Halifax duo Wax-Tree-Cast have shared new single ‘Oliver Reed’ ahead of a huge hometown show opening for The Charlatans and Johnny Marr at The Piece Hall. Formed in mid-2020 by vocalist and bassist Oolagh Hodgson and songwriter Blair Murray, Wax-Tree-Cast have been causing a stir from their sleepy West Yorkshire hometown since their inception as a lockdown recording project.

Now working with Blue Raincoat Music / Chrysalis Records, the duo have shared new single ‘Oliver Reed’; Named after the infamous actor, the band charts a tragic story of a talented musician who never really found his way. A heavy tale of alcohol-abuse and wasted talent delivered over deceptively bright guitars and classic melodies that show an already remarkable gift for creating hooky, timeless pop songs.

Blair Murray, Wax-Tree-Cast on ‘Oliver Reed’: “’Oliver Reed’ tells a loose story about a musician who has become a washout after never really making it to the top and finding his success. Our ex-musician has slowly dropped out of society and sits/lives on a park bench watching the world go by. Unfortunately he eventually meets his fate and dies in the same bar as Oliver Reed. The song has been heavily inspired by the classic Mr. Bojangles and seeing Sammy Davis Jr admits his fears that he would eventually be forgotten about before singing it live.”