The Beths

The Beths are an indie pop band from Auckland Central. Consisting of Elizabeth "Liz" Stokes (vocals, guitar), Jonathan Pearce (guitar, backing vocals) and Benjamin Sinclair (bass, backing vocals).

Pre-formation
Stokes and Pearce originally met in high school, and met both Sinclair and Luketina-Johnston when all four attended classes at the University of Auckland, studying jazz.undefined Prior to The Beths, Luketina-Johnston was performing swing under the moniker of Sal Valentine. Stokes, Pearce and Sinclair were all a part of his backing band, The Babyshakes, for various tenures.undefined

Formation (2015)
The Beths were formed in early 2015, after Stokes turned 23 and realised she wanted to play in a guitar band.undefined After recording a demo version of "Whatever", the band released their first single "Idea/Intent" via Soundcloud in July of that year.undefined

Warm Blood (2016)
In March 2016, the band independently released their debut EP, Warm Blood. The EP spawned a single, "Whatever," which was released with an accompanying music video in May 2016.undefined

Future Me Hates Me & Luketina-Johnston's departure (2017-2018)
A new single, "Great No One," was released in October 2017.undefined The song was the first to be lifted from the band's debut album, Future Me Hates Me. Prior to the album's release, the bands announced their signing to Carpark Records in the US (who also reissued Warm Blood internationally)undefined and to Dew Process in Australiaundefined. The album was released globally on the 10th of August. The title track was nominated as one of five finalists for the 2018 Silver Scroll award in New Zealandundefined, but lost to Marlon Williamsundefined. The album received press worldwide, with articles from Rolling Stone,undefined and a 7.9/10 review from Pitchfork.undefined

In 2018, Luketina-Johnston permanently departed from the band to focus on Sal Valentine.

Worldwide success & Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (2018-Present)
In November 2018, the band announced the forthcoming release of a new seven-inch, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. The vinyl features the band's cover of the traditional title track, as well as a demo version of their song "Happy Unhappy".undefined

The band was featured in many publications' end-of-year lists. Rolling Stone named Future Me Hates Me the 20th best album of 2018,undefined with NPR placing the album as the 41st bestundefined and choosing "Little Death" as the 22nd best song of 2018.undefined Paste Magazine named The Beths the best new band of 2018.undefined

In 2019, the band will undertake a tour of the UK and Europe supporting Death Cab for Cutie,undefined as well as an Australian tour supporting The Smith Street Band.undefined The band is set to play at Splore's 20 year anniversary,undefined as well as SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, USA.undefined

Current members

 * Elizabeth "Liz" Stokes - vocals, rhythm guitar (2015-Present)
 * Jonathan Pearce - lead guitar (2015-Present)
 * Benjamin Sinclair - bass guitar (2015-Present)

Touring members

 * Katie Everingham - drums (2018-Present)

Past members

 * Ivan Luketina-Johnston - drums (2015-2018)

Albums

 * Future Me Hates Me (2018) - Carpark Records, Dew Process

EPs

 * Warm Blood (2016) - Self-released, Carpark Records, Dew Process

Singles

 * Idea/Intent (2015)
 * Whatever (2016)
 * Lying in the Sun (2016)
 * Great No One (2017)
 * Future Me Hates Me (2018)
 * Happy Unhappy (2018)
 * You Wouldn't Like Me (2018)
 * Little Death (2018)
 * Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (2018)

Other appearances

 * "Mississippi Moonshine Girls" - Waiting for Your Love: A Tribute to the Reduction Agents (2016)undefined

Links

 * Facebook
 * Instagram
 * Twitter
 * Bandcamp
 * Spotify
 * Apple Music/iTunes
 * Soundcloud