Candidate

Candidate are one of those rare cult bands that seem to exist just beneath the surface—revered by those who know, quietly influential, and consistently brilliant. Formed in the late 1990s by brothers Joel and Alex Morris, with producer and bassist Ian Painter, Candidate create lush, psychedelic folk-rock full of effortless melodies, lyrical sharpness, and a haunting sense of place. Their sound has drawn comparisons to The Beta Band, The Go-Betweens, Julian Cope, CSNY, XTC, and REM—an eclectic mix that hints at their range without fully capturing their singular identity.

Long championed by comedian and critic Stewart Lee, who called them “one of Britain’s greatest psychedelic bands,” Candidate have maintained a fiercely independent path while gathering critical acclaim. They’ve received album of the year nods from the Sunday Times, Rolling Stone, and BBC Radio 2, and earned high praise from the likes of Mojo and Q Magazine. Stuart Maconie declared them “one of the best bands in Britain.”

Their 2003 album Nuada, an alternative soundtrack to the cult folk-horror film The Wicker Man, remains a standout in their discography. Featuring the legendary Bert Jansch on guitar, the record reimagines the eerie mysticism of the original film through Candidate’s own folk-psychedelic lens. The band were later invited to perform as the fictional village band at the film’s 50th anniversary celebration, held on location, where fans and locals gathered for a ritual burning.

Beyond their musical output, the Morris brothers are also known for their work in comedy writing (The Framley Examiner, Bollocks to Alton Towers), which lends their lyrics a unique combination of wit, warmth, and narrative depth.

Their most recent album Point Clear is perhaps their richest and most confident to date—a shimmering, estuary-tinged collection that blends lo-fi Americana with the earthy thrum of classic British folk. It’s a reminder that Candidate remain one of the UK’s most thoughtful and quietly visionary bands: under the radar, but always worth tuning into.

Source: The Harrison website