Hemel Hempstead band complete debut EP and land themselves a record deal

A band from Hemel Hempstead have completed their EP and landed themselves a record deal during lockdown.

In the forest are an indie-folk band who grew up in Hemel Hempstead, featuring two sisters and two married couples - Becky and Alex Lee-Richards, and Rachel and Rob Harwood-Stamper.

During the lockdown period, the four musicians have worked tirelessly to complete their self-titled and self-released debut EP, which will be released June 17.

The three-song collection was recorded just before lockdown at the end of February at Rowley Barn, Borehamwood, produced by Leighton Buzzard producer, Rob Eveling.

The lockdown period has meant that Becky and Alex have been at home with Becky on maternity leave - baby due on the same day as the EP will be released - and Alex furloughed from his job.

The extra time at home has been spent on signing off the production of the songs, creating a brand new website to promote the EP, setting up the release, making a lockdown music video, creating EP artwork using the artistic skills of Rachel and they have even made a remote appearance on BBC 3 Counties radio to talk about the EP, where the songs were played by local music supporter and radio DJ Mike Naylor for the very first time.

Becky Lee-Richards, from In The Forest, said: "‘Means to an end’ has been chosen as the lead track from the EP. Mainly because the lyrics feel so poignant for the strange times we find ourselves living in.

"Everyone who has heard the song has made that connection, especially those that have also watched the lockdown music video we made, which is available to watch on our YouTube channel.

"The idea of the video began as a personal diary of pictures and videos taken during lockdown, as a way of capturing such a monumental and unusual period of time.

"Alex and I are expecting our second baby and wanted to show this to our children in the future”.

Their music features four-part harmonies and is underpinned by their close chemistry as a family.

Their sound has been likened to The Mamas and the Papas, Watford's The Staves and Fairport Convention and listeners have described the sound as a 'throw-back Laurel Canyon sound with a modern-twist'.

To add to the band's excitement, on May 28, independent record label Last Night From Glasgow listened to the new EP and they signed In the forest to their stable of artists.

They particularly enjoyed track 3 titled ‘On the run’ from the EP and are now planning to release this as a 7” AA side vinyl with another band from their roster ‘Nicol & Elliott’.

To watch the music video go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9oeULoSi0EFor more about the band visit the In The Forest Facebook Pageor Instagram Page.

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