Carlito

Thanks to Stephanie Nieuwenhuyse for the photographs

looking for a bit of guitar driven post-punk pop? Well then I've got just the band for you as Carlito have just released a track 'Sandcastles' that delivers exactly that. Formed in Kingston upon Thames in 2011, Carlito are singer - Jack Dodd, guitarist - Tommy Cruickshanks, bassist - Laurence Stevens, drummer - Pearl Mabarutse, and keys player - Juan Carlos Vasquez.

Cousins Jack Dodd and Laurence Stevens moved to London to start a band and in a night club queue they met guitarist Tommy Cruickshanks. Impressed at first by his dress sense, they immediately bonded over a mutual dislike of doormen and steep entry fees, whilst also finding a common passion for the Stones (Roses and Rolling) and 60’s jangly-guitar pop. Before long, a jam including drummer Pearl Mabarutse was organised.



In two years of relentless gigging, Carlito have built up a steady fan base and a reputation for combining raw sounding indie-rock with high energy shows. The band have since attracted management, sponsorship with mod clothing company Merc, support with Palma Violets and a headline slot at the infamous Discovery night in Kensington - known for its broad alumni of previous acts such as Ed Sheeran, Sandi Thom and Scouting for Girls. 





With keyboardist Juan Carlos Vasquez now on board, the music has become richer, more layered and intricate. The band has recently released two new tracks (the aforementioned 'Sandcastles and the slightly punkier 'Dreams' which have been greatly received. 

As they're very much a live band don't miss the special headline homecoming gig for Oxjam on the 19th October.