Shady Bard released their debut album, 'From The Ground Up', on Static Caravan Recordings in the UK and XTAL Records in Japan. Described as a miniature indie orchestra, their line-up includes violin, cello and French horn alongside guitars, piano, percussion and samples. They have been drawing comparisons to Godspeed, Nick Cave, Low, Radiohead and Arab Strap. Hailed as 'dazzling' by The Sunday Times, they've garnered praise from the likes of Drowned in Sound, Uncut, Q, Teletext and Organ. The album was mixed and produced by Robin Housman and the band's Lawrence Becko. The songs on 'From The Ground Up' are shaped by synaesthesia, a condition where two or more senses are combined automatically and involuntarily - in this case words and music appear in colours, tying in with the lyrical content. Shady Bard are currently recording demos for their second studio album.