Music Spotlight: Sink or Swim rise to the top

May 9 2012 by Simon Halewood, Crewe Chronicle

WITH Crewe Live 2012 right around the corner, the local scene is abuzz as over 100 local bands and artists play their part in the town’s biggest-ever music festival.

While plenty of attention always falls on headliners like Ash, Hadouken! and Pulled Apart By Horses, the event has always been centred on providing a showcase for the area’s budding talent.

Quite often it’s the hidden gems and unexpected performances in the smaller venues that can steal the show.

Having made quite an impression on the scene over the past few months, Sink or Swim will certainly be looking to do just that.

Warming up with a support slot on the pre-festival gig at The Box on May 25, the young five-piece indie-rockers are gearing up for their first taste of Crewe Live at the Duke of Bridgewater on Sunday, June 3.

And it’s the perfect event for frontman Oli Ng – always there to support follow local bands like The Retrospective or Kill The Doctor or providing technical assistance at various gigs.

“I just like to get to know everyone involved in live music in the area,” he explained.

“It’s always good to play with different bands and it’s great to support local music in your area, isn’t it?

“I think there’s a lot of potential coming through and there seems to be a lot more bands around now than ever before.”

Ng has also struck up a strong relationship with one of the leading bands of the current generation in Maps of Columbus who themselves tore up a 2011 festival highlight in the Brunswick.

“Jonny out of the band had done some supply teaching at my school and when I bumped into him at a Box gig, he asked me to play live on one of their tracks which was amazing,” added Ng.

“I’ve done that a couple of times now and they are such a great band.”

Joined by Jordan Cope (lead guitar), Lewis Cooper (bass), Emma Byron (vocals) and new recruit Arran Walford (drums), the band have already turned heads with their energetic stage performance and quality musicianship.

Having already supported Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly and Futures, Sink Or Swim have set their sights on a busy few months ahead.

“We’re really looking forward to the festival and our next gig at The Box,” continued Ng.

“We’ve got a busy summer, we’re going to support Get Cape again and we’ve booked a few more shows in.

“It’s all about getting our name out there at the moment and showing what we can do.”