To Kill A King

Originating from Leeds but now based in London, the indie pop group To Kill a King assembled in 2009 around the abilities of Ralph Pelleymounter, Ian Dudfield, Josh Platman, John Willoughby, and Ben Jackson. Influenced by the rural folk approach of Mumford & Sons and Laura Marling alongside the orchestral arena rock tendencies of Frightened Rabbit and the National, the ensemble secured an agreement with Communion and issued its debut single Fictional State in May 2011, with the EP My Crooked Saint arriving six months afterward. Persistent live work throughout the U.K. and opening slots for the Flaming Lips and Bastille preceded the band's independent release of its first album Cannibals with Cutlery in 2013, which followed the end of its Communion association. In August 2013 the group entered a fresh arrangement with Xtra Mile Recordings, prompting a reissue of the debut album that added four new tracks. To Kill a King sustained a demanding tour schedule, yet founding members Ian Dudfield and John Willoughby departed at the close of 2013 and were succeeded by Grant McNeill and Joshua Taffel.