My Life Story

My Life Story became a pioneering force in the Britpop movement scoring 6 UK top 40 singles and a top 40 album inspiring the era’s orchestral identity. Combining playful lyrics with epic pop, MLS formed in Southend in 1984. By the early 90s, lead singer Jake Shillingford had grown the band into a flamboyant orchestral 11 piece with string and brass section. Their passionate, often chaotic live shows lead to Giles Martin (The Beatles) recording tracks for their debut album Mornington Crescent after discovering them at the Marquee. Signed to Parlophone in 1996, the band released The Golden Mile which spawned most hit singles inc 12 Reasons Why I Love Her. Joined Up Talking followed on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s It Records in 2000, featuring sixth hit single, It’s A Girl Thing. Many collaborations followed inc. Morrissey, Marc Almond and The Wonderstuff. MLS performed Glastonbury Pyramid stage and Reading Festival 4 times. They supported Blur, Pulp, Carter USM and are one of the only bands to headline over Oasis. in 2019 Shillingford returned with the expansive sounding World Citizen album, followed by the New Wave / Electronic influenced Loving You is Killing Me (2024) , mixed by Ben Hillier (Depeche Mode) . He has recently re-released Joined Up Talking (25th Anniversary edition) remastered.