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Some bands come together in the studio, others through years of friendship—but Rylee? They sparked their origin story in a muddy festival field, half-joking about a name being shouted across the crowd.
That moment of randomness at Reading Festival 2023 led to something real: a four-piece indie rock band from Suffolk with a loud heart, sharp storytelling, and a no-nonsense approach to songwriting. Comprised of Lewis (vocals/ guitar), Fin (bass), Brooke (vocals), and Thomas (drums), Rylee might be fresh on the scene, but their sound is already echoing far beyond the campsites they came from.
Backstage Chemistry and Unlikely Beginnings
You couldn’t script a better origin story. Lewis and Fin reconnected after high school jam sessions, Brooke was a festival meet-cute, and Thomas? He made the cut after a drunken kiss with Brooke (strictly platonic now, they clarify with a laugh). Their name—Rylee—was a spontaneous tribute to a mystery chant that filled their festival nights. It's this raw, impulsive spirit that still defines them today. What started as banter has turned into something serious, with a debut single and a packed London gig already under their belts.
Grit, Emotion, and Sound that Hits
Musically, Rylee rides a wave of gritty guitar lines, emotional honesty, and unfiltered storytelling. Think the brooding poetry of Radiohead and Fontaines D.C. colliding with the loud urgency of Wunderhorse and Nirvana. “We’re not here to sugarcoat anything,” Lewis explains. Their songs dig into the messy stuff—paranoia, escapism, dissatisfaction—with a sound that oscillates between chaos and calm. Their first track, “Backroads,” flips between the voice of a murder victim and their killer, pulling listeners into a fictional tale that somehow feels painfully real.
DIY Ethos Meets Studio Precision
Despite only forming in 2023, Rylee has already hit milestones that many bands chase for years. Recording at Drill Hall Studios with Alexander Banks marked a huge leap: “Just hearing ourselves mixed professionally was surreal,” they say. But even before the mics were on, they’d mapped out the visual concept for “Backroads.” For Rylee, the art doesn’t stop at sound—imagery, mood, and meaning are all part of the same conversation. It’s a holistic approach rooted in intuition and passion, not industry playbooks.
Playing Live and Building Community
If you ask the band what matters most, they’ll say it’s the live energy. Their gig at The Beehive—where fans chanted for an encore—felt like validation. The crowd didn’t just listen, they felt it, singing along to lyrics they were only just hearing for the first time. Their surprise cover of Fontaines D.C.’s “Boys in the Better Land” only lit the fuse. And it’s not just about the music—they’ve used their platform for good, performing at charity gigs supporting Cancer Research UK and The Samaritans.
Conclusion: No Sheep, No Filters, Just Rylee
In a world full of polished personas and curated content, Rylee stands out for keeping it real. They don’t want followers—they want free thinkers. Their message to fans is simple: “Don’t be a sheep. Don’t do what everyone else is doing if it’s not what you want.” With just one track out, they’re already pushing boundaries and embracing the messiness of being young, emotional, and loud. Their next move? Only they know. But one thing’s clear: you won’t find them on the main road. You’ll find them on the Backroads.
