Maybeshewill
| Company type | Independent record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | John Helps |
| Headquarters | Leicester , England |
| Products | Music releases, booking and management services, event organization |
Maybeshewill is a post-rock ensemble originating from Leicester, England, recognized for integrating programmed electronic sounds with traditional instruments such as guitars, bass, keyboards, and drums.
History
The band was established in 2005 by guitarists Robin Southby and John Helps during their studies in music technology at De Montfort University. Their initial EP, Japanese Spy Transcript, was independently released in 2006 under their own label, Robot Needs Home. This release garnered attention from Nottingham-based Field Records, which issued "The Paris Hilton Sex Tape" as part of a split single. Additionally, a remastered edition was distributed in Japan through XTAL Records. Soon afterwards, the group temporarily disbanded.
In 2007, Southby and Helps reassembled the lineup with drummer James Collins and bassist Andrew Jackson, leading to the release of their debut full-length album Not for Want of Trying in 2008 via Field Records. The album was selected as album of the week by BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens. Their sophomore effort, Sing the Word Hope in Four-Part Harmony (2009), introduced Victoria Sztuka on bass, replacing Jackson, and showcased a heavier sound that sought to transcend conventional post-rock boundaries. While it received favorable critiques, some reviewers noted a lack of significant stylistic evolution.
Following a short period performing as a trio again, Jamie Ward joined the band in 2009 as bassist and producer for their third record. In 2011, keyboardist Matthew Daly was added for live performances, expanding the group to five members. That year saw the release of I Was Here for a Moment, Then I Was Gone, their most refined album to date, recorded in professional studios and featuring live string and brass arrangements. The album achieved critical praise and extensive radio exposure.
In 2014, Maybeshewill signed with the German label Superball Music and released their fourth studio album Fair Youth. They embarked on extensive tours across the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia alongside bands such as And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Lite, and And So I Watch You From Afar, performing at prominent festivals including The Great Escape and ArcTanGent.
The group announced their breakup in September 2015 after completing a farewell tour. They briefly reunited for a single performance in June 2018 at London’s Southbank Centre during Robert Smith's Meltdown Festival. In January 2020, Maybeshewill reformed and began developing new material despite the cancellation of their planned appearance at ArcTanGent Festival. Their fifth studio album, No Feeling Is Final, was released in November 2021.
On 10 September 2025, the band requested that their music be removed from Spotify due to ethical objections concerning CEO Daniel Ek’s financial ties to military artificial intelligence and drone warfare technologies.
Robot Needs Home
Robot Needs Home is the label through which Maybeshewill manage their business operations; it was founded by guitarist John Helps. The label aims to foster a community by supporting artists who share similar values and promoting collaborative efforts. Alongside releasing early Maybeshewill material like Japanese Spy Transcript, Robot Needs Home offers booking and management services and organizes events around Leicester, including the White Noise Festival curated by Maybeshewill themselves.
Musical style
Maybeshewill’s music has been characterized as instrumental rock blended with electronic elements, combining synthesized programming with conventional rock instruments. Their sound has drawn comparisons to acts such as Mogwai, Sigur Rós, and 65daysofstatic. Frequently, their tracks feature audio samples sourced from films and broadcasts—for instance, clips from Network and journalist Edward R. Murrow are incorporated into their albums—enhancing the layered texture of their electronic-tinged post-rock compositions.
Members
- Current lineup
- James Collins – drums
- Matthew Daly – keyboards
- John Helps – guitar
- Robin Southby – guitar
- Jamie Ward – bass
- Past members
- Victoria Sztuka – bass
- Andrew Jackson – bass
- Lawrie Malen – drums
- Tanya Byrne – bass
Discography
- Studio albums
- Not for Want of Trying (2008)
- Sing the Word Hope in Four-Part Harmony (2009)
- I Was Here For a Moment, Then I Was Gone (2011)
- Fair Youth (2014)
- No Feeling Is Final (2021)
- Extended plays
- Japanese Spy Transcript (XTAL JP) (August 2006)
- Singles and limited releases
- Ann Arbor / Maybeshewill split 7-inch (Field Records) (July 2006)
- "Seraphim & Cherubim"/"Heartflusters" CD-R (Robot Needs Home) (September 2007)
- Anti-Semantics: The Remixes Vol. 1 CD-R (Robot Needs Home) (May 2008)
- Amateur Grammatics: The Remixes Vol. 2 CD-R (Robot Needs Home) (October 2008)
- Maybeshewill / Her Name is Calla split 12-inch (Field Records) (November 2008)
- The Remixes 2005–2010 CD-R (Robot Needs Home) (April 2010)
- "To The Skies From A Hillside" 7-inch (Field Records) (October 2010)
- "Critical Distance" 7-inch (Function Records) (March 2011)
- "Red Paper Lanterns" 7-inch (Function Records) (March 2012)
- Compilation appearances
- Kill All Humans CD-R (Robot Needs Home) (September 2007)
- Notes 1 Mini CD-R Art Compilation (Unknown) (2009)
- Tellison – Contact! Contact! Remixed Remix Compilation (Drums Don't Kill Records) (January 2009)
- White Noise One CD-R (Robot Needs Home) (May 2009)
- Truck 12 Compilation (June 2009)
- Not for Want of Trying +4 (Field Records UK & EU) (October 2009)
- White Noise Two CD-R (Robot Needs Home) (December 2009)
- Off The Cuff Compilation (Big Scary Monsters) (August 2010)
- Exports01 Compilation (Robot Needs Home) (June 2011)