Some bands take you by surprise. Imagine turning up to a gig to find a 20-year-old, 6’8” black guy in a tiny leather jacket and hood singing beautifully and intensely in perfect baritone, his arms outstretched and a talented impassive posse standing right beside him.

That’s just what Deadly saw back in February 2009. They signed O. Children five minutes after that gig.

To make a brilliant album is not too much to ask for. Especially a debut that has been brewing in lead singer & main songwriter Tobi O’Kandi’s head since birth. After being blown away by the demos, Deadly sent the band off to the Kent countryside to record with Barny Barnicott. Music started making its way back and the first time Deadly heard it they were nervous. They even had a few drinks to prepare themselves…

What they heard was undeniably something extraordinary, thunderous, epic and heartfelt. It has strange hooks, swirling minimalist guitars and 80s drums (“can you make it sound more like a drum machine” – Andi, drummer). With serious nods to the likes of Bauhaus, Sisters Of Mercy, Joy Division and of course Nick Cave (who wrote the song the band took as their name), O. Children’s self titled debut is something completely out of sync with their contemporaries. The fact that no one in the band was born when their influences were performing makes it all the more special.

They’ve sold out venues across the UK, claimed loyal fans at BBC Radio 1 (including Huw Stephens, Zane Lowe and Nick Grimshaw) and are due to play a stream of festivals throughout the summer (including Glastonbury, Bestival, Latitude, Lovebox and many more).

O. Children are Tobi O’Kandi (Vocals), Andi Sleath (Drums) Gauthier Ajarrista (Guitar) and Harry James (Bass).