Within only a few years of receiving his first guitar from his parents for good exam results, Taylor Johnson has gone from playing in the local pubs in his native sleepy village of Castlerock on Northern Ireland’s North Coast, to secure a record deal and playing festival stages across the UK and Ireland. Alongside his sister Lauren (Johnson, synth/ vocals) and brother Logan (bass) they formed Brand New Friend, their honest indie-pop quickly gathering a following across the country as they went. It was during this formative period they met Aaron Milligan (lead guitar) and Luke Harris (drums), then playing as a two piece in their own band. After sharing the stage at a local gig, it seemed inevitable the five would unite, completing Brand New Friend’s line-up almost by accident.
No strangers to Ireland’s buzzing live scene, Brand New Friend have been making waves with some incendiary live shows across the island. Following the release of their debut album in 2018, they toured relentlessly, playing in support of Snow Patrol, Lewis Capaldi, Kodaline, Ash, Starcrawler, At the Drive In, Pretty Vicious, RAT BOY, and Feeder and firing up stages from Reading and Leeds and Radio 1 ‘s Big Weekend to Electric Picnic.
Along the way they have garnered plays on the likes of Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart shows on Radio 1, Radio X and 6 Music with Steve Lamacq.