Slow Club
| Company type | Musical duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Charles Watson, Rebecca Lucy Taylor |
| Defunct | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Sheffield , England |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Slow Club was a musical duo from Sheffield, England, established in 2006 and composed of multi-instrumentalists Charles Watson and Rebecca Lucy Taylor. Watson mainly played piano, while Taylor handled drums; both shared duties on guitar and vocals. The partnership ended in 2017 following an extensive tour promoting their final album, after which each artist embarked on solo ventures.
History
The inception of Slow Club occurred in 2006, following the dissolution of the indie-rock group The Lonely Hearts.
In 2007, the duo released two 7" singles titled "Because We're Dead" and "Me and You" through Moshi Moshi Records. Their debut EP, Let's Fall Back in Love, was issued in September 2008, accompanied by a festive single named "Christmas TV".
Their first full-length album, Yeah So, was recorded at Axis Studio in Sheffield and launched in July 2009. Later that year, in December, they released the EP Christmas, Thanks For Nothing.
The sophomore album, Paradise, produced by Luke Smith (of Clor), came out on 12 September 2011. Its last single, "Beginners," featured a music video starring actor Daniel Radcliffe.
Slow Club extensively toured across the UK, Europe, the United States, Australia, and Japan. Their festival appearances included prominent events such as Glastonbury, Latitude, and Green Man. They also supported artists like KT Tunstall, Florence and the Machine, and Mumford and Sons, often performing live alongside musicians including Sweet Baboo.
In early 2013, they collaborated with producer Colin Elliot to record their third studio album, Complete Surrender, released on 14 July 2014. Touring line-ups during this period featured drummer Avvon Chambers and bassist Rob Jones.
Their fourth studio effort, One Day All of This Won't Matter Anymore, was recorded in Richmond, Virginia, and issued in 2016.
Following tours that extended into early 2017, Slow Club disbanded. Taylor later revealed feelings of dissatisfaction with the partnership prior to their separation. The group's final tour was captured in the documentary film Our Most Brilliant Friends.
By July 2023, Charles Watson had launched three solo albums: Now That I'm A River (2018), Yes (2022), and Yup (2023). Meanwhile, Rebecca Lucy Taylor has released three albums under her stage name Self Esteem: Compliments Please, Prioritise Pleasure, and A Complicated Woman.
Critical reception
Slow Club was met with favorable reviews from critics. The Metro praised their "endearing dual harmonies, unpolished pop tunes, and sharply insightful lyrics," capturing the essence of the pair's unique musical identity. Robin Murray of Clash commended Charles Watson and Rebecca Lucy Taylor for crafting an original body of work consisting of "four albums filled with joyous, emotionally resonant, and often overlooked songwriting."
Albums
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Yeah So
|
| 2011 | Paradise
|
| 2014 | Complete Surrender
|
| 2015 | I Swam Out to Greet You
|
| 2016 | One Day All of This Won't Matter Anymore
|
EPs
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Let's Fall Back in Love
|
| 2009 | Christmas, Thanks for Nothing
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Because We're Dead" | |
| "Me and You" | ||
| 2008 | "Christmas TV" | Christmas, Thanks for Nothing |
| 2009 | "It Doesn't Have to Be Beautiful" | Yeah So |
| "Trophy Room" | ||
| 2010 | "Giving Up on Love" | |
| 2011 | "Two Cousins" | Paradise |
| "Where I'm Waking" | ||
| "If We're Still Alive" | ||
| 2012 | "The Dog" | |
| "Beginners" | ||
| 2014 | "Complete Surrender" | Complete Surrender |
| "Suffering You, Suffering Me" | ||
| "Everything Is New" | ||
| 2016 | "In Waves" | One Day All of This Won't Matter Anymore |
| "Ancient Rolling Sea" |