London’s fast-rising alternative outfit Cusk have unveiled their compelling new single Dooms Banjo, while simultaneously announcing details of their self-titled debut EP, due for release on 14th August.
The new track follows the band’s acclaimed debut single Blu tac piano, further showcasing the unique chemistry between founding members Esmé Creed-Miles and Evie Hilyer-Ziegler. Blending intimate songwriting with brooding alternative rock textures, Dooms Banjo continues to establish Cusk as one of the capital’s most intriguing emerging acts.
Cusk
Built around haunting vocal harmonies, rich string arrangements and understated yet emotionally charged instrumentation, Dooms Banjo captures the duo’s ability to balance vulnerability with intensity. The song leans into the atmospheric sound that has quickly become Cusk’s signature, with moments of quiet reflection giving way to soaring emotional peaks.
Alongside the new single comes the announcement of Cusk, the band’s debut EP, which will be available digitally and on limited-edition 12-inch vinyl. The five-track collection promises to offer a fuller introduction to the band’s distinctive sound, combining alternative rock, folk influences and cinematic arrangements.
Cusk first came together after Creed-Miles and Hilyer-Ziegler met during an improvisation night at East London’s Shacklewell Arms, quickly discovering a shared creative instinct rooted in experimentation and emotional honesty. Their songwriting often begins as fragments—voice notes, poems or melodies—before evolving organically through collaboration.
That intuitive approach has helped the pair carve out a sound that feels both deeply personal and refreshingly unpredictable. Hilyer-Ziegler’s melodic string work and ethereal vocals intertwine with Creed-Miles’ loose guitar playing and introspective lyricism, creating songs that shift effortlessly between delicate intimacy and cathartic release.
Although still in the early stages of their career, Cusk have already built a growing reputation on London’s live circuit. Following early appearances at venues including The Windmill in Brixton, they’ve gone on to support artists such as DIIV, Geordie Greep and Tiberius B, steadily developing a loyal following through a series of captivating performances.
The forthcoming EP also marks the second release on The Bird Records, the independent label founded by Charlie Wayne of Black Country, New Road and Mita De, highlighting the confidence already being placed in the band’s future.
To celebrate the release, Cusk will perform their first-ever headline show later this summer. Taking place at the venue where the project first began, the performance will see the duo expand into a full-band line-up for the occasion.
With Dooms Banjo offering another striking glimpse into their evolving sound and a debut EP now on the horizon, Cusk look poised to become one of the UK’s most exciting new alternative acts to watch throughout 2026.
UK Live Date:
AUGUST
27th – London, The Shacklewell Arms
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