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We’re as far from folk troubadour land as possible,” reveals Justin Lockey, former member of Tyneside-based noiseniks Yourcodenameis: Milo and now one half of expansive indie-rock duo White Belt Yellow Tag . “I met Craig in a studio he was working out of whilst I was there mixing. After a while we got to know each other and then I helped him out with some tunes, which turned into a band as time passed. It’s not the most mythical of stories on how the band got together , but we pretty much sat in a room with no natural light for a long time making tunes .”

Borne from the pair’s initial studio-based artist-producer partnership, White Belt Yellow Tag has quickly developed into a well-regarded live outfit drawing favourable comparisons with Slint and Doves . “I think over time we realised it was the only logical way to evolve,” Lockey explains. “It was a partnership with no friction or goal, so when we came to making the album we decided halfway through that we should probably play it live too. It’s a very relaxed band. We kind of drift into where we were headed as opposed to aiming and wanting, like most bands do.”

Having recruited ex-Cooper Temple Clause man Tom Bellamy as their live drummer, White Belt Yellow Tag have been blowing audiences away during their recent support slots with The Joy Formidable . “We knew through people close with the band that he was an immense drummer,” Lockey continues. “We got him up into the rehearsal room and it turned out that he was, and then voila!”

With a debut album due to land later in the year, White Belt Yellow Tag already seems destined for greatness. “The album has turned into a beast,” Lockey concludes. “The best record I’ve ever had anything to do with. It’s majestic in its sonics and scope.”

White Belt Yellow Tag ’s new single ‘Tell Your Friends (It All Worked Out)’ is released on July 13 through Distiller Records .

Check myspace.com/whitebeltyellowtag

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