Lydian Collective

With over 1 million Spotify streams and 1.4 million views to date on their YouTube channel, and a host of solo credits between them (from Roots Manuva to Monument Valley), London’s Lydian Collective are an exciting new musical voice who are about to make their mark in the UK and beyond. The band brings together Aaron ‘Lazslo’ Wheeler (keys), Todd Baker (guitar), Ida Hollis (bass) and Sophie Alloway (drums) – four musicians with individual success under their belts, who have found a collective voice through the band’s music.

The Lydian Collective sound is a unique combination of accessible melodies, accomplished musicianship, hypnotic rhythms and an uplifting vibe, which has already been drawing in audiences from around the world. A unique combination of jazz musicianship, melodies that catch the ear and the heart, and infectious rhythms is brought together to winning effect on their debut album “Adventure”.

The millions who follow the band’s online channels include fans from as far afield as the USA, China and Japan – with a healthy following on home ground as well, through early support from the likes of Nick Luscombe at BBC Radio 3 and Tom Robinson at BBC6Music – as well as gigs at the London’s Royal Festival Hall, Union Chapel, Clore Ballroom, Soho Pizza Express, Cheltenham Jazz and Cambridge Jazz Festivals.

There are also plans to perform their compositions with the 85-piece Capital Orchestra in 2019.

An early cameo appearance for the band was on the soundtrack album to Monument Valley 2 - www.monumentvalleygame.com. MV2 is a major game release on the iOS platform, developed and marketed by ustwo, with millions of users around the world. Todd Baker, the band’s guitarist, wrote the entire soundtrack to the game, and the recording of his track “Child” is a key moment on the soundtrack.

Aaron Wheeler and Todd Baker are the creative minds behind the band’s sound. Both have found success as commercial composers, but they first met at college – where a love of music was their bond. Aaron’s electronica work as Lazslo also has a successful life of its own, with his track “Mr Sunshine” currently sitting at over 850,000 streams on Spotify (you can check out a version of this track on Lydian Collective’s album). The compositions played by the band arose out of a difficult period in Aaron’s life when a back injury confined him to his sofa for many months. The pure and playful melodies which arose, and appear in the band’s music were part of his long recovery.

Sophie Alloway is one of London’s most in-demand drummers, and she is first call for a host of high profile artists. She toured for 2 years with Roots Manuva, around UK, Australia and New Zealand – appearing with him at festivals, on TV and at awards ceremonies. Her other credits include Afrobeat legend Tony Allen; pop/punk singer Hazel Thomas and UK jazz star Jason Rebello.

Ida Hollis - Ida studied Jazz at Birmingham Conservatoire and has played alongside some of the UK's finest musicians including Gwilym Simcock and Tate Britain artist in residence Tim Whitehead. She has performed at prestigious venues such as Ronnie Scott's, the 606 Jazz Club, Birmingham Symphony Hall and at Glastonbury, Latitude and Cheltenham Jazz festivals. Show less