A four-piece band from Ayr is hoping to help give Ayrshire’s alternative music scene a fresh spark after gaining new attention for its latest songs.
Hopes Avenue, formed by lead vocalist Dennis Coles, drummer Michael Harvey and guitarists Jamie McJannet and Will Phillips, have been developing their own blend of post-hardcore, metalcore and pop punk. The group said its newest material, including Lost in the Moment and Back to Me, had brought a surge of interest during the past month.
The musicians have also set their sights on releasing their debut album before the end of the year and playing more live shows into the new year.
From school friendships to Hopes Avenue
The band’s formation officially began in 2021, following the release of its debut EP, Drift. However, the members’ connections go back further. Dennis, Michael and Jamie were friends at school, while Will met Dennis at college before joining the group.
The name Hopes Avenue is linked to the band’s wider Ayrshire roots. Three of the members spent part of their childhood on Hopes Avenues in Dalmellington, and the street became the inspiration for the name after the group considered a number of alternatives.
“Everyone but Will stayed on the street Hopes Avenues in Dalmellington as kids.”
The band said it had previously performed with a different line-up, but wanted to start again with a new identity and sound after Michael joined.
“We had a band prior to Mick joining, but we wanted a fresh start with a new sound, so Hopes Avenue was born.”
Their influences include Bring Me the Horizon, A Day to Remember, Architects and The Amity Affliction. Hopes Avenue said its own music moves between heavier metalcore and softer material, with the members working to create a sound listeners will recognise.
Social media attention and relatable lyrics
Hopes Avenue began sharing clips of its music on TikTok and Instagram last year. The band said its most significant recent growth came after the release of Lost in the Moment and Back to Me.
Although social media has helped introduce the group to more listeners, the musicians said their main ambition is for the songs to connect emotionally. Their lyrics often focus on fractured relationships, a subject they believe can be understood by people who have experienced difficulties with friends, partners or family members.
“We hope people feel the emotion we put into our songs.”
The band said it writes lyrics that resonate with its own experiences and hopes that feeling carries through to the audience.
Hopes Avenue also wants to see more opportunities for emerging alternative artists in Ayrshire. The musicians believe the local live scene is improving but said it still needs time to develop fully.
“For our type of music there isn't a strong local live music scene for emerging artists.”
New music planned for Hopes Avenue
The group has credited Soundmagic Studio in Ayr with supporting its early development. The band used the studio for its first practices and writing sessions and described it as an important resource for musicians starting out.
Hopes Avenue said it is continuing to write new material and wants to maintain a steady release schedule rather than stop before the band has properly established itself.
“Most bands stop before they even get going but we love every minute of it and we feel we are getting better and better with each release.”
The response to the latest single has been one of the band’s proudest moments so far. Its next major target is the debut album, which the musicians hope to release before the end of the year.
Beyond the album, the band wants to keep reaching people who have not heard its music and hopes to secure more live dates in the new year.
Lost in the Moment is available on all major music streaming applications.