Mixed Signals are an alternative rock band from Ayr, Scotland, formed in early 2024 through a spark of spontaneity and shared musical instinct. It began when frontman Ben Gardiner was booked for a charity gig and needed a backing band. Over pints at the pub, he turned to university mates James Armstrong (guitar), Leon Calder (bass), and Nathan Christie (drums). What started as a one-off quickly evolved into a serious project, driven by natural chemistry and a sound worth chasing.
Their name, Mixed Signals, was lifted from a track by The Night Café, a fleeting favourite that stuck and soon became the banner for their growing identity. Drawing inspiration from the melodic urgency of Inhaler, the raw emotion of Biffy Clyro and Wunderhorse, and the atmospheric depth of Radiohead, Muse and Snow Patrol, the band blends soaring hooks with driving riffs. There’s a touch of Oasis swagger and Foo Fighters grit, but the result feels distinctly their own.
Each member brings something different to the table, shaping a sound that balances emotion with energy. Ben’s vocals lean into honest, relatable storytelling, James’ guitar work is cinematic and punchy, Leon’s basslines are melodic and driving, and Nathan’s drumming gives the band its momentum and edge. “To me the recurring theme in our music is heartbreak and hope,” Nathan says. “We want to make music that people can understand and relate to.”
Their new single, “Different Frequencies,” marks a confident step forward for the band. Co-written with Callum Thomas of Dancing on Tables, the track began life as a soft acoustic idea before being reshaped into a modern rock anthem. It was later reimagined and recorded in Liverpool with producer Tayte Nickols. “Through a process of trial and error, we transformed the song from a soft acoustic anthem into something much bigger and more dynamic,” Ben shares. “It ended up becoming a proper modern rock track.”
Lyrically, “Different Frequencies” explores a relationship held together by the fear of being apart, even when both people know something isn’t working. “This song stemmed from my own personal experience,” James explains. “It’s about being stuck in something that isn’t healthy, but staying because you’re scared of what life looks like without that person. I think a lot of people will recognise themselves in that feeling.”
Like much of Mixed Signals’ music, the single reflects the emotional push and pull of young love. “Unintentionally, our music often centres on the highs and lows of relationships,” Ben says. “There are countless ways one person can make you feel in a single day, and most people can relate to that swing between heartbreak and hope.”
Mixed Signals first made waves in Glasgow, selling out their debut headline show at Audio before landing a coveted headline slot at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut (February 21st 2026). In 2025, they took another major step with a performance at the Isle of Wight Festival. Online, their debut single “Are You Satisfied?” has surpassed 300,000 streams. With major live milestones behind them and momentum building fast, Mixed Signals are positioning themselves as one of Scotland’s most exciting emerging rock acts.
Connect with Mixed Signals:
https://mixedsignals.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/mixedsignalsofficialband
https://www.tiktok.com/@mixedsignalsband_
