Originally formed in Newcastle and now based in Leeds, Split The Ticket have released their third single, ‘Lying To Yourself’. However, this marks the first release written and recorded by their new and current lineup: brothers Oisin and Finn Caffery, alongside drummer Ellis Barker.
First performing live in 2024, the trio have quickly built a strong reputation across the Northern music scene, amassing an impressive portfolio of shows across the UK. This includes a recent release show for Lying To Yourself at London’s iconic Elephant’s Head.
Produced by Presley Bayley and Milo Jacobs, both of Leeds-based band Twinsize, the track is heavily reminiscent of ’90s shoegaze, with thick, chorusy, reverbed guitars – think The Smashing Pumpkins and My Bloody Valentine – while incorporating elements of modern indie influenced by the surrounding Leeds music scene.
From the opening moments, Lying To Yourself is packed with dreamy, intertwining guitar lines. A shimmering, chorused guitar part echoes throughout the track, establishing its foundation alongside a steady bass groove. When the chorus arrives, the song hits like a wall of sound, bringing to mind the heavier side of ’90s grunge and shoegaze. The band have previously cited Slowdive as an influence, and that influence is particularly noticeable here, although Split The Ticket give the sound their own modern twist. Oisin Caffery’s vocals sit just above the dense instrumental mix, keeping the focus on the emotion in his voice.
Towards the end, the song opens into an extended instrumental breakdown, giving each member and instrument their spotlight moment, with strong drum fills, guitar lines and the track’s heavy bass groove hold everything together. The track is scattered with shimmery guitar melodies and reverbed pinch harmonics panned around, further adding depth to the production.
This was one of my favourite aspects of the track. The production feels raw enough to retain the energy of a live band but polished enough that nothing feels underdeveloped.
With Split The Ticket’s first-ever headline tour kicking off in November, the band will be taking their new track across the country, with dates ranging from London to North Shields. I’d say now is the time to catch them before they break through – their blend of shoegaze, grunge and modern indie should appeal to fans of the newer, grungier wave of alternative music, particularly artists such as Keo, Wunderhorse and Bleech 9:3. All tickets here
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