HIGH AS I’LL EVER BE: Reiss Pinder hits the heights on his new EP, Everything Twice
Independent singer-songwriter and guitarist, Reiss Pinder (Image: Robert Linden)
A Bohemic Edge: Reiss Pinder
Reiss Pinder is an emerging independent UK song-writer and guitarist, based in the Midlands, who has just released his debut EP, Everything Twice.
With influences emanating from musical titans such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Shane MacGowan and John Lennon, Reiss Pinder inhabits an impressive musical world.
Channelling these influences into Americana, Folk and Country sonic territories, an overlay of poetic, thought provoking lyrics adds a Bohemic edge to Pinder’s output.
Pinder had an early musical start, learning guitar when 10 years old and playing live gigs by the time he was 13. He played with several local bands early on, including Coventry-based band Hek and the group Wilde.
2022 saw him launch a solo career, releasing single, California and Time After Time (Narrowboat sessions), before the current EP release.
Everything Twice EP
Reiss Pinder, Everything Twice EP Artwork (Image: Robert Linden)
Everything Twice
Title track Everything Twice kicks off the EP strongly. It’s strummed guitar plus harmonica infused opening sets the scene for an intensely delivered vocal, which recalls Mike Scott and the Waterboys in its searing grandeur throughout the track.
The music itself builds gradually as the song develops and majestically inhabits its 5 minute running time with the poetry of its lyrics referencing Dylan as well as the aforementioned Scott.
“Her tombs and her vestibules corrode with the music. Ornately she stands as no woman but as a church. She walks on magazines and communizes love as if it’s hers to give.”
By the time Pinder sings “I’m not Leonard Cohen, I’m not John, I’m not Paul. Picture Joan of Arc at the gates, siege what’s mine as you please“ the song’s insistent groove is firmly embedded, as it reaches its extended conclusion—harmonica kicking back in, as repeated vocals and bop-bop-bop-bop-aah-aah-aah harmonies draw things to a wonderfully ornate finish.
Started Over Again
Stripping things back musically, primarily acoustic guitar, with some adornishments of harmonica, the EP’s second song tastefully colours its sparser canvas, as Pinder confronts his demons.
“If my roll lands on red, know I’ll bet on black instead, I hope God loves men who try.”
Echoes of the much loved but recently departed Glen Hansard reverberate and swirl powerfully around the track, which is also complemented with some Springsteen-esque harmonica playing as the song unfolds.
Think Jeff Tweedy at his most confessional, as Pinder, voice straining at times, pours himself into starting over again (“as the ink followed through I already knew, that I’d rewrite it again”).
By Your Side
Originally released as a standalone single, By Your Side sparkles like a real jewel in the crown of the EP.
Again, the song’s textured and articulate lyrics are as cutting as the sharp musical delivery as the piano accompaniment begins to expand the cinematic vista the song occupies.
The rhythmic machine gun vocal-delivery channels its inner-Dylan as the song lifts from its mid-song lush instrumentation solo which is beautifully embellished by mandolin, as it weaves and propels its way to a powerful finale.
“He who rests by Peter’s gates and let salvation drift away. My Holy Spirit stole my beer and now I’m drinking hers, it’s all I am, and all I want is by your side. ”
It’s a thrilling component of the EP’s oeuvre, Pinder absorbing his influences whilst creating a fresh angle to frame his angst.
Everything Twice (unplugged)
Somewhat in keeping with its title, the song makes a second appearance, this time in unplugged format.
Stripping some of the sheen away to leave just acoustic guitar and harmonica, the taut lyrics breathe further and if anything the power of the song increases as Pinder snarls with the intensity of Conor Oberst in his Bright Eyes finest moments.
Still ending with the uplifting vocal coda, it succinctly draws a fitting line under what is an impressively textured, well produced and played, poetic EP.
In the Groove: The Run Off
Reiss Pinder (Image: Robert Linden)
As he sings on Everything Twice, he may not be Leonard Cohen, or John or Paul, but Reiss Pinder is definitely his own man and has crafted an exquisite and mature EP which builds on all of the influences noted, whilst carving out its own niche.
It is available on all of the usual streaming channels or you can listen to it on the link below:
Reiss Pinder will be playing live to promote the release with forthcoming tour dates as follows:
24/08/2026 – Greystones, Sheffield
29/08/2026 – Crownfest, Coventry
01/09/2026 – Riff Corner, Clevedon
More TBA, check out Reiss Pinder on Instagram for further announcements!
EP Credits
Songwriting: All songs, lyrics, and music written by Reiss Pinder.
Musicians:
Everything Twice: Reiss Pinder (Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica), Paul Sampson (Mandolin, Bass Guitar, Drums/Percussion)
Started Over Again: Reiss Pinder (Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica)
By Your Side: Reiss Pinder (Vocals, Guitars, Piano, Mandolin)
Everything Twice (unplugged): Reiss Pinder (Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica)
Production: Produced by Paul Sampson (except "By Your Side" produced by Kurt Sidwell).
Label: Released through Love+Madness (Independent Record Label).
