Sara Sanchez – Lead Vocals/Guitar
Martin Knight – Bass/Backing Vocals
Chris Marsay - Guitar
Mister Nivelles – Drums
Formed in 2004 by songwriters Sara Sanchez and Martin Knight, Hull-based band The Favours spent their formative years building up a strong local fanbase, driving coaches filled with fans down to London gigs and self-releasing their own album ‘Magpie’s Revenge’. By the end of 2005, the band had completed their first UK tours and played shows in Belgium and Germany, however, their highlight was headlining the first ever unsigned stage at the Leeds Festival.
In 2006, The Favours had been hauled out of Hull for a US tour that saw them supporting acclaimed American band The Wrens at sold-out shows in legendary venues such as New York’s Bowery Ballroom and Philadelphia’s Northstar Bar. By spring, they were touring the UK again, culminating in a riotous show at London’s ULU.
Come the summer, despite their unsigned status and thanks to their rapidly growing fanbase, The Favours were invited to play at the BBC’s prestigious, inaugural Electric Proms Festival, appearing alongside the likes of Kasabian, The Who and Paul Weller.
Autumn saw the band shooting their debut video with top producer Des Burkinshaw (ITV Chart Show, Jo Whiley Show, Top of the Pops).
With one last gasp for breath, The Favours’ year ended with clips from their exhilarating Proms performance being used on a BBC ‘This is what we do’ ident that was shown repeatedly on BBC1, 2, 3 and 4 throughout November.
The Favours released their critically acclaimed debut single ‘Islands’ in September and did a full UK tour to coincide. Leading up to the release, Music Week said “Islands rocks along with jagged guitars and a vast chorus and deserves widespread radio support”.
2nd single “Sick of it’ followed in December and as well as receiving plenty of Regional Radio Airplay and great feedback from producers, it was also picked up by Hugh Stephens for his Radio 1 show.
The bands 3rd single ‘One up on you’ was released on 5th May 2008. Backed by ‘Bad intentions’, it went down a storm in UK clubs and received plays on Radio 1 and 6-Music.
The band are currently demo'ing tracks for their long-awaited and much anticipated new album.
“It’s taken a hell of a lot of hard work, determination and self-belief to get to this point” says Sara, whose tiny frame and sweet speaking voice betray none of her grit and growl on stage. “Last year proved it was well worth the wait. The songs flowed like they never had before and the buzz on stage was amazing. People who saw us said they could feel it too.”