Murray Matravers: Last News

Easy Life frontman Murray Matravers has spoken to NME about the upside of their legal battle with EasyGroup, current situation and plans for the future.Last year saw saw Easy Life play their final show under that name, having conceded defeat in a legal battle over the moniker against easyGroup (the brand owner of easyJet airlines) and that “sadly, it seems that justice is only available to those who can afford it” without “the funds to access a fair trial in the High Court.”Despite this, frontman Murray Matravers said that 2023 was “a good year in general” – as he told us at the recent Featured Artists Coalition AGM, supported by NME.“We had our first ever profitable festival season after six years of doing it, so we worked that out,” he told the NME-chaired panel. “We’re still here.

Hard Life – formerly known as Easy Life‘s – new single ‘Tears’ is “disparaging and defamatory”.The Leicester indie band announced that they would be surrendering their band name after being sued by the conglomerate in October and being described as “brand thieves”, thereby avoiding a costly legal battle they said they could not afford. They played a London farewell gig under that moniker (which saw the sold-out KOKO crowd lead chants of “fuck EasyJet“) and released a final single, ‘Trust Exercises’.Their comeback single ‘Tears’ addresses the legal battle – “It’s a hard life, I can’t lie,” frontman Murray Matravers sings, “it’s been a rush, in the hard times, lucky I got friends that I trust. It was easy in my 20s now I gotta lawyer up, gimme air miles or a fair trial Stelios.”EasyGroup’s lawyers have taken issue with the lyric referencing owner Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, labelling it “disparaging and defamatory” and claiming it is a breach of the settlement made with the band.

Hard-Fi have responded to Easy Life‘s announcement that they have changed their name to Hard Life.The indie group spearheaded by frontman Murray Matravers said they were embroiled in a legal battle with the company (who owns easyJet) in October last year, finally conceding defeat a month later.After playing their final gig as Easy Life in London, which saw the sold-out KOKO crowd chant “fuck easyJet” in protest, the band have just unveiled their new name as Hard Life yesterday (June 11).Now, Hard-Fi have responded to the news on social media. Quoting NME‘s own interview with Matravers about the name change today (June 12), they’ve responded in jest: “Er… lads….”In our interview with Matravers, NME jokingly asked what Hard Life might do should they be sued by Hard-Fi, to which he responded: “Oh god.

Easy Life have emerged from their legal battle with easyGroup under the new name of Hard Life with their comeback single ‘Tears’. Check it out below along with our interview with frontman Murray Matravers.Last year saw Easy Life play their final show under that name, having conceded defeat in a legal battle over the moniker against easyGroup (the brand owner of easyJet airlines) and that “sadly, it seems that justice is only available to those who can afford it” without “the funds to access a fair trial in the High Court”.

NME recently supported the Featured Artist Coalition’s 2023 End of Year Party and AGM at Walthamstow’s Signature Brew in London. Following on from 2021 and 2022, NME returned to support the event as well as chairing an artist-led ‘Year in Music’ panel discussion featuring Murray Matravers of the band formerly known as Easy Life, Sam Duckworth of Get Cape.

NME will return for a third year to support the Featured Artists Coalition’s annual AGM, with a panel of artists looking back on 2023 and what challenges and opportunities lie in the year ahead.The FAC’s 2023 End of Year Party and AGM, in association with PPL, will take place at Signature Brew in Walthamstow on Wednesday, November 29. Following on from 2021 and 2022, NME will return to support the event with News Editor Andrew Trendell leading an artist-led ‘Year in Music’ panel discussion featuring FAC board member Joff Oddie of Wolf Alice, Murray Matravers of the band formerly known as Easy Life, LVRA and Cherise.LVRA and Cherise have both been recipients of the FAC’s Step Up Fund powered by Amazon Music, while TBFKA easy life will be recognised for their outspoken advocacy at the upcoming Artist & Manager Awards last night (November 23).The FAC’s Artist in Residence, Blur drummer Dave Rowntree will also deliver an opening statement.Much of the event will focus on the major issues that the FAC continues to tackle, such as streaming reform, the application of AI in music, the 100 Per Cent Venues campaign to end punitive commissions on merchandise sales, and the #LetTheMusicMove campaign to encourage friction-free international touring.“With 2023 coming to a close, I’m really proud of what the FAC team has accomplished, and particularly our campaigning work with 100 Per Cent Venues, #LetTheMusicMove and continuing push to reform the economics of streaming,” said FAC CEO David Martin.“Our end of year party is a perfect opportunity to hear the views and perspectives of artists on all these issues, to find out about the work we do, and for our community to come together in unison.

Easy Life‘s last gig under their current band name in London tonight (October 13) following a legal battle with the airline’s licensing company EasyGroup.The band performed their sold-out farewell show at London’s KOKO today, following a goodbye date at the O2 Academy in their Leicester hometown last night (October 12).Both shows were performed in light of the recent legal action the members faced from EasyGroup over their band name.Frontman Murray Matravers told the London crowd that they hadn’t quite worked out what to say at the farewell shows, which was met by supportive cheers from fans before an impassioned chant of “fuck EasyJet” erupted.Matravers quipped in response: “Your words, not mine.

Easy Life have shared a new single called ‘Trust Exercises’ – their last release under their current band name. Check it out below.Shared this morning (October 13), the track is available now via Island Records and marks the final part of new music that the Leicester five-piece will release under the name Easy Life.It also arrives ahead of their sold-out farewell show at London’s Koko venue later this evening, following a goodbye date at the O2 Academy in their Leicester hometown last night (October 12).

Easy Life have announced that they will be releasing their final single ‘Trust Exercises’ under their current band name after losing the EasyGroup battle.The band – comprised of Murray Matravers, Oliver Cassidy, Sam Hewitt, Lewis Berry and Jordan Birtles, took to their official Instagram page and posted a snippet of what will be their final track as a band under the name Easy Life. It is set to release this Friday, October 13.“‘Trust Exercises’.

Indie band Easy Life have revealed they have been told to change their name by easyGroup - the largest investor of popular airline easyJet.

Easy Life have said that EasyJet are suing them because their names are apparently too similar.The band shared a statement to their social media accounts, in which they claimed the airline was “forcing” them to change their name or they risked facing a costly legal battle.“okay… never imagined having to do this but we’ve no choice but to address the situation we find ourselves in,” they began. “as some of you have already discovered, we are being sued, easy jet are suing us for being called easy life.“they’re forcing us to change our name or take up a costly legal battle which we could never afford.

Easy Life‘s Murray Matravers has reflected on the band’s rapid rise so far and their definitions of success.Speaking to NME at Reading Festival 2023 this weekend, the frontman looked back on what the band have achieved in recent years – including performances on much bigger stages and a rapidly growing fan base – and said they’ve been asking themselves what success looks like.“If you had of asked me two or three years ago, I would have said, ‘Huge gigs and international critical acclaim and being famous’. But I think, now, it’s definitely not that, and I don’t want that.”He added that “if you’re happy in what you do, then you’ve smashed it”, and that “if you’re enjoying it, and you’re healthy, and you’re healthy in your mind as well, that for me is success.

New Order have backed the #LetTheMusicMove campaign against proposed changes to US visa rules that would impact touring artists.Last month saw the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announce that it was planning to raise touring visa fees for foreign acts by more than 250 per cent.The DHS said in its proposal that applications for a P visa, which is for acts arriving in the states to perform temporarily, would increase from the current rate of $460 (£375.23) to $1,615 (£1,317). Meanwhile, the longer-term O work visa would jump from $460 (£375.23) to $1,655 (£1,349).Numerous musicians have since spoken out against the plans, saying that it would be “a huge hardship to pay such high visa fees”.

NME about the “crippling” damage that will be done to international touring if a 260 per cent price hike for US visas is allowed to go through – and encouraged music fans to have their say and help stop it.Earlier this month, it was revealed that the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was planning to raise touring visa fees for foreign acts by more than 250 per cent – laying out that the cost of acts arriving in the US to perform temporarily, would increase from the current rate of $460 (£375.23) to $1,615 (£1,317), with a longer term work visa jumping from $460 (£375.23) to $1,655 (£1,349).The news was met with widespread uproar from the international music scene – with the new measures proving preventative for both new and established artists – and now more have come forward to call for action. This could also lead to an increase in the cost of gigs and tickets for international acts playing in the US.Music fans and industry workers have until March 6 to oppose the move on the Federal Register website here, with those in the industry also invited to fill in this survey from the Featured Artists Coalition.This month also saw Leicester band Easy Life scrap their upcoming US tour due to “some insane costs“.

Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott enjoy a second Number 1 album as a duo with their fifth studio record N.K-Pop. 

Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott enjoy a second Number 1 album as a duo with their fifth studio record N.K-Pop. 

easy life is the latest band to take part in DHL’s FAST-TRACK programme, where fans can win the chance to see the band live at Abbey Road Studios, London.DHL FAST-TRACK connects music fans across the world with their favourite artists while spotlighting exceptional new talent and fast-tracking their rise to global stardom.Ahead of the release of their upcoming second album, ‘MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE…’, easy life has teamed up with the series to offer fans a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Taking over Studio Two at the iconic Abbey Roads Studios on the day of the album’s release, Friday, October 7, fans will experience an immersive visual world inspired by the new album, as well as a live performance from the band.One lucky winner will win the Dream House model and attendance to the event with a +1, and 14 runners-up will receive an invite to the event with a +1.“We’re so excited to be part of DHL FAST-TRACK, the collaboration allows us to get closer to our fans and share our music across the world,” said easy life frontman Murray Matravers.

Easy Life have shared a new single called ‘Antifreeze’ – you can listen to it below.The song serves as the latest preview of the Leicester band’s second studio album ‘Maybe In Another Life’, which is due for release on October 7 via Island (pre-order/pre-save here).‘Antifreeze’ was written during the COVID lockdown by frontman Murray Matravers and US bedroom pop artist Gus Dapperton.“[I’ve] been meaning to write a song with [Dapperton] since we met,” Easy Life wrote on social media upon the track premiering as BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record last night (September 14).“It’s inspired by the winter and all its icy emotions. We shot the video together on the coldest day I can remember.

Easy Life have announced that their album release date has been delayed by months. The band shared a post on Instagram today (July 21) explaining the pushed-back release date to fans.The Leicester band had previously said that their upcoming second album ‘Maybe In Another Life’, would be due out next month.“The look on your face when our album moves back” they shared in the post.

Easy Life have shared a new single called ‘OTT’ featuring New Zealand singer BENEE – watch its official video below.The track is the latest preview of the Leicester band’s upcoming second album ‘Maybe In Another Life’, which is due out next month.Of the new song, frontman Murray Matravers said: “Like most things easy life,” comments Murray, “there is still that element of optimism: that perhaps with enough care and attention, something can be done. BENEE crushed it – her voice is like water and she’s a real queen of melody.”BENEE added: “so stoked to have worked with the easy life boys on this, such a wicked bunch of humanssss!!! Hope u guys love the song, its all summery and I’m a sucker for melancholic lyrics sooooo!”Watch ‘OTT’ below.Last month, the band shared a new collaboration, ‘Dear Miss Holloway’, featuring former Brockhampton member Kevin Abstract.Discussing their collaboration with Abstract and him joining them on stage at Glastonbury 2022, Matravers said: “He’s just a very inspiring dude; I was lucky enough to meet him when we were last in LA.“We thought it would be amazing to bring him out, so we flew him in and bless him, he forgot every single word.

Glastonbury, Easy Life have talked about their experience of stepping up to play the Pyramid Stage, and of working with Kevin Abstract.Immediately after their set, singer Murray Matravers, drummer Ollie Cassidy and guitarist Lewis Berry told NME that they had been feeling quite nervous, and that the adrenaline was still flowing.“This is probably the worst time to speak to us, because I genuinely think we’re all still speechless,” Berry laughed. “For the first time ever, we’re all just like, aaay!”Taking to the Pyramid at 2.30pm, 2022 marked the Leicester group’s second appearance at Glastonbury, and a significant step up from their 2019 headline slot on the BBC Introducing Stage.