ONLY BOYS ALOUD TO RELEASE THEIR EPONYMOUS DEBUT ALBUM ON NOVEMBER 19 ON RELENTLESS / SONY MUSIC
Only Boys Aloud, the world’s biggest boy band, will release their eponymous debut album on November 19, on Relentless / Sony Records. The 141 strong choir from the Welsh Valleys are best known for achieving huge success on ITV1’s hit show Britain’s Got Talent, coming third in the final this year.
OBA performed on ITV1’s prime time show Red Or Black on Saturday; the album immediately went to number 1 in the Amazon Movers and Shakers chart after a massive jump of 5,270% following the show. Take a look at their performance here – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM_Qet4vTKw.
In recent years, unemployment and the collapse of the mining industry had a huge impact on Welsh communities, causing a breakdown in the village communities which used to thrive. Musical Director and Founder for OBA Tim Rhys-Evans believes there’s a real chance to re-build communities and rebuild a sense of pride, through music. So, two years ago Tim founded OBA with the aim to instil a sense of belief and inclusion in youngsters from the Valley’s.
The choir, made up of 141 young men aged 14 – 19, are now “living the dream” says choir member Tom Miles. With the imminent release of their debut album, Dan Urch of OBA said, “We’re all one big group of friends and when we’re together making music, magic happens”. Josh Escott of the group also said, “I just really want to do my family proud”.
OBA also aims to re-invigorate the Welsh male choral tradition, embracing choral singing as a means for these young men to broaden their horizons and grow in ability and self–confidence in a supportive environment. Tim Rhys Evans said: “All of these lads will feel like they’ve been part of something really special, that they’re worth something. They can take that confidence forward to the rest of their lives – whether they’re going to be a doctor, bricklayer or even a professional musician. Setting up the choir is one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life”.
The album sees the choir marry traditional Welsh songs with an impressive selection of choral versions of more contemporary tracks, including stirring takes on Coldplay’s classic track ‘Paradise’ and Take That’s ‘Never Forget’. A special Christmas edition of the album will also include 6 beautifully arranged versions of traditional festive numbers, including ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Pie Jesu’.
‘Calon Lan’ – the number that won the choir a place in the Britain’s Got Talent final – also features on the album. See Only Boys Aloud perform the track at the BGT 2012 final here – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C06NhCkAjXk.
Only Boys Aloud will team up with Only Men Aloud this Christmas to bring two special seasonal shows to Venue Cymru in Llandudno on December 22 and the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on December 24. Tickets are on sale now from www.orchardentertainment.co.uk / www.venuecymru.co.uk 01492 872000 / www.wmc.org.uk 02920 636464.
www.onlyboysaloud.com