Lottery Winners hit jackpot with EP

ONE of the most successful bands on the borough's music scene is proving good things come to those who wait after releasing its debut EP.
The Lottery WinnersThe Lottery Winners
The Lottery Winners

The Lottery Winners, from Leigh, have built up a strong fanbase as well as winning plaudits from top music broadcasters and journalists over the past few years and have now released The Meaning of Life.

The group, made up of singer and guitarist Thom Rylance, guitarist Rob Lally, bassist Katie Lloyd and drummer Joe Singleton, branch out from their earlier pop sounds on the EP with a darker edge reflecting the production process, which took place over the cold weeks around Christmas.

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The Lottery Winners decided to record in their home borough, working in Wigan with producer Gareth Nuttall.

Finally, they whittled the stack of songs they have written over the past two years down to the final five.

Songwriter Thom said: “Surprisingly to me, the theme of the EP came out overall as representing loneliness and all that comes with it.

“But I certainly don’t want it to be perceived as complaining.

“I want the fans to relate to it.

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“I hope the songs say something meaningful to people about their lives.”

The indie-pop band’s loyal fanbase also played their part in making the EP a reality with The Meaning of Life being crowd-funded through Pledge Music, hitting the target in just four days.

The popular funding website also recognised the group’s abilities by naming The Lottery Winners an Emerging Talent, an accolade picked by Pledge Music, Help Musicians UK and a panel of prestigious music industry judges.

Guitarist Rob said: “I didn’t even realise just how dedicated our fans were until this happened.

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“The support we’ve received from everyone was outstanding. We’ve had great backing from Pledge Music throughout and to be chosen by them as an Emerging Talent was very flattering.”

The Meaning of Life is available in the full array of modern musical formats, with fans able to snap up the EP as a CD, a vinyl record or in MP3.

The EP is the follow-up to debut single Elizabeth, which was accompanied by a video starring Leigh actor Will Travis.

The group has also recorded and shot a video for follow-up track Pillows.

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Having previously performed with the likes of Madness, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Jamie Cullum and The Charlatans the band is looking forward to returning to the live arena and playing the EP’s songs.

Dates across the North West and in London have been planned to celebrate the release’s launch before The Lottery Winners head out on tour opening for The Wonder Stuff and The Wedding Present.

However, bassist Katie’s response to a question about the band’s rock ‘n’ roll antics on the road prove the EP’s success will probably do little to dilute The Lottery Winners’ typical self-deprecating sense of humour.

She said: “I think I’ve envisioned how amazing the gigs will be and lots of drinking going on, but in reality it’ll be a lot of service station quarrels about whether to get a KFC, McDonalds or Burger King.”

The Meaning of Life, by The Lottery Winners, is out now. To find out more, visit thelotterywinners.co.uk or www.facebook.com/thelotterywinners

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