Chvrches
Chvrches live in London in 2012. Iain Cook on the left, Lauren Mayberry in center, Martin Doherty on the right.
Background information
Also known as	CHVRCHES
Origin	Glasgow, Scotland
Genres	Electronic, synthpop
Years active	2011–present
Associated acts	Aereogramme, The Unwinding Hours, The Twilight Sad, Blue Sky Archives
Website	facebook.com/CHVRCHES
Members
Lauren Mayberry Iain Cook Martin Doherty

Chvrches (pronounced as "churches" and sometimes stylized as CHVRCHES) are a Scottish alternative electronic band from Glasgow, formed in 2011. The group consists of Lauren Mayberry (main vocals, occasionally synthesizers), Iain Cook (synthesizers, vocals), and Martin Doherty (synthesizers, vocals).

According to BBC, their single "The Mother We Share" is "undeniably sad but also euphoric, it's a captivating calling card that sets them apart in 2013".^[1]

Chvrches featured on BBC Sound of 2013 long list.^[2] They have come fifth in the BBC's Sound of 2013 new music list.^[3]

History[link]

Before Chvrches, Mayberry was keyboardist and co-vocalist for the band Blue Sky Archives. Cook was a member of Aereogramme and The Unwinding Hours; he also wrote music for film and TV.^[3] Doherty was a live member of The Twilight Sad.^[4] Mayberry did a four-year law degree, followed by a Masters in journalism. She's also a trained drummer.^[5]

In October 2011, Lauren Mayberry was asked to sing on a couple of demos by her producer Iain Cook and his friend Martin Doherty.^[3] They decided to form a new band after the sessions proved to be successful.^[3] They chose the name Chvrches, using a Roman "v" to avoid confusions with actual churches on internet searches.^[3]

Lauren Mayberry performing live with her band Chvrches at London (2012)

In May 2012, Chvrches premiered the song "Lies", followed by "The Mother We Share" in September 2012.

In June 2012, The Guardian featured Chvrches as one of New Bands of the Day.^[6]

BBC described "The Mother We Share" as "electro-pop that shimmers only when the tears are washed from its speaker cones. Debut single The Mother We Share rightly caused something of a stir with its accessible yet ambitious synth angles, positioned somewhere between Robyn and The Knife".^[1] "The Mother We Share" has been written and recorded in two days.^[3]

"Lies" ranked at number 28 on NME's Best Tracks of 2012.^[7] "The Mother We Share" ranked at number 51 on The Huffington Post Top 52 Songs of 2012.^[8]

Currently, the band is working on their debut album, due 2013.

Music style[link]

Chvrches music style is usually tagged as electronic or synthpop. Neon Gold described their sound as "a godless hurricane of kinetic pop energy".^[9]

Chvrches were influenced by acts such as Prince, Tubeway Army, Robyn, Lil Wayne, Laurie Anderson, Depeche Mode, Kate Bush, and Elliott Smith.^{[4] [3]} The band write, record, mix and master everything in a basement studio in Glasgow.^[4]

Touring[link]

In 2012, Chvrches toured with Passion Pit, as the opening band for their concerts. They also toured on their own.

Discography[link]

Singles[link]

• "Lies" (2012)
• "The Mother We Share" (2012)

One-off songs[link]

• "I Would Die 4 V" (live cover of a Prince song, 2012)

Remixes[link]

• Ultraísta – "Gold Dayzz" (Chvrches remix)

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official site: facebook.com/CHVRCHES
• Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/chvrches
• Tumblr: chvrches.tumblr.com