Images by Zack Langsdon
Things are hotting up for Plymouth band Haunt the Woods after gaining a manager in Sam Mumford, who was the A&R (artists and repertoire) manager at RCA Records for two years most recently A&R manager for Imagem music who publish pink Floyd, Mark Ronson and Daft Punk.
The guys - Jonathan Stafford on lead vocals and guitar, Phoenix Elleschild on lead guitar, Olly Bignell on percussion and Alex Skinner on bass guitar - couldn't believe their luck when Sam got in touch to say he going to come and manage the boys.
Jonathan, frontman, says: "We have always worked really hard as a band and do about 50 gigs a year, but Sam coming on-board has really changed things for us.
"We met him through a friend when we played at his mum's birthday party. One of Sam's friends was there and brought a CD, he gave it to Sam and he got in touch. He told us he was waiting for the right band to come along and we were that - we're over the moon about that."
The four-piece average 21 years of age and but that in no way means they don't know what they're doing - in fact they are selling out gigs and will play the main stage at Boardmasters in August.
"Boardmasters will definitely be the biggest gig we have done to date. Last year we played on the Keg and Pasty stage and this year we are doing the main stage. To do that in just one year is mental!" Jonathan says.
The boys are yet to release an album but admit they are waiting for the right time and think this first release will be a piece of music that everyone wants their hands on.
Jonathan says: "The idea is to put on some shows where we invite record labels and booking agents and get some exposure. Then from there we want to sign a record deal pretty much straight away."
"We're lucky that if we say to Sam we want to support whoever then he can sort that for us. He knows everyone and that's why it's so useful. He's not some guy telling us all what to do. We would not be doing what we are doing without him."
Already the guys have supported Dry The River and Sunset Sons - a dream come true for dedicated fan Jonathan.
He says: "It was a huge honour to play with bands that I respect and it was great to sit down with them for an hour and learn."
Haunt the Woods channel aspects of Mumford & Sons - powerful lyrics and pure professionalism when it comes to performing.
Jonathan explains: "Everything we do musically comes from our own emotions. I write all the songs and they are usually all about my life. We have that commercial aspect to the band already and I feel we don't need to develop that."
Although the band have only been performing together for a year, having Sam on-board and working super hard is paying off.
"It's gone a bit mental. It's amazing but I never expected to be doing the things we are so quickly," says Jonathon, "We have done the whole session thing with BBC Introducing Devon but the next big thing for us is to get played on national radio, Radio 1 or XFM. But we never want to come too far away from the local stuff, at the end of the day we are a Plymouth band."
The band are currently preparing for their single shows and trying to get as tight musically as they can. You need to be quick if you want to see them live because tickets get snapped up within days. Fear not though as you can catch them at the Saltash Regatta this weekend.
"We don't want to be overly accessible and are only playing the odd gigs in Plymouth. If you want to see us then you need to seek tickets out. We want to put on bigger shows but less frequently," Jonathan admits.
Where and when: Saltash Regatta, Saturday 27 June, Livewire Acoustic Showcase between 3.30 and 6.20pm, also featuring Plymouth's Alice Gullick
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