Project Overload
My favourite new local band of 2024, Project Overload, are back in action for 2025 with a new great single entitled Silhouettes, released on this very day (February 14).
It’s taken from sessions from their second album which they have been working on with Mason Le Long down at the Tin.
I’m loving the great laid back vibe and Emily’s ethereal vocals, all meshing together to create a great sound that reminds me a bit of summer (hurry up and come back).
They next play in Coventry at a Tin fundraiser on February 21, with fellow Live on Stage alumni on the bill Luminae (they’re excellent) and Loophole (their guitarist Lucas’s other band).
Budapest: A Legacy Reclaimed
Budapest.
Budapest, the indie-pop-alternative-rock band from Coventry, rose to prominence in the MySpace era with their cinematic sound, emotionally charged songwriting, and constant stream of demo uploads. Their immersive live performances and deep connection with fans helped the band carve out a devoted following.
Their debut album, Too Blind to Hear (2002) – produced by Dave Creffield (Embrace, Kaiser Chiefs) and Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Coldplay) -earned critical acclaim. The single Censored Memories became a radio hit in Spain, reaching the Top10 on the national charts, leading to a headline slot at Bennicassim Festival, cementing the band’s reputation for creating music that resonated on a profound level.
Tragedy struck when guitarist Mark Walworth passed away shortly after the album’s completion. Determined to move forward, the band brought in longtime friend Matt Parker on guitar. However, tensions with their label began to stall their progress. A US tour was canceled, and their second album, Head Towards the Dawn (2005), was released only in Spain amid ongoing legal battles.
Despite its critical success, overwhelmed by financial and legal pressures, the band disbanded in 2005 after a sold-out show in Madrid.
Frontman John Garrison went on to release three acclaimed solo albums and four more with his SATELLITES project, earning placements in over 30 US TV shows. The second SATELLITES album received the prestigious Album Of The Month at Rough Trade.
John also became a sought-after session musician and songwriter, collaborating with artists like Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams and Lewis Capaldi. Keyboardist Chris Pemberton achieved similar success, performing with James Blunt and John Grant. Drummer Tom Visser went on to start the solo project Tom the Lion.
John has been working with Ed Sheehan recently and has asked him to do a talk in Coventry as part of his foundation to inspire Coventry kids to make a career in music.
Yet Budapest’s music endured, with fans cherishing their 70-plus unreleased MySpace-era demos.
In 2024, as the 20th anniversary of their final Madrid gig approached, Garrison and Pemberton reunited while on tour as musicians in James Blunt’s band. Revisiting their old demos, they re- recorded tracks with Budapest drummer Tom Visser, discovering the music’s timeless relevance and reigniting their creative spark.
In 2025, Budapest will release these recordings and perform live in Spain, reconnecting with fans and fulfilling the promise of a legacy that remains unfinished but never forgotten.
The new single, Nobody’s Listening, is superb and will resonate with a lot of people who feel they are being ignored. It feels good to have this quality band back amongst us again.
Written by Pete Chambers BEM
