Let The Banner Wave

”Let The Banner Wave” is the 3rd single from Love On Drugs' upcoming album ”meLODies” and deals with ambivalence about the great country in the west. The song is released just days before the historically important election in the US on November 3rd, and the songwriter hopes that America listens and reacts. Jenny Lundin (Surrender Dorothy) sings backing vocals and the band consists of Markus Larsson (Kai Martin & Stick) on keyboards, and a solid rhythm section with Robert Olsson on bass and Martin Lillberg on drums.

Love on Drugs, or Thomas Pontén and band, curiously and passionately blend americana and indie pop, mixing influences from both sides of the pond into a rare and unique cocktail. Thomas left his hometown of Gävle long time ago and, via Uppsala and Stockholm, ended up in Gothenburg in the 00's. His music has been compared to among others World Party and Teenage Fanclub, but also legends like Neil Young, John Lennon and David Bowie. Thomas mainly feels kinship with artists and bands that are a bit 'all over the place' genrewise. Namely Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, XTC, David Bowie, Kirsty MacColl, The Band and Elvis Costello to mention a few.

As early as in grade 6 he wrote lyrics for his friends heavy metal band. After attempting drums and keyboard he fell in love with the guitar in secondary school. If secondary school represented the awakening, high school was 'the nerdphase', where he practiced scales and was seduced by what is sometimes referred to as 'musicians music'. With help from before mentioned Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, Pontén realised that the songwriters and the storytellers are the real heroes and heroins.

Through the years he's played everything from reggae to avant garde in various bands and constellations. With Love On Drugs however it's the 1st time in his music career that he fronts a band and sing lead vocals.

German webzine FolkWorld describe the music like this, ”This is on the rockier side of folk rock.Love On Drugs definitely establish a nice groove, which gives this the edge over many other bands you hear playing in clubland”. Love On Drugs has played with among others Ted Russell Kamp (US), The Mommyheads (US), Pi Jacobs (US), Sarah Macdougall (CAN) och Gordie Tentrees (CAN).

In the spring of 2016 he released his debut album ”I Think I'm Alone Now” and in april 2018, his 2nd album ”Solder”. Both records got great reviews and a lot of airplay throughout Europe and was featured in many playlists on Spotify. In the winter of 2021 Love On Drugs will release album number 3. This time Thomas goes back to his roots in americana after celebrating classic singer songwriters and indie pop on the previous one.