Occasional Orchestra

Radio Promotion

“Solid, attractive, catchy tunes, intelligent “road less travelled” lyrics and thunderingly good musicianship.

Kevin Buxton of Kontra Roots Event Promotion

“The finest and most distinctive ‘Indie Pop Folk’ music available in the UK”

What’s On

British indie band The Occasional Orchestra release their debut single ‘Cowboys’ from their third album Urban Foxes. The album was produced at Vada Studios by Matt Terry (The Enemy, Don Broco, Busted, Ocean Colour Scene) and mastered by Jon Astley from Close to the Edge in London (The Who, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Abba, Jools Holland, Tom Jones etc.)

The Occasional Orchestra is an indie/folk six-piece band rooted in Thames Valley led by gifted singer-songwriter Darrell Mitchell. They have been together for nine years – a journey that has reaped numerous air plays and a live studio play on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire. They played around the UK and the band has supported well-known artists including The Blockheads, Republica, Echo and the Bunnymen and John Martin.

Receiving a five-star review in RandR Magazine they became known as “The Mumford and Sons you don’t want to punch”. The band’s vocal harmonies are a big part of their sound thanks to their wide musical influences such as The Beatles, Tallest Man on Earth, The Clash,  Bright Eyes, Stornoway and Aztec Camera.

Their new single Cowboys is inspired by lead singer’s Darrell Mitchell’s father who always dreamed about going to America but who was never able to go. It explores the perspective of the change in the views of America; gone are the days when it was held in awe as the land of plenty. The glamour of America is currently replaced with an element of contempt and Cowboys is a love song to the land his father held in his heart. Their black and white video features a young boy in cowboy attire and plays upon memories of childhood nostalgia, capturing the elements of freer, happier times. 

The Occasional Orchestra will be releasing more songs from Urban Foxes including ‘Loneliest Day of the Year’ a piece of country music which they themselves define as “a tongue in cheek Hank Williamseque drinking song”. Watch this space. They will be performing at the Pop Overthrow Festival in Liverpool in May.

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