PASTEL have been on the cusp of a major breakthrough for a while, their achievements so far including #1 and #2 vinyl chart positions for their two EPs to date (‘Deeper Than Holy’ and ‘Isaiah’), selling out their maiden UK headline tour, and the experience of opening Liam Gallagher’s huge Knebworth Park show, at the personal invitation of the man himself.

The band formed in modest circumstances. After leaving home in Manchester, Jack stopped off at James’ place in Swansea en route to see The Stone Roses at Wembley Stadium and their impromptu jam of Shack’s ‘Hazy’ prompted everyone present to ask, “Jack can sing?” When the pair arrived back in Swansea, Jack realised he’d already missed his train to Manchester and, well, basically never left. The band took shape from there before debuting with ‘She Waits For Me’ in 2020 and releasing an EP each year in 2021 and 2022, their music earning airplay at 6 Music and Radio X.