West London Troubadour breakouts PARLAY release new single “China Clay”
CHINA CLAY OUT NOW - LISTEN HERE ON SPOTIFY
Rising rock band announce run of new singles, headline shows and 2026 tour with Sheffield's The Rosadocs
Rising rock band announce run of new singles, headline shows and 2026 tour with Sheffield's The Rosadocs
Emerging from the beating heart of London’s grassroots scene, Parlay - the West London rock four-piece who cut their teeth as residents at the legendary Troubadour - return with their brand-new single “China Clay.”
The track - which is out now - marks the beginning of a powerful new chapter for a band already generating serious noise in the capital and beyond. With a residency that honed their live energy and crazy work ethic that has seen them release music at a relentless pace, Parlay are fast becoming one of the UK’s most exciting new breakthrough acts.
“‘China Clay’ is the start of a run of releases that we’ve been building towards for months,” says co-frontman Stanley Doyle. “It feels like the first page of what’s to come - the sound of a band hitting its stride and finding its voice.”
Written and recorded between RAK Studios in St John’s Wood and Dan Gretch’s studio in Bethnal Green with producer Luke Burgoyne, China Clay captures everything that makes Parlay special - the tight chemistry of four musicians who have spent countless nights on stage together, and a songwriting instinct that marries melody with emotion in a way that feels both classic and new.
“For a minute or two, we want it to take people away,” says vocalist and guitarist Oscar Journeaux. “Not to a particular place or emotion, but hopefully when they’re listening their emotions are amplified in some way. Whether it’s walking with more intent or just heightening whatever they’re up to - that’s what we want our music to do.”
The track - which is out now - marks the beginning of a powerful new chapter for a band already generating serious noise in the capital and beyond. With a residency that honed their live energy and crazy work ethic that has seen them release music at a relentless pace, Parlay are fast becoming one of the UK’s most exciting new breakthrough acts.
“‘China Clay’ is the start of a run of releases that we’ve been building towards for months,” says co-frontman Stanley Doyle. “It feels like the first page of what’s to come - the sound of a band hitting its stride and finding its voice.”
Written and recorded between RAK Studios in St John’s Wood and Dan Gretch’s studio in Bethnal Green with producer Luke Burgoyne, China Clay captures everything that makes Parlay special - the tight chemistry of four musicians who have spent countless nights on stage together, and a songwriting instinct that marries melody with emotion in a way that feels both classic and new.
“For a minute or two, we want it to take people away,” says vocalist and guitarist Oscar Journeaux. “Not to a particular place or emotion, but hopefully when they’re listening their emotions are amplified in some way. Whether it’s walking with more intent or just heightening whatever they’re up to - that’s what we want our music to do.”
Lyrically, China Clay is both fragile and fierce, built around a story of loss, obsession, and transformation.
“The song loosely follows the idea of a failed relationship - the attempt to rebuild something broken, or remake someone out of ‘China clay,’” Oscar explains. “It’s about obsession, loneliness, and descent into disarray - a reflection of what we’ve all felt at some point.”
London’s next breakthrough bandFormed by four friends - (Giles Webb McNamee Jr on bass, Oscar York on drums, Stanley Doyle on vocals & guitar and Oscar Journeaux on vocals & guitar) - who met while working at The Troubadour, Parlay’s story is one of serendipity, creativity, and pure graft. Their residency at the iconic West London venue gave them a space to experiment, build a following, and refine their live show into something unforgettable.
“The Troubadour was our training ground,” says drummer Oscar. “It taught us how to play to a crowd - how to connect, how to hold a room, and how to double your energy every night.”
Their diverse influences - from Cage the Elephant, Wunderhorse, and The Police to Radiohead and The Strokes - collide in a sound that’s melodic, restless and full of character. It’s music made for stages both small and massive - and as their 2025 live schedule proves, Parlay are already heading for bigger ones.
Live datesChina Clay is the first in a series of releases leading into the band’s new EP, Was That Today, arriving 14th November. Next up is their second single “Over In And Out” on 31st October, coinciding with a London show at Mr Fogg’s. The band will then take their new material on the road with a run of headline and support dates: The Social, London (12th Nov), Hare & Hounds, Birmingham (13th Nov), and YES Basement, Manchester (14th Nov) - before joining Sheffield favourites The Rosadocs on tour throughout early 2026.
With a sound that’s as ambitious as it is heartfelt, and a live presence that’s quickly becoming the stuff of word-of-mouth legend, Parlay are a band proving that London’s next wave of rock is very much alive - and ready to roar.
“CHINA CLAY” is out now on all streaming platforms.
LISTENING LINK TO CHINA CLAY HERE ON SPOTIFY
Listen & Follow Parlay:
Spotify | Instagram | TikTok | Website
Live Dates:
“The song loosely follows the idea of a failed relationship - the attempt to rebuild something broken, or remake someone out of ‘China clay,’” Oscar explains. “It’s about obsession, loneliness, and descent into disarray - a reflection of what we’ve all felt at some point.”
London’s next breakthrough bandFormed by four friends - (Giles Webb McNamee Jr on bass, Oscar York on drums, Stanley Doyle on vocals & guitar and Oscar Journeaux on vocals & guitar) - who met while working at The Troubadour, Parlay’s story is one of serendipity, creativity, and pure graft. Their residency at the iconic West London venue gave them a space to experiment, build a following, and refine their live show into something unforgettable.
“The Troubadour was our training ground,” says drummer Oscar. “It taught us how to play to a crowd - how to connect, how to hold a room, and how to double your energy every night.”
Their diverse influences - from Cage the Elephant, Wunderhorse, and The Police to Radiohead and The Strokes - collide in a sound that’s melodic, restless and full of character. It’s music made for stages both small and massive - and as their 2025 live schedule proves, Parlay are already heading for bigger ones.
Live datesChina Clay is the first in a series of releases leading into the band’s new EP, Was That Today, arriving 14th November. Next up is their second single “Over In And Out” on 31st October, coinciding with a London show at Mr Fogg’s. The band will then take their new material on the road with a run of headline and support dates: The Social, London (12th Nov), Hare & Hounds, Birmingham (13th Nov), and YES Basement, Manchester (14th Nov) - before joining Sheffield favourites The Rosadocs on tour throughout early 2026.
With a sound that’s as ambitious as it is heartfelt, and a live presence that’s quickly becoming the stuff of word-of-mouth legend, Parlay are a band proving that London’s next wave of rock is very much alive - and ready to roar.
“CHINA CLAY” is out now on all streaming platforms.
LISTENING LINK TO CHINA CLAY HERE ON SPOTIFY
Listen & Follow Parlay:
Spotify | Instagram | TikTok | Website
Live Dates:
- 31 Oct – “Over In And Out” Single + London Show @ Mr Fogg’s
- 12 Nov – The Social, London (Co-Headline)
- 13 Nov – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham (Support)
- 14 Nov – YES Basement, Manchester (Support)
- 2026 – National Tour w/ The Rosadocs
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