The Backseat Lovers

The Backseat Lovers were formed in 2018. Lead singer and guitarist Joshua Harmon and guitarist Jonas Swanson first met while waiting in line for an open mic in Provo, Utah in 2017. The two were joined by drummer Juice Welch and bassist Ethan Christensen.^[1] Christensen was later replaced by KJ Ward.^[2] Harmon was previously the vocalist of the indie rock band Moody Pulp.^[3] In June 2018, the group won a "battle of the bands" competition at Velour, a Provo venue. That month, the band also self-released its first EP, Elevator Days.^[4]

In January 2019, The Backseat Lovers released its first studio album, When We Were Friends. The album featured the singles, "Maple Syrup"^[4] and "Kilby Girl", which can be attributed to their streaming success and growth.^[5] The latter song received radio airplay on stations like KKDO in Sacramento and the Sirius XM radio channel, Alt Nation.^[2] It peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Rock & Alternative Airplay chart in 2021.^[6] The band toured during 2019 in support of When We Were Friends.^[1][7]

The band also toured throughout 2021,^[2] including their first festival appearance at Lollapalooza in July of that year.^[8][9] In 2022, the band embarked on its North American "Turning Point" tour.^[10] Later in 2022, the group began releasing new singles, including "Growing/Dying",^[11] "Close Your Eyes", and "Slowing Down". Those songs appeared on the band's major label debut studio album, Waiting to Spill, which was released on October 28, 2022, via Capitol Records. According to frontman Josh Harmon, the album reflects the band’s personal and artistic growth, moving from the high school-driven angst of When We Were Friends to a more intimate and reflective sound that “had room for a much lower dynamic level.” ^[12] The Backseat Lovers also announced their Waiting to Spill Tour in the U.K. and Ireland which took place in the spring of 2023.^[13][14]

In 2024, lead vocalist Joshua Harmon released a self-titled album under the name 'deeper sleeper'.^[15] In an interview with Hashtag Magazine, Harmon confirmed he had returned to work on a third The Backseat Lovers album.^[16]