UK Country sensations First Time Flyers released their new single ‘Jump’ on June 28th and announce a trio of live shows ‘Jump On Tour Part One’ for September of this year.
‘Jump’ was written by the band at their North London studio last year. “It’s about fearlessly jumping into love heart first” explains Poppy from the band, “knowing you’ll either fall in love, or fall alone but being prepared to risk it either way”. After all, it’s better to love than to never love at all.
The band unapologetically encourage people to love who they love and jump straight in with a full heart. The specifics of the song came from personal experience and band member Vicki opened up about her journey to finding love.
“I was in a heterosexual relationship for many years,” she says. “I was engaged but deeply unhappy. Eventually I was honest with my feelings and had the courage to end the relationship. I then met somebody else who is now my fiancé but at the time my family urged me not to jump straight back into a relationship. They were shocked that I felt so strongly but also shocked that my fiancé is a woman”. Vicki continues “She is the best thing that has ever happened to me and we are due to be married next year. Needless to say, I’m glad I ignored the advice.”
Taking inspiration from Vicki’s story the band have decided to release the song in June in honor of Pride month. First Time Flyers are proud to champion and represent the LGBTQIA+ community.
The video for the single was shot in a dusty barn in the grounds of the exclusive health resort Champneys. As Tim recalls “It had been raining the days prior to the shoot and to get to the barn we had to cross a muddy field. We got some strange looks from the guests at reception when we turned up to use the toilet caked in mud and dust!”
Vicki still teaches at musical theatre colleges and the cast of the video is made up of students past and present who have been taught the ‘Jump’ routine to accompany the song! Produced again by band member Tim Prottey-Jones who says, “Jump is 2 minutes and 10 seconds of pure energy drawing influences from songs like Dasha’s ‘Austin’ and even ‘Texas Hold Em’”. Guitarist and vocalist Jake adds “we weren’t really hearing UK Country acts adopting this sound so we thought let’s give it a go!”
As if a new single wasn’t enough the band have also announced Jump On Tour Part One. Happening in September 2024 the band are playing three shows. Tickets available here, dates below:
Sept 10th
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds 2
Sept 13th
London
The Lower Third
Sept 18th
Manchester
Deaf Institute Lodge
“We just love playing live and can’t wait to get back on the road” says Poppy, “hopefully people will have learnt the Jump dance routine by September so that will just add to the fun!”
First Time Flyers are Vicki Manser, Jake Morrell, Poppy Fardell & Tim Prottey-Jones. The band launched to rave reviews in 2023 and a successful first year followed including a sell-out tour, a bunch of festivals and a slot supporting Bruce Springsteen at BST Hyde Park.
In 2024 the band have already sold-out Nashville Sounds in the Round in Birmingham; their headline Nashville Meets London show at Pizza Express in March. They supported Jamie Lawson for four shows in April (London, Nottingham, Liverpool & Bristol) They headlined Country In the Afternoon Festival in London on May 19th and played the main stage at Buckle & Boots Festival. Still to come they have the Margate Country Festival in July, the British Country Music Festival in Blackpool on Aug 31st and the Small Town Big Festival in Bristol on Sept 7th.
‘Jump’ was released on June 28th on Lookout Mountain Records.
-Official bio
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