The Rills: Artist Introduction
- Gigi Grisoli
- May 27
- 4 min read
Gigi Grisoli | May 2026
Over the last few years, bands have made a resurgence. We struggle to see many of them in the mainstream, but they are slowly making a comeback.
More and more people are looking for this kind of music, but it can be hard to find those special bands. A lot of them are practically in the shadows with how the music industry is built these days. But, with the right spotlight, they can be the next big thing, and a band that has that potential is The Rills.
Like many emerging artists, The Rills come from the UK. They’re London-based, but have a history around the country. Lead vocalist and guitarist, Mitch Spencer, and bassist, Callum Warner-Webb, first met in Lincoln at the age of 13.
However, it took them a few years to actually start playing together: at the age of 19, they moved to Sheffield, influenced by one of their inspirations, Arctic Monkeys.
They met drummer Mason Cassar soon after they went back home for university, and, being from Essex, he brought a South Coast sound. With a mix of indie rock and post-punk, they find their own blend that isn't defined by a specific genre.
Their first single as a band, “Pyro,” was released in 2017; it emulates the British rock of the early 2000s with a high-energy sound that set the standard for the rest of their discography, which they followed up on with the release of another single a few months later, before they disappeared from the scene for two years.
They made their comeback in 2020 with their single “Angler”; in fact, it was the first song of theirs I listened to. It is also one of their most popular songs to date. The band explained in an interview with NME that they began to use social media to get their music out there. With consistent posting on TikTok, “Angler” got traction: people started following their releases and taking an interest in them.
It took me a few years after their success in 2020 to actually find them. I was in a phase of broadening my musical taste and finding more rock bands with a sound that excited me. That’s when Spotify came through with its recommendations and introduced me to The Rills.
From that first listen, I knew this was what I was looking for. With a strong drum beat and enticing guitar riffs, I was hooked. Now, I’m an instrumentalist-first, lyrics-second type of listener, but this band gives you the best of both worlds.
If you listen and don’t analyse the meanings behind songs, you’ll enjoy The Rills’ sound. And if you like to go in depth with lyrical content, you’ll enjoy their songwriting. Many of their songs follow the theme of starting with simple beginnings and striving for greatness while finding yourself.
Soon after I started listening to the band, they began a new phase. Halloween 2023, their single “Bones” was released. The song explores toxic relationships, being dependent on someone else for your happiness, wanting that person for life, only to find they don't feel the same.
They later released “I Don’t Wanna Be", an electric anthem about being confident in who you are, despite it often proving to be difficult. This song acted as the lead single for their debut album “Don’t Be A Stranger”, released on 1 November 2024. Comprising 11 songs at a short 33 minutes, this album should be your next listen. It follows a racecar driver theme, with songs like “Drive” accompanying it.
It has a mixture of upbeat and energy-filled songs the band is known for, but also includes slower, heartfelt songs such as “POV”, a personal favourite. You can hear the dreamy rock sounds that feel perfect to listen to during a car ride or on a breezy walk. It plays like the soundtrack to the movie that you’re living in.
If you’re a fan of a good concert, The Rills doesn’t lack there either. I got to see them live on their Don’t Be A Stranger Tour at their London stop early last year. Callum, the bassist, showed incredible stage presence, getting the crowd going with his lively performance throughout the show. The lead singer, Mitch, seemed to have slight nerves during the first song, but they quickly shook off as the show continued. Mason, the drummer, never faltered at any moment as the backbone of the band.
As they gain more experience performing, I believe the shows will just keep getting better. After the show, they tended their merch table while talking to and taking pictures with fans. I was among those fans, and I only have good things to say about the experience!
The band is currently entering a new era, which they marked with a one-night-only show in London on 26 February earlier this year, featuring some unreleased songs. The next day, their first single in this new era was released.
“Dead Boy” introduces a grittier sound in their discography. A mix between punk and alternative rock, familiar to the rest of their music, that immediately gets the listener excited for what’s coming next.
On the other hand, different lyric platforms, such as Dork, already list The Rills as having a new album called “Rills Rec Kaiju” set to release this year. This is the same name as a comic released to accompany their London show, made by their bassist.
The Rills show real promise: they know how to craft catchy tunes while exploring different sounds; their songs bring back the essence of older rock music while adding a modern twist. The band shows dedication to their craft and their fans.
Following a DIY punk ethos, they handle many aspects themselves, with their main focus on marketing and promotion. A lot of the cover work and other graphic design is done by Callum. They also call their fans “Rillinquents” and have dedicated Instagram and WhatsApp channels to foster that community.
If you’re in the UK, you can check them out on their current tour supporting Surf Trash! We can expect news of more new music in the coming months, so be sure to keep an eye out. The Rills are available on all streaming platforms.
If you choose to take a listen, you might discover your new favourite band!
Check out The Rills' music here!
