CUSK

Cusk might still be at the beginning of their journey, but they're already building the sort of reputation that usually takes years. The London-based alt-rock duo of Esmé Creed-Miles and Evie Hilyer-Ziegler have quietly become one of the names bubbling beneath the surface of the UK's grassroots scene, drawing audiences in with songs that feel both intimate and immense.

The pair first crossed paths during an improvisation night at London's Shacklewell Arms, discovering an immediate musical chemistry that has since become the foundation of their sound. Esmé brings rhythm guitar, uncompromising lyricism and a vocal delivery that feels as though every word has been lived before it's sung, while Evie layers melodic strings and beautifully restrained harmonies that drift through the songs before giving way to bursts of distorted guitars and emotional release.

Trying to pin Cusk down to a single genre feels like missing the point. Their music wanders comfortably between folk-inspired melancholy and alternative rock, balancing delicate, atmospheric passages with moments of raw power. You can hear echoes of PJ Harvey's fearless intensity, Bright Eyes' emotional honesty and Modest Mouse's restless unpredictability, yet the result never feels like imitation. It carries its own identity, one built on vulnerability rather than volume alone.

Their debut single, Blu Tac Piano, announced that arrival with confidence. Produced alongside Jorge Elbrecht and released in April 2026 through The Bird, the new label founded by Charlie Wayne of Black Country, New Road and Mita De, the track immediately caught the attention of those keeping a close eye on emerging British music.

That momentum hasn't stayed in the studio. Since making their live debut at Brixton's legendary Windmill, Cusk have steadily earned their stripes on stage, sharing bills with acts including The Murder Capital, DIIV and Geordie Greep. Those are impressive names to sit alongside for a band still in its infancy, and they reflect just how highly regarded the duo have become among promoters and fellow musicians alike.

If you're looking to discover a band before they inevitably outgrow the smaller venues, this feels like one of those moments. Cusk return to where it all began when they play the Shacklewell Arms in London on 27th August at 7.30pm, and judging by the pace of their rise, those intimate opportunities may not be around for much longer.