HAVING found Miranda - as their name suggests - a band from Thurrock are now looking for success... and plenty of enjoyment.

Finding Miranda are a four-piece indie, rock and folk band who formed 18 months ago and fter a year spent gigging, the group have released their debut EP.

The quartet are formed of lead singer Chay Appleyard, from Grays, lead guitarist Lee Tallon, from Purfleet, Jimmy Sallows - the bassist from Tilbury and drummer Tony Buckley from Purfleet.

The EP Miracles and Machines features three songs, all of which are upbeat and fun, with catcy guitar riffs and a beat you can’t help but tap along to. The record’s first track, Slow Drive Home makes for very easy listening.

With the EP’s release, the band are now looking to kick on in 2014. They first met at an Open Mic night in Grays in February 2012. They became friends on Facebook before joining forces as Finding Miranda.

Chay, 23, said: “My main ambition is to have fun and to write the best songs I can. I love playing music with these guys, and I thank Tony so much for asking me to be in a band with him last summer. It's great when you write a song in your bedroom to then listen it come to life in a rehearsal space.”

The band are in good spirits as the New Year approaches. When asked who the band’s influences are, drummer Tony Buckley said: “Influences? One Direction. We were a science experiment that went horribly wrong.”

While this Thurrock band might be some way off emulating the global success of Harry Styles and co., they are having great fun and with good songs to boot, are well worth checking out.

The EP is available to purchase from www.findingmiranda.bigcartel.com. You can hear the band at soundcloud.com/findingmiranda