Backroom Stereo
Colchester Based Pop/Rock Music

Pop-Punk and Country collide in a unique double release

Two of today’s most exciting independent acts, Backroom Stereo and Mark Richard & The Ruins, are thrilled to announce the release of their dual single, “Drinking,” offering fans two completely different takes on the same song. The single will drop on October 4, 2024, on all major streaming platforms.

In a rare and creative crossover, the two artists both consisting solely of Mark Tiddy have brought their own signature sounds to “Drinking”—a track that explores the emotional highs and lows of love, loss, and the solace we sometimes seek in a bottle.

Backroom Stereo, known for their high-energy pop-punk sound, delivers a fast-paced, electrifying version of “Drinking” with catchy hooks, driving guitars, and an anthemic chorus. Fans of bands like Blink-182 and All Time Low will feel right at home with their rendition, which captures the rebellious spirit and raw emotion the genre is known for.

On the flip side, Mark Richard & The Ruins bring a heartfelt, country twist to “Drinking,” with twangy guitars, soulful harmonies, and a storytelling approach that resonates deeply with fans of modern country music. Their version speaks to the heartache and longing that the genre excels in portraying, making it a must-listen for fans of artists like Chris Stapleton and Zac Brown Band.

“I wanted to show how a song can change entirely based on the genre,” says Mark Tiddy, lead vocalist of Backroom Stereo. “This project was so much fun because I was able to play around with different genres for the same song and be able to release both. Both the country and pop-punk versions tell that story in their own way”

The dual release is a bold move for both acts, showcasing their versatility and expanding their reach across genres. Fans can expect not just two versions of a song, but two distinct emotional journeys, offering something for both pop-punk enthusiasts and country lovers alike.

“Drinking” by Backroom Stereo and Mark Richard & The Ruins will be available for streaming and purchase on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major platforms on October 4, 2024.

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About Backroom Stereo
Backroom Stereo is a pop-punk band known for their energetic performances and infectious melodies. The group has been steadily rising in the independent scene, drawing inspiration from the early 2000s pop-punk wave while adding a fresh, modern twist.

About Mark Richard & The Ruins
Mark Richard & The Ruins is a country band with a soulful, storytelling approach to music. With a blend of traditional and modern country influences, they’ve built a reputation for their heartfelt lyrics and dynamic performances.

If you’re a fan of country music and you haven’t heard of Mark Richard and the Ruins yet, you’re in for a treat. This emerging band from Backroom Stereo’s Mark Tiddy is already making waves in the country scene with their distinctive sound, heartfelt lyrics, and a talent for crafting songs that stick with you long after the last note fades. With three singles already out—“Summer Drive”, “Sad Songs Make Me Sad”, and “Too Many Ghosts”—Mark is showing no signs of slowing down.

A Band with a Story to Tell

Mark Richard and the Ruins knows how to tell stories. Each of his songs paints a vivid picture, whether it’s about love, loss, or the open road. Their music has that timeless quality that makes country music so relatable, while also bringing something fresh and unique to the genre.

At the heart of the music is Mark himself, whose smooth vocals and raw emotion give life to every song. Mark combines traditional country influences with a modern twist, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and new.

The Singles: A Taste of What’s to Come

So far, Mark has released three singles, and each one offers a glimpse into their versatility and artistry.

1. Summer Drive

This track is the perfect soundtrack for a road trip. With its upbeat tempo and breezy lyrics, “Summer Drive” takes you on a journey through warm nights, open highways, and the freedom of the road. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to roll down the windows and sing along at the top of your lungs.

2. Sad Songs Make Me Sad

Country music has a long tradition of heartbreak songs, and “Sad Songs Make Me Sad” is an instant classic. This single dives deep into the melancholy of lost love, capturing the universal feeling of being brought to tears by a sad song. The emotional depth in the lyrics paired with a haunting melody makes this one a standout.

3. Too Many Ghosts

With “Too Many Ghosts”, Mark Richard and the Ruins explore the weight of memories. It’s a slower, more reflective track, rich with symbolism and personal resonance. Fans of storytelling in music will appreciate the intricate layers of meaning in this song.

You can listen to these tracks and more by visiting Mark Richard and the Ruins’ official website.

What’s Next for Mark Richard and the Ruins?

While these three singles have already garnered attention, Mark Richard and the Ruins is just getting started. Mark is hard at work on new music, and fans can expect more releases in the near future. If the quality of their first three singles is any indication, their upcoming songs are sure to be equally captivating.

Stay tuned for more from this exciting new band, and be sure to follow Mark on his journey as he continue to make their mark on the country music scene. Keep up with all their latest releases and updates at markrichardandtheruins.co.uk.

Mark Richard and the Ruins are proving that country music is alive and well, and he is ready to take it to the next level. So, hop in, buckle up, and enjoy the ride—because this band is going places!

I’m really excited to announce that I have started a new musical project alongside Backroom Stereo. Mark Richard and the Ruins is a series of country songs I’ve been working on for the last couple of years with the first single ‘Too Many Ghosts’ now available to stream everywhere!

Apple Music tells me I spent over 100,000 minutes listening to music this year so here are my top 9 albums that came out in 2023 (in no particular order)

1. Ashley Cooke – Shot in the Dark (This album was actually my most listened to album of the year!)
2. Morgan Wade – Psychopath
3. Blink 182 – One More Time
4. The Lottery Winners – Anxiety Replacement Therapy
5. Tommy Price – This Far South
6. You Me At Six – Truth Decay
7. Waterparks – Intellectual Property
8. Pierce the Veil – The Jaws of Life
9. Ernest – Flower Shops (The Album) – Two Dozen Roses

After taking a break from releasing Christmas songs last year this year I’ve put together 2 Christmas covers…the first of which is out now! https://lnkfi.re/forgetdecember

This is a cover of Something Corporate’s ‘Forget December’ which I’ve been listening to for about 20 years…Andrew McMahon who went on to form Jack’s Mannequin and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness has been one of my favourite musicians for such a long time and in the year Something Corporate reformed for a few shows it seemed fitting to cover their classic!

Stream it everywhere now and stay tuned for next Friday’s cover!

Apple Music tells me I listened to 8,771 songs and 957 artists this year and out of the new music this year here are my 9 favourites (in no particular order) but a special notable mention to Seaforth who, since discovering them in August and seeing them at The Long Road, I’ve had their album on repeat a few times a week!

1. Seaforth – What I Get For Loving You
2. Set It Of – Elsewhere
3. Underoath – Voyeurist
4. Pup – The Unravelling of Pup The Band
5. Silverstein – Misery Made Me
6. Halestorm – Back from the Dead
7. Deaf Havana – The Present is a Foreign Land
8. Ocean Grove – Up in the Air Forever
9. Dan Andriano and the Bygones – Dear Darkness

I’ve just dropped a few pieces of “You’ve Got This” merch with the fortune cookie design from the EP artwork. The new t-shirts, sweaters and stickers are available now in a variety of colours and look awesome!

Click here to visit the store and shop now!

My brand new single ‘You’ve Got This’ is out now…it’s a feel-good song for anyone who feels like they can’t do it.

This is the first song off my upcoming album and brings together punchy-guitars and ska-punk feels!

Steam it now on Spotify.

Come along to the Queen Street Brew House in Colchester for an evening of acoustic music with Fraser Morgan, Rosalind Harniess and Backroom Stereo.

This event is completely free! More details on Facebook here