Ross Wakefield and Toby Vane (as they’re known to the taxman) harnessed their shared influences, ranging from Public Enemy and Joe Cocker to Elbow and Nick Drake, and began to create their own unique sound back in late 2005. They invited selected friends and musicians to bring more of a live element to their recordings, including newcomers Jono McCleery (Ninja Tune), Lucy Kitchen, Bridgette Amofah (Oi Va Voi), Pete Simpson (Elektrons), BBC Jazz award winner and Ronnie Scotts’ fave Liane Carroll (London Elektricity) and Laura Vane (MJ Cole, Vipertones).

2006 saw the duo release their debut recording, the ‘Realise’ EP, earning them global critical acclaim, and radio rotation from Zane Lowe, Mr Scruff, Ras Kwame, and Benji B, amongst others. Indeed, Gilles Peterson became the duo’s number one champion, inviting them to record a live session at Maida Vale Studios. By the end of the year the Heroes had landed themselves two nominations at the BBC Worldwide Awards and things were starting to hot up!

The Part-Time Heroes’ sound has often been compared to scene defining stalwarts like Koop, Zero 7 and Portishead, and “Meanwhile…” continues that legacy, pushing forward with a refreshingly wholesome and honest style, complete with live instrumentation, deep jazz roots, folksy flourishes and organic, soul nourishing goodness. Having turned out well received remixes for a plethora of artists, including MJ Cole, Marbet Rocel (Compost) and a handful of mixes for various Tru Thoughts artists the time had now come to unleash the debut LP – “Meanwhile…”.

The end of 2008 saw them tour all over the UK, Europe and Japan (including the prestigious Tokyo Crossover Jazz Festival) with their Live and DJ/Sndsystm Sets. May 09 saw the release of ‘Meanwhile…The Remixes’, featuring a wealth of remixing talent from the likes of Marbert Rocel, Feature Cast, Boom Clap Bachelors, The Nextmen, and Scrimshire to name a few.

As 2011 draws to a close, their much anticipated follow up LP is now in the finishing stages and is set for release in Feb 2012…so stay tuned for the next heroic adventures.