slowdive

Slowdive, the lowercase-loving English shoegaze pioneers, emerged from Reading, Berkshire in 1989. The original lineup—Rachel Goswell (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Neil Halstead (vocals, guitars), Christian Savill (guitars), Nick Chaplin (bass), and Simon Scott (drums, guitars, electronics)—laid the groundwork for the band's iconic sound, all contributing to their early recordings. Halstead served as the primary songwriter.

After a string of EPs, their 1991 debut Just for a Day and its 1993 follow-up, Souvlaki, cemented Slowdive's status as leading lights in the burgeoning UK shoegaze scene. However, internal tensions led to the departure of Scott, Savill, and Chaplin, resulting in the band's dissolution following their 1995 album, Pygmalion. Goswell and Halstead continued making music as Mojave 3, pursuing a more folk and country-influenced direction.

Slowdive's highly anticipated reunion in 2014 at Primavera Sound festival ignited a resurgence. Their self-titled album in 2017 marked a triumphant return after a 22-year hiatus. The band's continued success culminated in 2023 with the release of Everything Is Alive, their fifth studio album and their first to reach the top ten in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, a significant milestone in their already legendary career.

1989-1991: Formation and Early EPs

Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswell, friends since the age of six, formed Slowdive in Reading, England, in October 1989. Both contributed vocals and guitar to their early work.