CANDIDATE are one of those accessible cult bands who belong to the people who know. They have been compared happily by critics to The Beta Band, The Go Betweens, Julian Cope, and the sacred trio of initialised groups: CSNY, XTC and REM.

Long-term fan Stewart Lee described them as one of Britain’s ‘greatest psychedelic bands’, and they have won album of the year plaudits, (Sunday Times, Rolling Stone, BBC Radio 2) without ever leaving cult status.

Candidate provided the theme music for the long-running Johnny Vegas sitcom ‘Ideal’ and gained widespread acclaim for their 2003 LP ‘Nuada’, an alt-universe soundtrack for seminal folk-horror film The Wicker Man, featuring folk legend Bert Jansch of Pentangle on guitar. They were invited to attend the 50th anniversary burning ritual at the original location, playing the part of the village band for the assembled fans, witches and locals.

Their latest album, Point Clear, a richly textured bit of estuary psych, got across the board rave reviews, and may be their strongest set of songs yet.

‘A superb band. One of the best in Britain.’ Stuart Maconie, BBC Radio 6

'Candidate are Britain’s most tasteful, witty and thoughtful band.’ Stewart Lee, Sunday Times

‘The best available bridge between lo-fi Americana and the woody thrum of archaic Britfolk.’ Q Magazine


STEVEN ADAMS, formerly of The Broken Family Band, recently released his solo album Drops (Fika Recordings) in August 2024. In response, Mojo magazine noted that ‘urban Britain has generated its very own equivalent of Stephen Malkmus’.

Since calling time on The Broken Family Band at the height of their success, Adams has worked under various guises as a solo artist, and released a number of albums ranging from DIY indie rock, intimate folk, experiments in Krautrock and politically-charged widescreen pop. “A national musical treasure" The Guardian

‘Astonishing tenderness in its simplicity … brilliant lyrics.’ Q Magazine

‘The tunes are instant and uplifting, but the real wallop comes from the lyrical imagery.’ The Guardian

‘Barbed modern life chronicles.’ UNCUT

‘Forlornly rues broken relationships and still manages to be funnier than most sitcoms.’ The Mail on Sunday