Scooter Braun’s Manchester Gamble: The Meteoric Rise and Experimental Rebirth of Rixton
RIXTON
From: Manchester, United Kingdom
Members: Jake Roche, Charley Bagnall, Danny Wilkin, Lewi Morgan
Years active: 2012–2019 (as Rixton), 2019–Present (as Push Baby)
Impact: Global Pop-Rock Sensations
Biggest hit: “Me and My Broken Heart”
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Breaking the Internet: How a YouTube Cover Band Conquered the Billboard Charts
Rixton didn't take the traditional path to pop stardom. Formed in Manchester in 2012, the group—fronted by the charismatic Jake Roche (son of Shane Richie and Coleen Nolan)—initially built their following through witty, high-quality covers on YouTube. Their musicality caught the attention of mogul Scooter Braun, who signed them to School Boy Records. By 2014, they were no longer just a digital curiosity; they were a global priority. Their smash hit "Me and My Broken Heart," which cleverly sampled Rob Thomas’s "Lonely No More," shot to Number 1 in the UK and broke the Top 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The band’s debut album, Let the Road, showcased their ability to blend pop hooks with blue-eyed soul and rock energy. They toured with giants like Ariana Grande and Ed Sheeran, with Sheeran even penning their soulful ballad "Hotel Ceiling." However, despite their massive radio success and a "teen heartthrob" image that graced magazine covers worldwide, the members of Rixton always felt a pull toward a more independent, experimental sound. After a quiet period in the late 2010s, they made a bold decision that shocked the industry.
In 2019, the group shed the "boyband" label entirely, rebranding as Push Baby. This wasn't just a name change; it was a total creative overhaul. Moving away from polished major-label pop, they embraced an avant-garde, DIY aesthetic, releasing the album Woah through their own label. By 2026, they have established themselves as a respected independent force, known for their eccentric visuals and genre-bending music. While the era of "Broken Hearts" is behind them, the legacy of Rixton remains a testament to four musicians who dared to trade mainstream perfection for artistic freedom.
From Pop Charts to Indie Icons: The Complete Discography
Let the Road (Album)
Released: 2015
Peak: #19 (UK), #32 (USA)"Me and My Broken Heart" (Single)
Chart Peak: #1 (UK) | #14 (USA)
Certification: Platinum (USA)"Hotel Ceiling" & "Wait on Me"
Top 20 UK HitsWoah (as Push Baby)
Released: 2019 (Independent)
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Follow the Evolution in 2026
Jake Roche (Push Baby): @jakeroche
Push Baby Official: @pushbaby
Lewi Morgan: @lewi_morgan