Artio are an English alternative rock band from Leeds, West Yorkshire, formed in 2018. The group consists of vocalist Rae Brazill, guitarist Rob Arkle, guitarist Jai Akhurst, and drummer Ieuan Jones. Known for their blend of alt-rock, electronic, and nu-metal elements, the band is self-produced and has released one studio album, Babyface (2024), along with several EPs...[1]
Artio was founded in 2018 by vocalist Rae Brazill and drummer Ieuan Jones, who met through Leeds’ local music scene. In 2019, guitarist Rob Arkle joined the lineup. The band's debut single, "All Things End," was released on 5 June 2020, followed by "Hell’s Door" in September that year. These tracks were later featured on their debut EP Stand Alone and Do Your Dance, released on 18 September 2020.
In 2021, the band issued a two-part EP series: Shapeshifter: As Above (June) and Shapeshifter: So Below (November), further developing their blend of rock and electronic textures.
Later that year, Artio connected with guitarist Jai Akhurst, who began playing as a session member before joining permanently in October 2022.
The band signed to Slam Dunk Records in 2022 and released their EP Pyrokid in 2023, which included the singles "Pyrokid" and "Product of My Own Design.[2]" which the band performed live on BBC Introducing in March 2023[3]
2024: Babyface and touring
Between July 2023 and January 2024, Artio released four singles from their debut album Babyface, earning more radio play on BBC Introducing.[4][5] Each single was accompanied by a music video as part of a conceptual narrative. The lead single, "Sertraline" (featuring STRAIGHT GIRL),[6] introduced recurring fictional characters such as Babyface, March, and Lycoris. Additional singles included "Wallflower,"[7] "Head in the Sand, Finger on the Trigger" (featuring FLASCH),[8] and the title track, "Babyface."[9]
Artio featured in the Kerrang article The Sound Of 2025: The new artists breaking the boundaries of alternative music[17] and in early 2025 toured the UK and mainland Europe with Vukovi and Unpeople, playing high-profile venues such as the O2 Forum Kentish Town[18] and O2 Ritz Manchester.[19]
On 18 April 2025, Artio featured on the track "Turn Back to Me"[20] by As It Is, part of the reissue Never Happy, Ever After X.
In May 2025, the band released "Split Soul"[21] as a standalone single, accompanied by a music and behind-the-scenes footage.[22] The track featuring as Alyx Holcombe's Track of the Week on BBC Introducing Rock[23] and is set to feature in the soundtrack of the upcoming video game Carnival Bizarre, developed by Studio Kryptid[24]
On 18 May 2025, the band announced their signing to Lab Records. The following day, they were featured on Blurryface Reborn, a tribute album to Twenty One Pilots' Blurryface[25] issued by Rocksound. Artio's contribution was a cover of "Hometown," which incorporated ambient field recordings from Leeds[26]
In the summer of 2025, Artio appeared at The Great Escape Festival,[27][28] Radar Festival,[29][30] Rock for People[31] Download Festival[32][33] and appeared on the BBC Introducing stage at Reading and Leeds Festival[34][35]
On 25 August 2025 Artio announced they had re-recorded and remastered their first three EP's and released these as new album entitled Shapshifted via LAB records
Musical style and themes
Artio's music blends elements of alternative rock, electronic music, and nu-metal. Their lyrics often explore themes such as identity,[36][37] emotional and personal challenges of growth and change,[38] recovering from trauma[39] and queer rage.[1] The band is known for creating conceptual and multimedia projects, notably "The Babyface Saga," which includes a comic book released alongside their 2024 album.
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