An up-and-coming Inverness band could be poised to make their international breakthrough after being booked to perform in front of leading music industry executives in California.
Lional, an indie group formed in the Highland capital in 2013, said they were “over the moon” yesterday after revealing that they will play two gigs next month at the music showcase event MUSEXPO in Los Angeles.
Dubbed as the “United Nations of Music”, the conference has attracted thousands of the top media and music industry figures since it began in 2005.
Katy Perry, Jessie J, The Temper Trap and Embrace have been among the now famous artists to be showcased at MUSEXPO in previous years, and speakers include legendary newsman Larry King, CBS director Kevin Weatherly, Universal Pictures president Mike Knobloch, and Neil Warnock, head of worldwide music at United Talent Agency.
Announcing the shows to their fans, Lional said: “We shall be venturing across to Los Angeles, California, next month to perform at the international music showcase event MUSEXPO, which is one of the world’s leading creative industries conferences.
“To any of our friends in L.A, this will involve two performances, the first on Tuesday the 19th of April at the famous S.I.R studios and the second at World Arts Media in Culver City on Thursday the 21st.
“Needless to say, we are over the moon to be granted this wonderfully surreal opportunity.”
The shows will follow-up the band’s appearance at the Groove CairnGorm Festival last weekend, and they have also been booked to play the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in August.
The group – signed to IMOUT Records – is expected to announce more international concerts in the coming weeks.
Comprised of Joshua Mackenzie, Russell Montgomery, Ross Haddow and Gogo McKerrow, their sound has been influenced by bands such as The Smiths, Joy Division, Interpol, Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand.
The band’s debut EP “My Design” was well received by critics and was given radio airplay across the country.
They were nominated as “best newcomer” at the annual Scottish Alternative Music Awards and have been tipped for the top by several industry commentators.