Skinny Living share the official video for their new single ‘No Messiah,’ out now on Polydor Records. Directed by Charlotte Regan, the moving clip is the perfect accompaniment to the soaring track, a powerful ode to finding strength in adversity written in tribute to frontman Ryan Johnston’s younger sister. ‘No Messiah’ is the lead track from the Wakefield trio’s 4-track EP of the same name, released alongside the recent announcement of their 2020 headline shows at London Heaven and Leeds Stylus, their biggest to date.
Speaking about the video, Ryan commented: “No Messiah is a song written from the perspective of someone frustrated with a loved one’s ability to see their own strength. It reaches out to remind them the power they have to make a change. It was clear that Charlotte was the perfect director to bring across authentic real life stories in a way that both suits the song and the band that we are.”
The band have amassed a diehard fanbase through their stirring blend of soulful anthems. They have played over 250 shows in the past two years, graduating from busking sessions on the streets to a huge support slot at Leeds’ Elland Road Stadium with Kaiser Chiefs, with performances in fans’ living rooms, churches, festivals, pubs and clubs along the way. Their music is making a connection with fans and Johnston thinks that is the highest compliment you can get. “There’s a lot of music that, when I felt like nobody understood who I was, or I didn’t have anybody to lean on, the songs gave me what I needed. To see that happening with our music for people is amazing.”
Ryan, Will Booth (guitar) and Danny Hepworth (guitar) met at an open mic night and soon began collaborating, realising there was a natural chemistry between them. Ryan says they write music that taps into the everyday emotions of life, songs about ‘family, people, life, struggle’. Family is often at the centre of Skinny Living’s music, one reason, perhaps, why their songs have evoked such an emotional connection with fans. They have sold over 2000 tickets for shows in Yorkshire alone this year. After playing bigger and bigger shows on a run of successful European and UK shows, the group put on an intimate show at London’s Dublin Castle for a select group of fans, recorded for a special live album. Tickets for the show sold out in 30 minutes. After supporting Kaiser Chiefs earlier this year, they will again join them on a UK arena tour in 2020 before their own headline dates in April.
Skinny Living 2020 tour dates:
23/04/2020 - London - Heaven
25/04/2020 - Leeds – Leeds Stylus