by Matt Dyson Reading born James Ewers met Manchester bred drummer Sam Stopford at Kingston University in 2004. Both knew what they liked but both were trying to study music with the lofty appreciation of a philosopher doing algorisms for love. Fortunately James had his head cymbal crashed into enlightenment when he heard Sam's drum solo kick the face off any appreciation for the stuffy classical establishment. Together with twins Saul and Dylan Perryman (who James had met at Reading College of Art) they formed their band. ...show more

by Matt Dyson Reading born James Ewers met Manchester bred drummer Sam Stopford at Kingston University in 2004. Both knew what they liked but both were trying to study music with the lofty appreciation of a philosopher doing algorisms for love. Fortunately James had his head cymbal crashed into enlightenment when he heard Sam's drum solo kick the face off any appreciation for the stuffy classical establishment. Together with twins Saul and Dylan Perryman (who James had met at Reading College of Art) they formed their band.

They wanted a name to steady them like a ten ton anchor for the adventure yet they knew they would never be just another 'The' band. My Luminaries was chosen as their moniker. Releases were quick to follow, including an EP, a live album, and two singles; Jumping the Great White and The Outsider Steps Inside on Grönland Records, home to James and Sam's favourite krautrockers Neu!. Jumping the Great White had Steve Lamacq paddling out across the airwaves with a promotional harpoon, making it Record of The Week.

Elsewhere, The Outsider Steps Inside caused musical hunger pains, voted one of the songs of 2007 on scores of taste-maker websites. The band spent 2008 writing what could very well have been their second or third album, along with new addition Simon Jones. They played one show that year, at Reading's South St Arts Centre. Rather than being skewered on upturned noses, the local crowd treat them like returned kings. ...show less