Cover Drive
| Cover Drive | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Barbados |
| Genres | Reggae, alternative rock, R&B, soca, hip hop, pop, reggae fusion, synthpop |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels |
Polydor (UK) 2010-13 Cherrytree (US) |
| Associated acts | Rihanna, Dappy, Far East Movement |
| Website | wearecoverdrive.com |
| Members |
Amanda Reifer T-Ray Armstrong Barry 'Bar-Man' Hill Jamar Harding |
Cover Drive are a four-piece band from Barbados consisting of Amanda Reifer, T-Ray Armstrong, Barry "Bar-Man" Hill and Jamar Harding. They have gained commercial success in the United Kingdom.
The band was signed by record label Global Talent, a division of Polydor Records. The band obtained one of its major breaks by performing as an opening act during Rihanna's Loud Tour.[1][2][3] [4] The band were featured in upcoming promotions by the Barbados Tourism Authority, an international tourist-marketing agency of the Barbados government.[5][6] The group released their debut album Bajan Style on 7 May 2012 in the United Kingdom peaking at number 14. "Lovesick Riddim" was announced as their lead single from their second studio album and was released on 23 September 2013.[7]
History
2010: Formation
The band formed in their native country Barbados.[8] The band consists of four members, Amanda; the lead singer; T-Ray, the Drum/Backing Vocals, Barry "Bar Man" Hill the Keyboardist/guitarist and Jamar, the bassist.[9] Amanda met T-Ray when she became his babysitter despite being only two years older, T-Ray was in the same year as Jamar at school although they did not attend the same school, Amanda met Bar-Man at college because they were in the same year.[10]
2011-12: Commercial success and Bajan Style
Cover Drive gained a lot of subscribers on YouTube with videos of them covering popular songs. In April 2011, the band signed a publishing deal with Sony and a recording deal with Polydor Records.[11] After the band was signed they began writing and recording material for their debut album. Whilst in the studio, they met American producer J. R. Rotem who produced their debut single, "Lick Ya Down" which was released on 28 August 2011. After receiving heavy airplay and support on both the Radio and Music channels in the United Kingdom, the song debuted and peaked #9 on the UK Singles Chart and #3 on the UK R&B Singles Chart.
They later released their second single "Twilight" on 22 January 2012, which was their first single to chart in Ireland debuting at #40.[12] The song peaked at #1 on the UK iTunes chart within hours of its release. The song was produced by Quiz & Larossi. On 29 January 2012, "Twilight" debuted at #1 on the charts in the United Kingdom for the week ending 4 February 2012. On 8 March 2012, they announced "Sparks" as the third single from the album.[13] Sparks was released on 29 April and debuted and peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. Their debut album, Bajan Style, was released on 7 May 2012 and debuted on the UK Album Chart at number 14.[14] The fourth release from Bajan Style, "Explode" was re-worked with vocals from former N-Dubz member, Dappy, it was released from the album on 26 August 2012, and it entered at 29 on the UK Singles Chart [15] They also featured on Far East Movement's "Turn Up the Love" which was released on 21 June 2012. It peaked at 13 on the UK Singles Chart. They toured with Kelly Clarkson on the UK & Ireland leg of her Stronger Tour.
2013-present: Second studio album
A lyric video for a song called "All My Love", was uploaded to the band's official YouTube channel on 14 February 2013. The music video was uploaded to YouTube on 1 March 2013 [16]
The band was featured in a May 2013 episode of the HGTV series House Hunters International as they searched Barbados for a house together as a band, preparing for their next album.[17]
A lyric video for their comeback a single called "Lovesick Riddim" was uploaded to the band's official YouTube channel on 7 August 2013. The music video was uploaded to Youtube on 10 August 2013.[18] An EP is due for release which is called "Limin' In Limbo". The EP is a taster of what is to come on their upcoming album.[19] The EP is due for release 28 October 2013.[20]
Members
- Karen Amanda Reifer – lead vocals (born 17 March 1991)
- Barry Hill – guitars/keytars (born 25 December 1988)
- Jamar Harding – bass guitar (born 31 May 1993)
- Thomas Ray Armstrong (T-Ray) – drums, percussion, backing vocals (born 9 August 1993)