Whilst dispersing highly flammable hydrocarbon gases into the atmosphere is not advisory, Butane Skies is a name increasingly exploding on local circuits. The young and aspiring Frome “a little bit emo, a little bit not” four-piece released a debut single Wither last month (while I was on my jollies.) So, even though this mention of it might be belated, it’s worthy of your attention, as I predict Butane Skies is a name you’ll be hearing a lot more of…..
If the name suggests an all-out fireball of frenzied rock you should note it’s taken from a line in the My Chemical Romance song Skylines & Turnstiles, and akin to their emo influence there’s delicate rising and falling sections of emotive outpouring in Wither. With a dystopian themed desperation, perhaps metaphoric, this is intense yet melodic, as exquisitely composed as Evanescence, and as genius as Frank Turner.
There’s an intricate piano, blessing it with a sense of optimism above the emo melancholy of the subtly placed fuzzbox riff and the powerful vox harmonies of a double-Alanis Morissette. I’m thinking I’ve not heard local emo quite as good as this since Life in Mono, but not to typecast within the emo pigeonhole, there’s something more universally indie about them too, Muse-fashion.
Such high accolades deserved, Wither firmly places them on the first runner of the local recording artist ladder, and while an impressive kick start, it’s moreish and patent they’ve more tricks up their sleeves. Butane Skies established themselves in 2022 after school duo Amaya and Ash collaborated at just 14 years old, and bassist Mia and drummer Alex joined. They’ve notched numerous gigs and festivals since Future Sound of Trowbridge at the Pump, and winning Riverbank’s Take The Stage in 2024 with the prize to perform at Minety Music Festival.
Other appearances at Festival on the Farm, Figglefest, Bradford Roots, Corrfest, Chippenham Pride and Sounds at the Ground, and at venues such as The Boathouse, The Neeld, Frome’s Tree House and a number of local stages at Glastonbury sees them Bristol-bound for The Louisiana and Komedia Bath’s Electric Bar soon. They are nominated for our Wiltshire Music Awards, and now top of never-ending must-see list!
Here’s a band with a track you must listen to, but the ambience feels something wonderful is blossoming; Butane Skies are yet to hit their magnum-opus, be there when they do.
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