograph-october-6th.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 October 2014|title=Syd Arthur to release new single 'Autograph' on October 6th - #AltSounds|date=1 October 2014}} who has missed gigs in the past due to problems with tinnitus.{{cite web|url=http://soundsfromthespring.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/syd-arthur-in-lille.html |title=The Spring: Syd Arthur in Lille |publisher=Soundsfromthespring.blogspot.co.uk |date=2012-01-24 |accessdate=2016-01-20}}{{cite web|url=http://soundsfromthespring.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/syd-arthur-ode-to-summer-single-launch.html |title=The Spring: Syd Arthur "Ode To The Summer" single launch |website=Soundsfromthespring.blogspot.co.uk |date=2011-10-31 |accessdate=2016-11-21}}

On 10 June 2016, the band announced that their fourth studio album, Apricity, would be released on 21 October 2016 and also released the title track as the lead single. This is the first album to feature Josh Magill on drums, and confirms the departure of Fred Rother.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/sydarthur/videos/vb.8418688405/10153808521958406/?type=2&theater |title=Syd Arthur - We are very happy to announce into the world... |publisher=Facebook |date=2016-06-10 |accessdate=2016-11-21}} It was later confirmed that Rother left the band prior to recording the album due to "severe hearing difficulties", with singer Liam Magill adding that "it was a precarious moment, Fred leaving, but Josh sort of saved the day, in a way. The transition was slightly difficult because we’ve been a tight band, you know, us four members, for a long time. That was a big change".{{cite web|url=http://www.theregoesthefear.com/2016/09/interview-liam-magill-of-syd-arthur-part-2.php |title=Interview: Liam Magill of Syd Arthur (Part 2) |website=Theregoesthefear.com |date=2016-09-15 |accessdate=2016-11-21}}

On 8 March 2019, an archive recording from 2012 of Canterbury jazz group Jack Hues and the Quartet (whose namesake is of Wang Chung fame) featuring members of Syd Arthur as part of his backing band was released. The recording was of a cover version of the Beck song "Nobody's Fault but My Own".{{Cite web|url=https://frakathustra.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/interview-with-jack-hues-from-wang-chung-and-the-quartet/|title=Interview with Jack Hues from Wang Chung and The Quartet|last=|first=|date=9 April 2012|website=Also Sprach FraKathustra|access-date=5 April 2019}}