Chapel Club

The summer of 2008 marked the formation of Chapel Club in London, a project initially shaped by echoes of the Manchester scene and the Smiths in particular. Guitarist Michael Hibbert brought together drummer Rich Mitchell, vocalist Lewis Bowman, and his childhood friends Liam Arklie on bass and Alex Parry on guitar. After extended deliberation the group settled on the name Chapel Club, drawn from St. Luke’s Church, the venue where they rehearsed. Early live appearances quickly stirred interest throughout England, paving the way for the late-2009 release of debut single “Surfacing.” A second single, “O Maybe I,” followed on East City Recordings in February 2010. While maintaining a steady touring schedule that year, the band tracked its atmospheric first album, Palace, which surfaced in early 2011. Fresh material introduced onstage soon signaled a decisive turn toward synth-driven electronic pop. The January 2013 arrival of “Good Together” on Ignition Records gave the first clear indication of this direction, preceding the album of the same name issued that summer. Samples, distorted synths, and forward-thinking production choices defined Good Together, framing Bowman’s playful and introspective lyrics throughout the record.