With their debut single ‘You Got Love’ released in late September now approaching half a million streams on Spotify, Upstairs Open are set to release their second single, ‘Chicago’, on Friday the 13th of April through Believe. Unmanaged and unsigned, their debut single was picked up by online tastemakers including Record of The Day, The Line of Best Fit, Indie Shuffle and CLASH Magazine, and featured on a diverse range of Spotify playlists from Indie Pop to Easy. Listen here – https://soundcloud.com/upstairsopen/chicago/.

‘Chicago’ was the first song Upstairs Open wrote together after meeting up in Daniel’s South London flat for weekly sessions, revelling in the organic, restraint-free nature of working sans external pressures. Born from a mutual love of contrasts, ‘Chicago’ encapsulates their own signature sound, which Indie Shuffle describes as having, ‘an ethereal quality… with the melding of organic and electronic instruments contrasting the duo’s gorgeous harmonies.’ ‘Chicago’ is haunting and moody, and centres on loss and longing, where “although two people are together, they can see what they have very differently, and it’s about coming to terms with that”. As one of the busiest airports in the world, and an international gateway to much of the American mid-west, the track takes inspiration from the ideas of crossing lands, and the struggles that arise from physical and emotional distance.

Courtney and Daniel (Upstairs Open) met through a mutual friend, musical director Sam Kennedy (Foxes, Bastille) during a studio session. Courtney then went off to Edinburgh for university and Daniel began forging his own sound; and although their initial session had ended, it was the seeds of a beginning. Years passed and although their paths diverged, the pair found themselves back in London at the same time and caught up over a pint; it’s here that the tipsy blueprints for Upstairs Open took shape. The dedication from the pair is unparalleled, and it’s their own burning desire that’s seen the project become a reality.

Upstairs Open will be performing at FRUKTS’ ‘The Fix’ night at The Social, Little Portland St on May 1st – Free entry – more information here – https://www.facebook.com/events/1986666681598762/

Press for debut track ‘You Got Love’:

The Line of Best Fit – ‘infectious debut single … duelling male/female vocals, slippery basslines, and bright bursts of melody… subtly addictive.’

Blah Blah Blah Science – ‘Buoyed by magnetic set of melodies and a cinematic in style arrangement and rhythmic churn… “You Got Love” introduces Upstairs Open as very talented arbiters of alternative pop’

Vinyl Me Please – ‘an eerily infectious mix of southern rock and trip hop’

The Most Radicalist – ‘cool 60’s-folk-meets-modern-pop … a stunning debut’