Gift, The
Antenna
The Gift originally formed in 2003 when Mike Morton (writer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist) hooked up with Leroy James (guitarist, writer and producer). Their debut album, Awake and Dreaming was released in 2006) to great reviews. After the success of the debut, The Gift went on hiatus until 2014s Land of Shadows appeared when a rejuvenated band made their triumphant return, with guitarist David Lloyd taking Leroys place as co-writer and producer. This also saw the start of The Gift cementing their reputation as a dynamic and incendiary live act. The release of 2016s critically acclaimed Why the Sea is Salt also saw Leroy returning to the fold, joining the current line-up with Neil Hayman (drums), Stef Dickers (bass) and renowned classical pianist Gabriele Baldocci on keyboards. The Gifts fourth album Antenna marks a conscious decision by the band to step away from the bigger concept pieces, focusing on shorter, punchier songs.