College friends Joe "Connor" Conaboy and Josh Zaré established the group in 2012. After discovering performance videos by Matt Cahill, Jay Scott, and JJ Thompson on YouTube, the pair recruited all three musicians. The expanded lineup then relocated to East London, where they initially called themselves Kingsland in reference to their street address. During 2013 the five members entered the tenth series of the U.K. X-Factor, advancing from their audition performances of “Don’t You Worry Child,” “Treasure,” and “For Once in My Life” to reach the judges’ houses stage. Mentor Gary Barlow subsequently guided them into the finals. Ahead of the live shows the band altered its name to Kingsland Road after learning that a Canadian act already used the original moniker. The group progressed as far as week four before elimination by fellow contestant Tamera Foster. Returning to East London, the members began recording their debut single in collaboration with songwriters and producers Cam Blackwood and Ollie Green, a process that redirected their sound toward rock-infused pop. The resulting track “Dirty Dancer” was slated for release in August 2014.
