Hailing from Portsmouth, Common Tongue is a brand new duo to hit the alternative rock scene of the UK. Formed by Matt Thompsett on guitar and vocals, and Matt Winterman on drums, together they draw on their shared sonic vision and united creative expression, resulting in Common Tongue becoming their vehicle for artistic output.
What started out as a conversation in a bar led to the pair realising they knew each other when growing up in Chatham. With an overlap in musical inspirations, which included artists such as Cleopatrik, Royal Blood and Muse, they formed Common Tongue in Portsmouth at the tail end of the pandemic lockdowns.
Now unveiling their original sound to the world, they bring us their debut single titled “Isolation,” a track inspired by how the government handled the pandemic in the UK and how the unprecedented times affected us all. Linking up with producer Tim Greaves at Southsea Sound, they captured the first taste of their style in the studio.
Opened by the gritty tone of a rolling guitar riff, the band’s Muse influence shines as they set up a grooving alternative rock scene. As the crash of drums enter, they drive the energy with pounding and splashy energy as they channel a brooding rock sound packed full of crunchy tone and bouncy rhythm.
Matt Thompsett’s voice enters to spin commanding vocal leads, carrying rousing lyricism as the arrangement charges towards the chorus with fuzzy guitar textures and punching drums. Launching into an epic chorus brimming with anthem rock aesthetic and lifted by instantly memorable vocal hooks, with their debut single Common Tongue makes an emphatic entrance to the music scene.
Already securing radio support on Future Hits Radio and performing live at Neuwaves in Portsmouth, with the band set to play in London in early March, 2024 is sure to be a breakout year for this exciting new duo. With their sophomore single “Speak” lined up for next month and their debut EP set to drop later this year, Common Tongue have firmly placed themselves on the map of must-watch artists in the UK and beyond.
Listen to Isolation below
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