Fusing epic shoegaze textures with melodic alt-rock and dream pop, Northern Irish quintet Wynona Bleach were formed in Belfast in late 2012. Under the name R51, the initial quartet of singer Melyssa Shannon, guitarist Jonny Woods, bassist Anton Hughes, and drummer Matt Killen issued their debut single "Boxkite" in 2013, adding fifth member, guitarist Aaron Black, before following up with 2014's "Slowhound." Thanks to some BBC support, the band began making the festival rounds, appearing at Leeds and Reading festivals in 2015 in support of their Pillow Talk EP. Remaining staunchly independent, R51 continued to build success on their own terms, self-releasing 2016's No Chill EP and the 2017 single "Heavy Friends," which was followed by a headlining tour of Russia. In January of 2018, the group announced that they would begin working under the name Wynona Bleach and issued "Eyes Burning," their first single under that name. ~ Timothy Monger