History
Lonely the Brave formed in Cambridge, England, in 2008 after the individual band members prior local bands had disbanded. They already knew one another through Cambridge's local music scene. [4]
Around 2010, they released their self-funded EP, Backroads, and began building a following through live shows. In 2013, they signed to Hassle Records and began preparing their debut album. [4]
The Day's War and Things Will Matter
Their debut album, The Day’s War, was released on 16 September 2014 and reached the UK Top 20. It was originally scheduled for 2 June 2014, but the release was delayed after the band signed an international deal with Columbia Records. [5]
In early 2014 Ross Smithwick joined as a second guitarist. Joel Mason had briefly filled the additional guitar role before leaving to pursue solo projects. [6]
They recorded and released their second album, Things Will Matter, in 2016 through Hassle Records. [7]
After signing to Columbia Records, the band were dropped by the label while preparing their follow-up. That frustration found its way into the music. Trotter said there was an element of “OK, f*** it” in the record, and that listeners could hear their anger in certain tracks. [7]
In a 2016 interview with Varsity, Trotter explained that the band had changed considerably as people and musicians. Two members had become fathers, and they were more experienced in the music industry. Smithwick's arrival also altered the songwriting process. Some songs dated back to shortly after the first album had been completed, while others were finished just before recording. His contributions helped push the music in new directions. The result was a record that retained the band's huge choruses and atmospheric guitars but had a heavier, more layered sound. [8]
The Redux version: In 2017, they reworked the album with more electronic textures and alternative arrangements. [7]
David Jakes Departure
On 11 March 2018 the band announced, in a heartfelt email to fans, that David Jakes would be leaving for mental health reasons. David included a letter to fans within the statement;
"I’m writing this with the news that I’ve decided to call it a day with Lonely The Brave.
I’m afraid the problems I’ve been having, with touring and playing live, have made things really difficult concerning my mental health side of things. Sorry I couldn’t push on through it.
To the LTB boys… Thank you fellas for the amazing time I had with you! All the very best with the band going forward. It was a helluva ride. Thanks Wez, James and Mease.
Most of all thank you to everyone I saw at the gigs and spent their money on the music I was part of. It meant so much!"
In his new Kerrang! interview, published on 27 October 2026, Trotter reflected on the years leading up to Jakes's departure: “Looking back on that period now, we were all pretty f***ed.” He explained that Dave had been the one brave enough to recognise that things weren't working for him and step away. Trotter said he had nothing but respect for that decision. [9]
The Hope List & What We Do We Feel
In August 2018, Jack Bennett joined the band to fill his lead vocal role. [10] In April 2020 the band released their first material with Bennett on Easy Life Records: the single “Bound” was premiered on BBC Radio 1. [11]
Their third album, The Hope List, was released on 22 January 2021 and reached the number 73 in the UK charts. After Jakes left in 2018, the band spent roughly two years finding their feet with Bennett before releasing the album. The album was made in spare time around jobs and family commitments. Some members were NHS key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. [12]
Their second and final album with Jack Bennett, What We Do We Feel, was released on 10 November 2023. By this point, the band were more comfortable with Bennett and increasingly willing to push beyond their established sound. [13]
Reunion
Bennett said on 24 January 2026 that he is no longer with the band. The band announced on 20 July 2026 on their Instagram page that David Jakes had rejoined the band as lead singer, and they would start touring in November 2026. [9]
The band released their new single ‘So Nearly’, in October 2026, their first with original singer Dave Jakes in over 10 years. They also announced a full UK tour follow next year. [14]
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