The Tea Street Band

The Tea Street Band release self-titled debut album on June 23 on Baltic

Timo Tierney (vocals/guitar); Lee Smith (guitar); Nick Otageui (bass); Dom Allen (drums); James Albertina (keyboards)

"I love The Tea Street Band. When I first heard Disco Lights, I thought 'Fucking hell!' It blew me away; they're right on it." Michael Head

"Think of 808 State having a meeting mid-channel with Space Disco You to hear some French electronica. You need to hear The Tea Street Band soon." Dave Monks, BBC Introducing

"Glacial guitar-led house. Really quite beautiful." High Voltage

Track Of The Week – Huw Stephens, Radio 1; Track Of The Week – Tom Robinson, 6 Music; Janice Loves Track – Janice Long, Radio 2; One Night Stand/Shock Of The New/Guess Who Track/My New Favourite Band Track – John Kennedy/Jo Good/Lliana Bird/Clint Boon, XFM

You could call The Tea Street Band the most popular band the media has yet to recognise. They've headlined the 900-capacity Liverpool Evac, as well as Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen. Support shows include The Charlatans, Jagwar Ma, The Enemy and Inspiral Carpets.

The five-piece's album is funded by Pledge Music. Many higher profile artists have failed to reach Pledge targets, but The Tea Street Band achieved over 100% of their recording budget within a fortnight. Self-sufficient funding means it's a freeing, uninhibited world away from label demands.

They're the favourite new band of Shack icon Michael Head. Amongst airplay from Radio 1 to 6 Music has been a One Night Stand session for John Kennedy on XFM. Before games, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton have played their singles, Disco Lights and Lost For Words. Even Lennox Lewis is a fan.

So there already exists a wealth of devotees won over by dizzying gigs. Plugging into the escapist spirit of early house music, propulsive rhythm section Nick Otageui and Dom Allen bear comparison to Mani and Reni, with Lee Smith's vicious guitar lines preventing matters getting too sweet. It's underpinned by Timo Tierney's angelic vocals, encapsulating the band's yearning desire for better days ahead.

The shows' euphoria is captured on their self-titled debut album, recorded at Liverpool studio Motor Museum with rising producer Al Groves (Jake Bugg, Courteeners). From the hypnotic pulse of Fiesta to Summer Dreaming's wistful beauty, it's a compelling listen that demands to be heard as one long ecstatic groove.

The Tea Street Band began by organising their own warehouse rave gigs around the North West, having formed from the ashes of acclaimed rockers The Maybes? (All the band bar dazzling keyboardist James Albertina were members.) From there, shows at Kendal Calling and Liverpool Sound City have helped build the momentum for the band's dream of uniting people at festivals.

It's a vision furthered by their album. Put a brew on and dive in.