Nine Black Alps

Nine Black Alps, an English alternative rock band, was formed in 2003 in Manchester. The group initially consisted of vocalist-guitarist Sam Forrest and guitarist David Jones, along with other members who would later change over the years. Nine Black Alps took their name from "The Couriers" poem by Sylvia Plath. The band's energetic live performances quickly earned them a dedicated fanbase on the Manchester music scene. In 2004, they signed to Island Records and began touring extensively across the UK while recording their debut album with producer Rob Schnapf in Los Angeles. Nine Black Alps released their first single "Cosmopolitan" in October 2004, followed by their debut album Everything Is in June 2005. The album was well-received and included notable tracks such as "Shot Down" and "Unsatisfied". They supported major acts like Kaiser Chiefs and Weezer on tour and performed at prominent festivals including Glastonbury, T in the Park, V Festival, Reading and Leeds Festival, and South by Southwest. Their second album Love/Hate was released in October 2007, marking a shift as they parted ways with Island Records. The band continued to release albums independently and through various labels, including Sirens in October 2012 and Candy for the Clowns in May 2014. After a series of lineup changes and tours supporting other bands, Nine Black Alps quietly disbanded in 2017 following a few shows with The Cribs.