Haven

打着正宗英式搖滾(British Pop)旗幟的英國新秀樂隊層出不窮，緊追在Coldplay、Starsailor身後躍上台面的就是這組前程似錦的Haven。由Gary Briggs(主唱/吉他手)、Iwan Gronow(貝司手)、Jack Mitchell(鼓手)與Nat Wason(吉他手)共組的四人樂隊Haven成軍於1996年，在英格蘭西南方的Cornwall獨立樂圈打滾一段時日後，名團The Smiths的前經紀人Joe Moss發掘了他們並介紹給The Smiths的前超級吉他手Johnny Marr。1999年Haven遷移至曼徹斯特(Manchester)發展，開始在當地的音樂指針級俱樂部Night & Day駐場演出，同時還受邀與Johnny Marr的新樂團The Healers及Badly Drawn Boy同台飆技。簽約獨立廠牌Radiate後，Haven旋即在2001年初發行了首張迷你專輯(EP)Til The End，一出師便告捷，大受樂評青睞。接着是首支單曲”Beautiful Thing”與Johnny Marr監製的第二支單曲”Let It Live”陸續發行。終於，2002年的早春，Haven首張專輯大作Between The Senses在Johnny Marr的護航下誕生了。不但創下150,000張的銷售佳績，還意外順利地得到美國市場的熱烈迴響。   但Haven並非從此一帆風順。在第二張follow-up專輯的籌備期間，吉他手Nat Wason竟遭病魔襲擊導致顏面神經嚴重失調。等待Nat Wason歸隊的期間，Haven其它團員仍然和製作人Johnny Marr在錄音室中努力生產新專輯。終於2004年的另一個春天，Haven的第二張大作All For A Reason問世了。驚喜發現因病痛而有所新領悟的Nat Wason吉他彈奏更具生命力及情感。而Haven青春洋溢、正面積極的搖滾青年生活哲學，絕對是All For A Reason專輯十首曲子中最令人感動的聆聽經驗。   British indie foursome Haven actually formed in Cornwall in the southwest of England before relocating to Manchester in 1999. Having already attracted the attention of former Smiths manager Joe Moss, they subsequently received the patronage of the band's former guitarist, Johnny Marr, as well. Featuring vocalist Gary Briggs, guitarist Nat Wason, bassist Iwan Gronow, and drummer Jack Mitchell, Haven jokingly named themselves after a local holiday camp before realizing that the moniker was an accurate reflection of the solace their music provided them with. The four had been jamming and playing live in their native region before Moss discovered them. After moving north, the band began a residency at the city's famed Night & Day club, as well as supporting Marr's band the Healers and Badly Drawn Boy.   Signing to indie label Radiate, Haven released their debut EP, Til the End, in early 2001 to rave reviews. After more touring, the single "Beautiful Thing" emerged in July to further critical plaudits. Their second single, "Let It Live," was the first fruit of the Johnny Marr-produced recording sessions for their debut album. A debut full-length Between the Senses appeared in early 2002 as well as an American deal with Virgin. Stateside fans finally got a taste of Haven in October 2002 when Between the Senses was released in the U.S.