Saloon (band)
| Company type | Indie band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 in Reading, England |
| Defunct | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Reading , England |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Saloon was an indie band originating from Reading, England, formed in 1997 and active until their breakup in 2004. The lineup featured Adam Cresswell on bass and synthesizers, Michael Smoughton on drums, Alison Cotton playing viola, Amanda Gomez as lead vocalist, and Matt Ashton handling guitars. Their initial performance took place at The Fox and Hounds in Caversham. In 1999, the group gained exposure through DJ John Peel, who showcased them on his radio program; they went on to record three Peel sessions broadcast in 2001, 2002, and 2003.
Career
Saloon issued singles via several independent record labels, such as Amberley Records with "Shopping," Bearos Records releasing "Electron," Fortuna Pop for "Snow," and Glamour Puss issuing "Impact," which was a split release with Sonic Catering Band. Subsequently, they collaborated with Darla Records for their US distribution and Track and Field Organisation in the UK, putting out singles including "Free Fall," "Have You Seen The Light" (a split with Dressy Bessy), and "Girls Are The New Boys."
While actively performing and releasing singles, the band dedicated eighteen months to producing their debut album, (This Is) What We Call Progress. Amanda Gomez engineered the album at Reading College School of Art and Design, while Andrew Prinz of Mahogany mixed it in New York and also created the album artwork. Released in April 2002, the album was met with generally positive critiques from outlets such as the Sunday Times and Pitchfork, which rated it 7.4.
Following their initial album launch, Saloon swiftly proceeded to develop their sophomore record. Between these releases, they experienced unexpected acclaim when "Girls Are The New Boys" secured the top spot in Peel's annual Festive 50. Over 2001–2002, four of their releases charted in this countdown. Despite this achievement, some critics accused the band of manipulating votes; a fanzine even circulated an alternative Festive 48 list excluding their tracks. Nonetheless, Saloon recorded a third Peel Session, underscoring Peel's continued support for their credibility. In a 2006 interview, Cresswell looked back on the earlier chart success without any associated controversy.
Their second album, If We Meet in the Future, was self-produced and released in June 2003 to favorable reviews including an 8 out of 10 score from NME and a 7 out of 10 rating from Pitchfork.
Split and subsequent years
After completing touring obligations following their second album's release, Saloon effectively dissolved. In May 2004, Smoughton, Ashton, and Cotton left the group; then on 30 October 2004, Gomez and Cresswell publicly declared the band's official breakup.
A compilation featuring early singles titled Lo-Fi Sounds, Hi-Fi Heart appeared in 2006. Additionally, Gomez and Cresswell produced the 2004 album Let's Get Static by The Projects—a band signed to Track and Field—with Gomez briefly contributing keyboard parts.
By the early 2010s, Ashton, Cotton, and Cresswell remained active musically through projects such as The Leaf Library, The Left Outsides, and Arthur and Martha respectively. Tragically, in November 2010 Mike Smoughton and his wife Sara lost their lives in a car accident while in Canada.