Upstairs Open release their new single ‘Silence’ on August 30th through Believe. The track showcases the duo’s first work with Matt Allchin (writer, George Ezra & Florence and the Machine), and the result is an upbeat, energetic track just in time for late summer. Although buoyant, the track is still rooted in their mutual love of contrasts, fusing dynamic melodies alongside gritty, melancholic lyrics. Indie Shuffle describes the duo as having, “an ethereal quality… with the melding of organic and electronic instruments contrasting the duo’s gorgeous harmonies.”

Speaking about the track Upstairs Open explain; “‘Silence’ is about all of the things that you don’t say, when you know something is happening but can’t bring yourself to get out. We wanted to make it sound the opposite of this though, a kind of celebration, martyrdom.”

‘Silence’ is the third release from the London based duo Upstairs Open (Courtney Paynter and Daniel James). It follows on from their debut single ‘You Got Love’ which was released in late September last year and has racked up half a million streams on Spotify, and second single ‘Chicago’ which was released in Spring. Support comes by way of online tastemakers including Record of The Day, The Line of Best Fit, Indie Shuffle and CLASH Magazine to name a few, and they’ve featured on a diverse range of Spotify playlists from Indie Pop to Easy.

Courtney and Daniel 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.

Praise for Upstairs Open:

The Line of Best Fit – ‘magical… superb second offering… Dense, dub-dashed drops and screeching synthwork clashes with country-western harmonies and six-stringer licks’ (Chicago)

Press Play OK – ‘Upstairs Open give us the boy-girl back-and-forth of our dreams on Chicago’

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

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’ (You Got Love)

The Most Radicalist – ‘cool 60’s-folk-meets-modern-pop … a stunning debut’ (You Got Love)