Simon RushworthSong
Five Years On
Artist
Brave Rival
Brave Rival backstory
In 2022 Brave Rival were Joe Bonamassa’s ‘favourite discoveries’ of the year.
High praise indeed.
It’s fair to say Portsmouth’s blossoming blues rockers haven’t been resting on their laurels since.
New album Fight Or Flight is scheduled for release in August.
And the band’s booked a slew of dates to see us through the summer.
Spearheaded by dual vocalists Chloe Josephine and Lindsey Bonnick, the five-piece includes Donna Peters (drums, percussion and acoustic guitar), Ed ‘the Shred’ Clarke (guitar) and Billy ‘Danger’ Dedman (bass).
Formed in 2019, Brave Rival released critically acclaimed debut Life’s Machine in 2022.
And in the next 12 months they popped up at the Isle of Wight Festival, London’s 100 Club and more.
Tarrant Shepherd returns to helm the production of Fight Or Flight which sees Josephine and Bonnick build on an 11-year vocal partnership — an alliance that garnered multiple nominations at the 2024 UK Blues Awards.
In Brave Rival’s own words
“Five Years On is a celebration about how far we have come.
“But equally it’s a song for anyone who has overcome the odds and fulfilled their dreams.
“The video was shot at our biggest headline show to date, at The Wedgewood Rooms in our hometown of Portsmouth.
“We felt like we were on top of the world!
“We didn’t actually intend to use this footage for a music video but the energy and response from our Bravians to this song was electric!
“It felt right to!”
The verdict on Five Years On
There’s something quite beguiling about two powerful female voices taking on bruising blues rock — and winning.
Josephine and Bonnick don’t hold back on the bullish, celebratory Five Years On and the raw video captures the true essence of Brave Rival at their compelling best.
The whole place is bouncing as the band’s dual vocalists deliver performances rich in emotion and screaming passion.
It’s a scene far removed from the duo’s formative folk roots and proof positive that the blues is where they truly belong.
Five Years On rattles along at a rare old pace with Ed Clarke afforded ample opportunity to let his fretboard do the talking.
It might only be half a decade since Brave Rival burst onto the British blues scene.
But on this evidence we’re witnessing a gold-plated permanent fixture set to dazzle fans for years to come.
What’s next for Brave Rival
New album Fight Or Flight drops on August 16.
Brave Rival are one of a handful of bands joining FM on their Old Habits Die Hard 40th anniversary tour.
