First Time Flyers are a country music band from the UK that have been making waves in the scene with their catchy melodies, stunning harmonies, and impressive musical skills. They are composed of four talented artists who have already achieved success in their own right: Tim Prottey-Jones (former member of The Wandering Hearts), Vicki Manser (solo artist and West End star), Jake Morrell (solo artist and BBC Radio 2 favourite), and Poppy Fardel (solo artist and actress). Together, they form a band that is more than the sum of its parts, bringing their unique personalities, experiences, and influences to create a fresh and exciting sound.
The band released their debut single Happier in January 2023, with the song receiving positive reviews from fans and critics alike, showcasing the band’s versatility, charisma, and potential.
The band also performed at some of the biggest festivals in the country, such as British Summer Time in Hyde Park, Long Road Festival, and Carfest. They are now gearing up for their first headline tour in September, which will take them to six cities across the UK.
We had the chance to chat with First Time Flyers in July 2023 about their upcoming tour, their musical journey so far, and their plans for the future. Read on to find out what they had to say.
Taking Flight with First Time Flyers
Band names often evolve over time, but for First Time Flyers, inspiration struck during a drive past Stansted Airport. “We had a working title for the band name for a while, but it was a bit of a mouthful, so we started brainstorming,” Tim explains.
“It was a long process, but Jake had some inspiration when he was driving past Stansted Airport,” Poppy adds.
Vicki is happy they finally settled on something that fit: “It was the first suggestion that didn’t sound like Ikea furniture, so it was a firm YES!”
Jake simply states: “I am the master.”
The Meaning Behind “Happier”
Their debut single, “Happier”, co-written with Kaity Rae, blends melancholy lyrics with an upbeat, feel-good sound.
Tim breaks it down: “When you listen to the lyrics, they are sad, but the song has an upbeat feel.”
“We love the juxtaposition of it!” Poppy adds enthusiastically.
Bringing High Energy to the Stage
Dubbed by the press as “high energy” and a “unique face and voice” in modern country, the band takes pride in their ability to deliver a full experience in every performance.
“I’ll take that!!! I think it’s so important to give a whole experience within a performance,” Vicki says with excitement.
“Yeah, we really want to put on a SHOW—every time!” Jake emphasizes.
“And we just generally LOVE what we do, so we are so happy that that is coming across,” Poppy adds.
Album Plans & Touring Excitement
While they’ve released several singles, fans eager for an album will have to wait—“That would be telling, wouldn’t it? MOOHAHAHA!” Tim teases.
As for a theme, Jake keeps it simple: “We write from personal experience, so the theme is reality.”
Their six-show UK tour in September 2023 promises a mix of familiar favourites and brand-new songs, plus exciting new merch.
“Definitely Tebay Services and the different Wetherspoons in each city!” Tim jokes about their tour anticipation.
Jake agrees, laughing: “We love food. Haha. But also we are so excited to meet everyone at the shows. Familiar faces and hopefully some new ones!”
“People can expect some new merch! That’s exciting!” Vicki shares.
“And people can expect to have fun!” Poppy says. “I think that’s the main thing we want from all our shows, that people leave feeling uplifted. There will be familiar songs and lots of new ones too!”
Songwriting with Heart
Songwriting for First Time Flyers is deeply personal, stemming from real-life experiences rather than typical country themes.
“As a band, we go beyond the typical country themes, and we write from the heart,” Tim explains.
Jake agrees: “Yeah, we are very open in our writes and let the process lead us.”
One of Poppy’s key songwriting rituals? “I always need two coffees.”
Vicki shares how they collaborate: “We love going away to write. We spend a few days together and just spout all our ideas!”
Dream Collaborations & Inspirations
The band dreams of working with icons like Lady A, Lori McKenna, and Bruce Springsteen—“Perform with Bruce Springsteen—THE BOSS! We supported him at Hyde Park, but get us on a stage with him! He brings the ENERGY!” Poppy exclaims.
Jake adds another name: “Write with Lori McKenna!”
Tim knows who they’d love to tour with: “We would love to tour with Lady A!”
Vicki has her own dream collab: “And have a bev with Tom Grennan!”
What Makes First Time Flyers Happy?
At the end of the day, joy and creativity fuel their journey.
“When we are together, we genuinely can’t help but be happy,” Poppy shares.
Jake echoes that sentiment: “This whole project is about having fun and being creative, and it’s mad inspiring finding people who have the same drive as you.”
With shared passion and drive, they’ve built something special—not just as musicians, but as friends pushing each other to new heights.
As they continue soaring through the UK country scene, one thing is certain—First Time Flyers are ready to take off.
Upcoming tour dates can be found at First Time Flyers and check our News pages for new music releases.
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