My Life Story

My Life Story became a pioneering force in the Britpop movement scoring 6 UK top 40 singles and a top 40 album inspiring the era's orchestral identity.

Combining playful lyrics with epic pop, MLS formed in Southend in 1984. By the early 90s, lead singer Jake Shillingford had grown the band into a flamboyant orchestral 11 piece with string and brass section. Their passionate, often chaotic live shows lead to Giles Martin (The Beatles) recording tracks for their debut album Mornington Crescent after discovering them at the Marquee.

Signed to Parlophone in 1996, the band released The Golden Mile which spawned most hit singles inc 12 Reasons Why I Love Her, Strumpet and Sparkle. Joined Up Talking followed on Andrew Lloyd Webber's It Records in 2000, featuring sixth hit single, It's A Girl Thing.

Many collaborations followed inc. Morrissey, The Pogues and Marc Almond. MLS performed Glastonbury Pyramid stage and Reading Festival 4 times. They supported Blur & Pulp and are one of the only bands to headline over Oasis.

By 2001 the band ceased all touring & recording. The 00s saw a number of sporadic celebratory reunion shows at Shepherds Bush Empire, however by 2016, Shillingford wished to tour more frequently, retiring the orchestral ensemble.

A two-year run of 90s nostalgia festival shows, featuring a streamlined, alt-rock line up, led to a boost in profile. This inspired an appetite for new music, spawning the fan funded album; World Citizen, released in 2019 to wide-ranging critical acclaim.

This year My Life Story will be releasing several singles followed by their yet untitled 5th album in February 2024 mixed by Ben Hillier (Depeche Mode, Nadine Shah).