Mark Sharp and the Bicycle Thieves to release new material

Experimentation has formed the backbone of the quintet that had been making strides before the horror show of 2020 took hold.

Pulling threads from indie rock, infectious pop and floor-filling dance, the unexpected became part of the appeal.

"We are always looking to change up the sound," the band's frontman muses as he considers their development from the early days to their MS&TBT EP, released in 2019.

For Sharp, the prospect of floundering in one style of music holds no appeal. He believes their penchant for exploring new genres has been their strength.

He tells The Weekender: "It's always better to see bands experimenting a little bit and to not be known for just the one sound and only build a fanbase around that. Because as soon as they try and do things slightly different, they'll have some loyal fans on their case.

"The fact we have always experimented means that people are now expecting the unexpected from us. And it keeps it interesting for us as well – we like to mix it up because we don't ever want to write the same song over and over."

He continues: "Our first EP was certainly a little more indie rock, though some dance elements started creeping in with likes of Firewater.

"And then on our last EP, well, we sort of just went a bit mad with some of the instruments, to be honest – I mean, we had bongos and mad flutes on Moonshine, and some different drum sounds.

"We are always looking to change up the sound and we certainly will be with the next releases."

WE RIDE AGAIN: Mark Sharp and the Bicycle Thieves will be back later this year with new material. Picture by Sinead Ferguson

The progress made by the band in recent years was clear for all to see. Sell out shows were the norm, with new tracks projected to pick up tens of thousands of streams.

Their most recent single releases, Moonshine and Tippy Toes, found on the 2019 EP, were also the band's most successful – paving the way for what was to be a huge 2020.

And then, instead of ruing the loss of momentum, the band set about creating new material and taking the time to see where their sound would deliver them.

"It's been a strange time," Sharp continues. "The pandemic has given us more time to get demos together. Normally we would be gigging all the time and, even though I'd always be writing, it was always harder to find the time to get songs done.

"Everyone has been able to sit down and get their ideas down and we've had the chance to put them all together.

We have a couple of songs that are pretty-much ready to go and we're just adding the finishing touches on. And we also have a couple of others that we need to get finished off in the studio. After that we have loads of other demos that we could record in the future as well.

"We just wish we could gig so we could have the money to record them and get them out there."

For those anticipating new releases from the band, the wait will soon be over.

We are always looking to change up the sound and we certainly will be with the next releases."

All things being equal, the band will have new singles out between now and the summer.

Sharp says: "We will definitely release new material this year. With everything going on we didn't release anything last year – though we did do a covers album and a live album.

"We might have been able to put something towards the end of 2020, but I think it was a good idea not to because we didn't want to be waiting a whole year before we could play it live.

"I'm not sure how many tracks we will get out this year – obviously, we can't get gig and recording isn't cheap. It's hard to say when we will release, but I'd say maybe a new track before the summer and then again over the summer.

"But it's good to know we are writing new songs and I'm quite content with what we have just now."

He adds: "The next two songs fit well together: they're very upbeat and have that summery feel about them. Again, they are another departure from the likes of Moonshine and Tippy Toes – but in a good way. They feel like they are going to be great to play live.

"We're moving in the right direction with our songs. Hopefully, folk will like them.

WE RIDE AGAIN: Mark Sharp and the Bicycle Thieves will be back later this year with new material. Picture by Sinead Ferguson

"It's hard to say which songs will be released next, but we're really happy with what we are sitting on right now. I think it's some of the best stuff we have ever done."

The holy grail for artists right now is, of course, live shows. Every band is desperate to take to the stage this year, in some capacity.

There had been hope that festivals would be the forum – with outdoor congregation likely to be approved before indoors.

Hopefully, it's not too long before we get to play these new tracks for everyone. There is no better feeling."

However, major festivals have had to pull the plug early with Glastonbury already announcing it will not go ahead this summer.

Though maybe only a glimmer of hope, there is still an outside chance that boutique festivals – particularly those towards the end of the season – might just get the go-ahead.

Mark Sharp and the Bicycle Thieves are slated to perform at Party at the Palace in Linlithgow this August, and it would be hard to find a better way to make a return after 17 months.

"Fingers crossed for that festival," Sharp adds. "It's such a good line-up this year, and last year obviously.

"It's a great festival, I love it. We'd play it every year if they asked us. I went to the very first one with Deacon Blue and it some was night.

"You'd like to think that outdoor gigs, at least in some form, might return first. And it's a shame for so many venues that have been struggling, and have been since day one. If festivals do return, I'd love to see them trying to get these other venues involved in some way.

"Our last gig before lockdown was in March last year – so almost a full year without playing. That's why we do it – we write songs and release them so we can play them live. Hopefully, it's not too long before we get to play these new tracks for everyone. There is no better feeling.

"I'd love to get a practice in at the moment, to be honest. It's been too long. But it will be worth it in the end – for us, it will be the biggest party ever the next time we get on stage."

LISTEN: Mark Sharp & The Bicycle Thieves on Spotify