Roxy Girls release vinyl EP to help raise funds for Sunderland Foodbanks

Like all involved in the arts and culture sector, Roxy Girls haven’t been able to pursue their passion for performing live since March. During the slight reprieve between lockdowns, however, the four-piece were able to reunite to record a new EP.

The four-track record has been released as a limited edition vinyl, with 75% of profits going towards Sunderland Foodbanks, who’ve provided a lifeline service to the city’s most vulnerable during the pandemic.

The Effect of Tomorrow was only meant to have 100 vinyls pressed, but after all 100 were pre-ordered, subscription service Flying Vinyl donated a further 100 to the cause, with around 90 of those left.

Made up of Tom Hawick on lead vocals and guitar; Isaac Hirshfield-Wight on guitar and vocals; Matthew Collerton on bass and Aidan Rowan on drums, the band had already built up a firm following in their native Sunderland and were gaining real momentum, with their first headline UK tour booked, before lockdown hit.

Tom, who founded the band with Isaac after the pair met as teenagers at the city’s Pop Recs culture hub, said: “We had the opportunity to finally get together in August and it was very much needed. We’ve all been doing our own musical endeavours in lockdown, but that was the first time we could actually get together. As performers, our entire life has been turned on its head and it’s been really difficult.

"Things were going really well at the beginning of the year. In the first six weeks, we did 12 gigs, mostly in London, and we had our first tour booked. We went from that to nothing.”

The band spent two days at First Avenue Studios, in Newcastle, recording the EP, which is also available digitally.

Speaking about why they wanted to help the city’s foodbanks, Tom, from Doxford Park, said: “Foodbanks are something we shouldn’t have to consider. It’s sad they even exist, but they are so needed, especially at the minute.”

Tom lives with Isaac and the pair already have a backlog of songs written during lockdown, which they’re hoping to be able to perform with the rest of the band for audiences next year.

The singer said: “Having such a backlog of songs is one positive to come out of this and puts us in a really good position for when we’re coming into our first album. We’re confident we’ll be doing gigs again next year and we’re already getting offers in for next summer. Rather than rescheduled dates, they’re new offers, which is great.”

*The Effect of Tomorrow limited edition pink vinyl is £6.99 and is available from the Roxy Girls Bandcamp page.

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