INTERVIEW: Field Report

INTERVIEW:

Field Report

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THEY are one of the most exciting…

and engaging bands around right now. Chris Porterfield of Field Report talks me through the band’s latest L.P., Summertime Songs, and how it feels knowing it is out. He discusses the themes that go into the record and how Field Report got together; whether there is a big music scene in Milwaukee (where they are based) – what they have planned regards touring.

I ask whether Trump’s leadership and U.S. politics affect their music; Porterfield shares a great moment from his time in music; how he spends his time away from music; if the band all share tastes in music – the advice he would give to new artists.

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Hi. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi. I am doing well. Just getting ready for a week in Texas at South by Southwest next week.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

My name is Chris Porterfield. I write and sing - and play the guitar in a project called Field Report.

Summertime Songs, your new album, is out. Are you excited it is completed? What was it like recording the album?

I couldn’t be more excited to get this album out.

We recorded it at a studio in Milwaukee called Wire & Vice over the course of a few months in 2016. We were there working most days: writing, gathering; recording, trying new ideas; killing bad ideas and responding to the work from the day before. 

What sort of themes and ideas compelled the songwriting?

There are a lot of narrators in various stages of relationships ending or changing.

Will there be any singles coming from the record? What are your plans on that side of things?

Yep. Three singles are out now already. Get them while they’re hot.

Take me back to the start. How did Field Report get together?

The first Field Report record came out in 2012. I’m the only original member left - people get busy and priorities change. But this lineup, Thomas Wincek on Keys, Barry Clark on Bass and Devin Drobka on Drums, is the best I’ve ever had. I’ve never been in such a good band.

I hope we can keep this lineup in place for a very long time.

You guys are based in Milwaukee. What is the area like for music? Is it quite a busy scene?!

Milwaukee is a big enough city to have clubs to play in and for touring bands to stop through - but small enough to keep a low profile until you’re ready to share something with the rest of the world. There is a great creative community here and home to many amazing players, writers and artists. It’s been a perfect incubator for Field Report.

It’s also in the middle of the U.S.; so we can easily route tours for a few weeks on the East or the West Coast.

Do you all share tastes in music? Who are the artists you all grew up around?

I’m fundamentally a ‘songs’ person - I grew up with singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen. Tom and Barry both have Electronic projects and Barry is a Classical double bass player. Devin is a Jazz drummer. We all overlap, too, but everyone has their wheelhouse. It’s important to me to have influences in the band beyond my own idioms - it keeps ideas fresh and exciting.

How much of your music is affected by politics and what is happening in America? Do you get riled by the situation at present?

Music and politics are inextricable.

Music is how we view the world: politics is a tool to shape the world. They mix all the time. Songs are political acts. There is a lot of parallel narrative about America in all of the breakups and relationship changes on our record. What is happening in America now is terribly upsetting, damaging and embarrassing. The majority of us here have just enough faith in the institutions of democracy to muster the patience to wait this mess out.

I am trying hard to believe that this awful moment will motivate a new generation of American leaders to get involved and right our course.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

Lots of American gigs for now...

Do you think you’ll come to the U.K. this year? Are you a fan of British music?

I hope so! I love the U.K. We got to come to the U.K. a few years ago supporting Jeff Tweedy. We had our own London gig, too, and Frank Turner came out to see us. It was a highlight for me. One of my favorite bands ever is The Blue Nile from Glasgow. I think there are moments on our new record that wouldn’t be out of place on a lost Blue Nile record.

What do you hope to achieve, personally, in 2018?

I hope that people hear our new record and find it a useful and exciting tool for discovery - and that they come out to our shows so we can be in the same room and explore the songs together.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

I was a part of a John Prine review at Eaux Claires festival last year. I was rehearsing with the band for the show the day before at April Base. We were in the middle of running the song I was leading and suddenly the energy in the room changed.

John Prine sauntered into the barn, walked past the band and right by me; pulled up a chair about five feet in front of me and sat down. He liked the arrangement and told me so. That was one of those moments that this job occasionally blesses you with.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

The only thing that all active artists today have in common is that they did not stop. Just don’t stop. Keep doing better work and keep trying to find your audience. That’s really all there is to it.

You never arrive at a place where you can coast...

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I have a one-and-half-year-old daughter who I stay at home with - unless I’m on the road. She takes up pretty much all of my time. I read a lot. I like coffee a lot. I also like watching NBA basketball (go, Milwaukee Bucks!). 

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

The Blue Nile - Stay

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Follow Field Report

Official:

http://www.fieldreportmusic.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/officialfieldreport/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/fieldreport

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/fieldreportmusic

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/fieldreport

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmOSnclp_WoGUdhsZHsjhTA

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1n5YEhuNLUQG4fyhft986d

INTERVIEW: Lyndsay Pace

INTERVIEW:

Lyndsay Pace

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AFTER speaking with a Canadian artist who has created…

an emotional and deep mini-album; I get to shine a light on the Maltese songwriter, Lyndsay Pace. She talks to me about working with Beehive Productions on the Butterfly E.P.; whether there is going to be more material coming up; what life is like for a songwriter in Malta – if she will come to Britain and perform in 2018.

Pace discusses her music idols and tastes; how her music has developed over the past couple of years; how she gained that incredible affinity for the stage and audiences; if there is a favourite musical memory from her time so far – the Maltese songwriter reveals how she spends her time away from music.

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Hi, Lyndsay. How are you? How has your week been?

Hey (smiles). I’m good, thanks - always keeping busy with studio work and gigging around!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I’m a singer/songwriter/recording artist/vocal-tutor hailing from the Mediterranean island of Malta. I always had an ultimate passion for music; carrying my natural presence and self-confident abilities through each of my stage performances. I like to differ from the other acts in the local music industry by bringing about a certain aura; a professional one which incorporates stamina, attitude and pure energy.

What are you working on at the moment? Is there new material in the pipeline?

Yes, definitely! I love making records and, in fact, I will be going abroad to Switzerland next month to record my upcoming E.P./album in collaboration with an independent B2B music company, Move Productions - who have been interested in working with me.

I’m very excited about this new project!

How do you think your music and songwriting has developed since 2015’s Sick Day?

I believe that I’m growing, musically, and continuously finding myself as an artist - especially when it comes to recording and songwriting. I like to be versatile and keep my options open - but I would describe my main genre as a mainstream sound, whilst combining Pop/Rock and up-tempo tracks.

Tell me about the E.P., Butterfly, and working with Beehive Productions. How did that come about?

I recently had launched my second Pop/Rock E.P. in collaboration with Beehive Productions entitled Butterfly (produced and written by Kenny D’Ugo, Boris Cezek and Dean Muscat). It was recorded at The Villa Brasserie, Balluta Bay in St. Julian’s during the weekly music events hosted by Get It. I have performed a live unplugged session with the trio-band and my fans also had the opportunity to get limited, signed copies as freebies on the night.

The E.P. compilation includes releases from my repertoire, which have been playlisted on the leading radio stations during the year whilst topping the local charts as follows: Walking on Air, Mr. Vanity; Butterfly and Best Song nominee, Daphne, as a bonus track. It is, now, officially available for downloads on the digital platforms such as iTunes, Apple Music and Spotify prior to the debut release.

You are a Maltese artist. Is there a big and developing scene there? Is it easy to get exposure there?!

Well. We have a lot of talent locally and, although we have a small market, I think the competition is getting bigger and bigger! Personally, I like to see the bigger picture of things - and I’m trying to make the right connections overseas at the moment to expand in my career.

Who are the artists you grew up listening to?

From my perspective, my inspirations generally come from personal experiences and people which affect me in a way that mirrors my opinions about the world. I have influences that include top artists and multiple genres - from Pop music such as Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars; Katy Perry, P!nk; Gwen Stefani, Adele; Rihanna; Demi Lovato and Jessie J, to mention a few...

You have a natural ability and aura! Did that connection with music and the stage come at a young age?

Well. My talents had been recognised clearly at a young age, as I showed a keen interest in the subjects of drama, dancing and singing - thus, taking up lessons before evolving my hobbies into more of a passion…quickly becoming a serious career. In fact, I also had been taking Speech Level training for years from a number of professional tutors based in the U.K. (and developing further to better my talents).

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

Well. It certainly looks like it’s going to be a jam-packed summer, but I have no confirmed dates yet. So, make sure to stay connected on the social networks for the latest updates!

Do you think you’ll come to the U.K. and play here?

Why not?! I have performed at The Bedford a few years ago and it was such a great experience. I really should get gigging again in the U.K. sometime soon!

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

I really hope that, in due time, I can set my foot abroad to reach my dreams of becoming an established artist - and share my music on an international level.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Hmmmm…well. There are several experiences throughout my career that I can talk about, but my favourite is when I was selected with the top-twenty finalists of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 with the song, Home (written and produced by Boris Cezek), which was definitely the highlight of my career - being the most-popular local festival and a major stepping stone for Maltese artists. I would definitely like to participate again in the future!

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I have learnt that the most important thing is to always believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams because, at the end of the day, I think that every individual is special in their own unique way!

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

There’s just too many to mention!

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Well. I always like to keep myself on-the-go, but I like shopping, travelling and dining out during my free time.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

My all-time favourite song…

Muse – Starlight

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Follow Lyndsay Pace

 Official:

http://www.lyndsaypace.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Lyndsay.Pace.Official/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/lyndsaypace

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/lyndsay_pace/

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/lyndsaypace

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/1zipitup/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3lEf39jTDgGfRqathS0iZ9

INTERVIEW: Marty Zylstra

INTERVIEW:

Marty Zylstra

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IT is always difficult channelling emotional and personal experiences…

into a cohesive, original and impressive work. Marty Zylstra tells me about his mini-album, The Dragonfly and the Spider, and the personal loss he experienced around the time of creation/recording. I ask the Canadian musician if he has standout cuts from The Dragonfly and the Spider; whether, he feels, the heaviness and intensity of the music creates a positivity and sense of hope; what it was like growing up in rural Canada – and, in terms of gigs, he has plans to come to the U.K.

Zylstra discusses musical influence and upbringing; some new artists worth a look; what he has planned for the remainder of the year – completing the interview with a rather fine song selection!

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Hi, Marty. How are you? How has your week been?

I'm great! I've been busy working on rehearsing for my launch party on March 31st at Blue Light Studios in Vancouver and, also, doing some podcasting and talking to awesome bloggers like yourself – and, also, attempting to juggle family life (my wife and I have a toddler!) and work etc. etc.!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

My name is Marty Zylstra. I am an independent recording artist from Vancouver B.C.! My new music sounds like Elliott Smith, Harry Nilsson; John Lennon, and Gord Downie, with a bit of Beach Boys influence. Mom Rock with dad vibes...

The Dragonfly and the Spider is your mini-album. What sort of themes and ideas compelled its creation?

Originally, I had been releasing a song at a time kind of building up a catalogue and carving out my solo career starting, in about, 2013. I played some shows and stuff and was kind of ‘getting there’ if you will - and then found out my mom had cancer. It halted the whole process and stopped me in my tracks. Her and my dad lived with us for about six-eight weeks as she was going through treatment in Vancouver. 

Then, about nine months later, my sister died also of cancer. This was all within a short, crazy period of time. The last thing on my mind was music, but I had been writing a lot and some of the ideas were developed into songs on this record.  

I know you experienced devastating loss in a short time – losing several relatives. Did that shock force you to write and put your emotions into music?!

Yeah. The theme of grief may or not be all over this record - but I think there is a light in the dark. I would hope that how you feel after listening to the E.P. in its entirety is how I felt through the journey of grief. 

What was it like working with JP Maurice at Blue Light Studios?

He's a great producer for me because he is a songwriter first.

He was definitely able to bring out the best in each song and willing to try new sound experiments. He also speaks ‘Beatle-ese’ which makes it easy to discuss sound ideas based on music that we both love (The Beatles).

Is there a cut from The Dragonfly and the Spider that stands out? Which one do you bond with the hardest?

Moon stands out because it was such a simple idea at the beginning: just acoustic guitar and some weird whimsical lyrics about space. That being said, it has deep meaning for me talking about escaping the situation you are in and finding Heaven. Themes of God and Heaven from a childlike point-of-view. 

Wild Ones was the one that took the most time to figure out. It was the oldest song of the group of tunes and the arrangement is so simple - but, I think it's the ‘least like the others’.

Do you think the heaviness and emotional outpouring, in a way, is designed to get the listener thinking about positivity and change?!

Yes. I know that even more now after going through personal therapy for my own grief. When I listen back to the album, there is a sense of hope at the end. I would want people to feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel after the loss of loved ones or going through difficult challenges.

You grew up in a rural area of Canada. Was music a big part of your early life? How did the scenery and setting shape your desire to be a musician?

My first-ever musical instrument was my dad's Thorens TD160 record player (for all you vinyl aficionados). I was about (a) one-year-old when I learned how to put on records by The Carpenters. I've seen a lot of the country, having travelled as a kid. It was less common to fly from, say, Vancouver to Toronto in the 1980s, and so, we used to pile in the family wagon and tent across the country to visit my aunt and uncle and stuff. (B.T.W., my wonderful cousin Aaron sings on my song, How Could I, and he sounds beautiful). 

Music has kind of always been there. Seeing the country and having different experiences definitely allowed me to be able to have an open mind about creativity

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

As mentioned above; I’m playing at Blue Light Studios for one of their amazing and intimate Blue Light Sessions events on March 31st. There will be other gigs announced soon, so stay posted!

Will you come and play the U.K. sometime this year?

Ideally, the answer is ‘yes’. My good pal Finn McConnell is from the U.K. (he played cello and keyboards on the E.P.) and he is always attempting to twist my arm to get over the pond.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

I start work on E.P. number-two in June. I hope it gets finished! I'm also hoping to put an acoustic covers E.P. out soon too. Stay tuned.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Many. I love writing songs and, when track-two was written, it flowed out of me and I wrote it in the time it took to play it. So quick. Creating music is amazing because, one minute there isn't a song and then, the next minute, it's there. 

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Continue to learn songs and listen to music out of your comfort zone. 

IN THIS PHOTO: Bend Sinister

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Dom Fricot, Bend Sinister; JP Maurice; ACTORS; Ultrviolence and Wazonek (all from Vancouver/Canada!).

IN THIS PHOTO: JP Maurice/PHOTO CREDIT: Jen van Houten

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I like to run/exercise and spend time with my family the most. But, in cliché fashion, I'm an avid hockey lover and follow the sport really closely.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

You should play a song from ACTORS’ new L.P. called We Don't Have to Dance - it's in my current playlist!

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Follow Marty Zylstra

Official:

http://www.martyzylstra.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/martyzylstramusic

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/martyzylstra

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/martyzylstramusic/

BandCamp:

https://martyzylstra.bandcamp.com/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/martyzylstra

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3lEf39jTDgGfRqathS0iZ9

INTERVIEW: Fight for Friday

INTERVIEW:

Fight for Friday

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A tremendous band with a new E.P. on the horizon…

it was a great reason to speak with Fight for Friday. Released on 11th May; the band’s sophomore E.P., Someone You Could Trust, promises to be a pretty epic affair. I ask them about the E.P. and the story behind the latest single, Headache. The guys talk about borrowing from The Wonder Years; how Fight for Friday came together; what gigs they have booked – which artists they all grew up on.

I ask what one could expect, were they to attend a Fight for Friday gig; if they get chance to chill away from music; the advice they would give to new artists; whether the North of England gets the credit it deserves – they end the interview by selecting some fantastic songs.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Sol: Pretty good. It's been super-hectic since we announced the E.P. - but we're just about keeping up.

Matt: Not bad. We’re all feeling pretty snowed-under at the moment but, having just shot a music video, we’re really stoked to show everyone what’s next!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We're Fight for Friday and we're a Pop-Punk band from the Lake District; we've been making music together for the best part of five years and we're currently in the process of releasing our second E.P., Someone You Could Trust (out on 11th May).

Members:

Matt (A.K.A. ‘Gee’) - Drums

Lloyd - Lead Guitar

Seb - Vox

Sol – Bass

Someone You Could Trust is your new E.P. How do you think it differs from your debut – in terms of sound and ambition?

Sol: I think all of our earlier releases, so far, were kinda leading up to this one in terms of our sound - and we've really found something we're happy with on this one.

Thematically, it's really representative of the last year or so of our lives, as a band and as individuals.

Matt: We’ve definitely done a lot of growing up for this record. The past few years have been one huge learning curve, not only musically but personally, too; becoming adults and realising that you can’t wait for things to be handed to you on a plate.

We’ve finally reached a point where we really know where we want to go as a band - and you can definitely hear that on the record.

What sort of themes and ideas compelled the songwriting on your latest work?

We definitely looked deeper into the songwriting this time around. Instead of chucking into a song whatever comes into our heads first; we looked back on personal experiences, how we dealt with certain situations; the desire to be something and, in more than one song, the feeling of being used - alongside taking things as they come.

How important is the Wonder Years’ song, where the title comes from, to you and the direction of the E.P.?

Sol: The name was, mostly, a last-minute decision. We were about to start the release campaign for the E.P. and we desperately needed to think of one. I’ve been listening to TWY (The Wonder Years) all winter, so I decided to put on one of their albums for inspiration - and it just kinda came together. It definitely fits the themes of the E.P. - and we think it’s a cool homage to one of our favourite bands.

Do you have a standout song from the E.P.? Which song, to you, defines Someone You Could Trust?

Matt: Honestly, I’m split between Headache and Target Practice. If you want to predict what our future sound is going to be, expect something along these lines! We wanted to take fans on a journey through this E.P., start to finish, and come out of listening to it with a sense of fulfilment. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions through and through but, for me, I think the two tracks I named allow the E.P. to be called 'Someone You Could Trust'. Without them, the record would feel a whole lot different...

If I had to make my mind up; I’d go with Target Practice, as I’ve been psyched about that song from the day we wrote it.

 

Headache is the lead single. What is the story behind it?

We took heavy inspiration from Chester Bennington's death for this track and used that as a reach into the mental-health aspect of how, when nobody is around, that can seriously affect your positivity and mental-state and, even though you’re not in a good way; there's always someone there for you if you need help. It’s not always a case of you asking for help: more, for someone else to see if you’re alright.

How did Fight for Friday find one another? Can I ask where that name comes from, too?

Lloyd: Gee and I were in a band back in year-seven/eight (2009/2010) at school, which later reformed with Sol and Jake in 2014 (who, later dropped out and doesn't play with us anymore) and, because I didn’t want to sing, I got my friend, Seb, from drama club to join as the singer/frontman - almost a year after the band had started jamming together.

The name came from a conversation at a practice - as we always practised on a Friday night after school. At the time, we said we would “fight through the week for Friday”. But the name, more or less, just happened - and it’s stuck ever since.

You hail from Cumbia and Manchester. Do you think the North, and its music, gets the respect it deserves?

Matt: It’s definitely fair to say that we feel trapped where we come from. Obviously, that’s a cliché in our genre, but there’s literally one road in and the same road out of our town; with it also being forty-five minutes away from the motorway. As you can tell - it isn’t the combo one would hope for. There isn’t a scene for our music round here, which is why we are moving into Manchester the best we can. With Lloyd going to BIMM university; it’s opened a few doors for us to get a following down there.

That said, there's plenty of hidden gems up here waiting to be found; some of which don’t deserve the minimal attention that we get being locked away in our corner.  

Which artists did you all grow up around? Who would you count as idols?

Sol: I’ve been into Punk-Rock pretty much since I could choose what I wanted to listen to - bands such as Rancid and The Clash. Then, I got older stuff like No Cash and Choking Victim. I only really got super-into Pop-Punk in my mid-teens when I saw other local acts (and the scene that was growing at the time).

Lloyd: Bands I grew up with are Bon Jovi, McFly, Guns N’ Roses, Whitesnake; Foo Fighters, Metallica; AC/DC…bands that let guitarists express themselves, musically, and inspired generations of guitarists.

Matt: I’ve been into Pop-Punk my entire life - without realising it until I got older. My dad set me up with an iPod and bought me Dookie when I was about five or six, and I couldn’t get enough. Only when I turned sixteen, though, was when I really got into it; starting with Blink-182 as a gateway, then diving into the genre and finding the likes of Neck Deep, ROAM; A Day to Remember, Sum 41 and countless more. Ironically, (these bands are) all of which I have been to see live, aside Green Day - the first Pop-Punk band I ever listened to.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

Sol: We have some plans for a tour in the works for July. We also have a bunch of dates coming up - including a show at the Bobbin in Lancaster and one with Coast to Coast and Catch Fire at Satan's Hollow in Manchester, which we're super-excited about.

If anyone wants to know more, they can check out our Facebook page or Instagram for dates we have coming up. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff; so make sure you keep an eye out. We have some big gigs T.B.A.! 

27th March - Atomic, Wrexham

26th April - Satan’s Hollow, Manchester

1st June - the Salty Dog, Northwich

13th July - The Bobbin, Lancaster

If someone wanted to come and see you play – what could they expect? Does the band have an outrageous rider at all?!

Matt: We like to put on a show.

When we were first starting out, that’s was, easily, one of the things we always worked on as a group - and we love having a high-energy, pumped atmosphere between members. But, we love it when the crowd gets involved, too, and that’s what we always work towards at every show.

Sol: I don't think we've ever been in a position to demand an outrageous rider: free beers and bottled water are always nice.

What do you all hope to achieve in 2018?

It would be nice to have some people listening to and enjoying the music we made. We’ve worked really hard on this E.P., so it would be nice to know that other people like it as much as we do.

Matt: 2018, already, is off to an overwhelming start. The response to Headache has been insane - and it’s only the tip of the iceberg. I’d really like to see people enjoying our music and telling us what it’s done for them. A personal goal would be to get on bigger support slots/tours and, maybe, get a European date?!

Promoters, if you’re out there...you know where to find us!

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Keep your chin up high. It’s a very competitive market, so don’t think anything of it when you get rejected for something you wanted...because it literally happens to everyone. Just make sure you’re working the hardest you can and you’ll soon get going in no time.

There’s always another opportunity waiting...

IN THIS IMAGE: The artwork for Wolfpeake's Strings/ART CREDIT: Lucy Ball

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Sol: Our friends in Wolfpeake are doing some really cool stuff right now. They're defo worth checking out.

Do you all get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I think playing music is how I unwind. Hopefully, that won’t change if things start getting a bit more serious for us.

Matt: Holding up a full-time job alongside this is, honestly, the hard part; so I have to agree with Sol and say this is how I unwind. There's something about playing live shows that you can’t get from anything else - which keeps me on my toes…

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Sol: The Wonder Years - When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong

Matt: ROAM - Over Your Head

Lloyd: Guns N’ Roses – Mr. Brownstone

Seb: Neck Deep - Staircase Wit

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Follow Fight for Friday

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/fightforfriday/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Fight_ForFriday

BandCamp:

https://fightforfridaymusic.bandcamp.com/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBToW6X_VUPfl4maj_GinxQ

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/19pGz5zDDUtfh7jjzJWVhH

INTERVIEW: Mica Millar

INTERVIEW:

Mica Millar

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FEW artists dedicate their songwriting time…

to recognising heroes in society. Mica Millar’s The Defender points the spotlight towards the stalwarts out there. She talks to me about the song and the project she has underway; what it was like working with Goldie on the recording; whether there is new material coming later this year – why her current song has a very personal and revelatory quality.

Millar recommends a new artist and reveals what she does away from music; what she hopes to achieve in the remainder of this year; how important Soul music is to her – she tells me when music came into her life.

__________

Hi, Mica. How are you? How has your week been?

It's been a very busy week with lots of ups and downs, to be honest – but, overall, it's been productive!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

My name’s Mica Millar. I'm a songwriter and vocalist from Manchester. 

The Defender is your new track. What is the background of the track? 

I wrote the song around ten years ago. It's been performed and produced in quite a few different versions, but I started developing it in the last two years for my forthcoming album. It's one of the songs I've always wanted to release. I worked on the recording, production and arrangement and then sent it to Goldie and James Davidson (together, known as Subjective), who loved it and said they would work on some additional production and mixing for me.

I believe Goldie was part of the recording! Was it pretty cool working alongside him?

Goldie is an amazing artist and it was a real privilege to have him work on the track with his engineer James. He really helped take the track to another level.

The Defender has another aim: to raise awareness for societal heroes. What was the reason for spotlighting this area? Have you had an experience where you have helped a stranger – or being aided by one?

This song was, to some degree, about me doubting humanity and questioning why people weren't more empathetic. Ten years after writing it, I now know that when people seem to show a lack of empathy, the reasons are very complex - it's not as simple and good and bad. I wanted the campaign to explore those complexities and tell stories of empathy.

When people help or save someone they don't even know; to me, this is one of the best examples of empathy - despite any ideas about self-preservation, not wanting to ‘get involved’. Some people in the world will act selflessly to help others. 

I'm going to be releasing my own story about being saved by strangers in a video online soon - so you'll have to wait for that one, I'm afraid.

The music video for The Defender seems like a very personal and important collaboration. Tell me more about it…

I decided I wanted the music video to incorporate people who had experienced saving or being saved by a stranger - to talk about empathy and discuss how social, cultural; political and psychological factors impact human behaviour. I think it's both a fascinating and very important topic. I collaborated with director Simon Brooks on the music video - and with an amazing team who are working on the documentary with me.

Is there going to be more material coming before the end of the year?

I'm recording my album in May and I hope to release it soon! There will be more another single later this year, though, which I'm really excited about.

Do you feel you have entered a new creative phase as an artist? Are there any similarities between who you are now and who you were at the start of your career? 

I think, as an artist, you're always developing. At the core of my music is me, because I've always written honest songs. My view of the world has of course developed - but I'm the same person.

When did music enter your life? Which artists did you grow up around? 

My dad is a musician - so there's always been music in my life. When I was about seven, my auntie gave me her old record player. I remember my mum and dad discussing which three records I should have. They choose Stevie Wonder, The Beatles and The Beach Boys.

I can't remember which albums they were but they were absolutely the foundation of my introduction to music.

How important is Soul music, past and present, and the heroes/heroines of the genre?

To me, Soul and Gospel music is at the root of all music, so it's fundamental above any other genre. Since I started listening to Stevie Wonder at seven-years-old, I think I became attuned to that kind of spiritual, soulful music and, even as a child with Hits ‘95 or whatever, the songs that were influenced by Gospel and Soul were my favourites. When I hear old Motown records, it just doesn't get any better than that for me.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

I'm doing three single launches for The Defender: 4th April at Band on the Wall in Manchester; 8th April at Leaf on Bold Street in Liverpool and 10th April at The Wardrobe in Leeds. I'll be performing with my ten-piece band, which I'm really excited about. For the first time, I've added violin, cello and guitar to the line-up - so it's going to be a much bigger show this time!

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

I'm going to record my first album in May; so that's my main aim for 2018, which will be a huge accomplishment for me. I'm going into the studio with Lewis Hopkin, who I was introduced to by Goldie. His passion for my music and energy is absolutely amazing; so, I feel really positive about how the outcome will be.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

There are so many - it's always a bit of a rollercoaster. But, from the past year; I think finishing (the year) performing with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (to represent BBC Introducing) was a big highlight.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I think authenticity is really important. Be who you are: don't compare yourself to other people. Just focus on what you're doing, support other people and, most importantly, enjoy the journey!

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I played a show at iluvlive in London last week and I saw a very young artist called Tora - who is an incredible vocalist and songwriter. She hasn't released any music yet, but you should watch this space. Some people are just outstanding…and she is one of them.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I don't get that much time to chill during a release period because I do everything independently; including releasing my music and putting on my own shows. I've actually just started having hypnotherapy for relaxation and it's amazing.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Aretha Franklin - You Send Me

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Follow Mica Millar

Official:

http://www.micamillar.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/MicaMillarMusic/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/mica_millar

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mica_millar/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3u7WZTVUhTgjSKrlqzPfs9

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/micamillar

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/MicaMillar

INTERVIEW: Dame Jean

INTERVIEW:

Dame Jean

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SO many things strike the senses…

when approached with Dame Jean. The band have a determination and passion few others do; their music sounds like nothing out like there; there is a clear connection within the ranks. I speak to the guys about their debut single, Wasted Love, and what its story is. The band has no social media presence at the moment – they explain the reason behind that.

I ask what gigs they have coming up and what they have planned regarding new material; some new artists we need to get involved with; why humour is important to them – they end the interview with some great song selections.

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Hi, Dame Jean. How are you? How has your week been?

Tired, excited; broody…

We’re thinking of adopting now we’ve released a single.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

Of course. We are a four-piece sickly, surfy; dysfunctional Rock band from all over the place who writes our own songs and play them to beautiful people.

Wasted Love is your new song. Can you reveal the inspiration behind the song?

Sammy: It was written, cathartically, during a pretty nasty break-up. It’s very spiteful, honest and bitter - but I needed to find a way to purge a lot of bad emotions quickly before they took me to a worse place and this song, for a time, let me do that.

It is the debut cut. Has it been quite exciting releasing that first song? Will there be more material arriving?

Yeah. It’s a really exciting time for us at the moment. We’ve got so much we want to do and show people, though: from crazy stuff we’ve done in the studio that can't be recreated live and messed-up videos. We had our launch-party the other night and shot the video for the next single - which will follow Wasted Love very soon.

How did the band get together? What is the inspiration behind that name, too?

We all went to the same uni, but we were in different years or courses and a strange series of events brought us together.

With regards to the name: it’s a combination of Sammy’s love for James Dean and a comment on the frequent confusion people seem to have with his sexuality and gender.

It seems like you have a love of artists from the 1960s and 1970s. Who did you all grow up listening to?

As a band, we all have a very diverse music taste, but seem to all have an overlapping interest in the more weird and wonderful cult artists of our time.  

I have to ask about the lack of social media pages – that has garnered some raised eyebrows. Is there a reason behind this?

We didn’t feel like we’ve seen much benefit from using things like Facebook in other small bands in the past. Practically every person/new band is on there - which is great, for some reasons. But, when the state of the music industry isn’t too peachy, and the way society communicates is pretty poor, it doesn’t make sense to keep doing the same thing.

It says a lot how surprised people are because a small band like Dame Jean don’t have a Facebook page and can still function. Social media didn’t exist when any of the bands we love were around anyway. That might be a post hoc ergo propter hoc mentality but it’s worth a shot…and so far, is going okay.

Might we see a Facebook or Twitter account forming at some point?!

If we can’t get our music out there, and it’s obviously because of our lack of Facebook/Twitter, then we will find us some edible hats…

Then, we'd get over it like we all did with MySpace (sad-face emoji).  

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

We’re playing The Pig and Fiddle in Bath on 19th; Fiddlers Club (Bristol) on 4th of May with Wayne Hussey (from The Mission). Then, we’ve got Camden Rocks in June. Though, we’re constantly booking shows and will keep everyone updated via our website.

If someone wanted to come and see you play – what could they expect? Does the band have an outrageous rider at all?!

We don’t really get riders…but, if we did, we’d probably just ask for money or emotional stability. Live, we feed off each other and drink wine until one of us gets too excited and/or something stops working. The wine usually makes its way around the crowd, too, and it’s super-gross; so you can probably expect to catch something, too.

What do you all hope to achieve in 2018?

We’re hoping to get around and play to as many people as possible - and we are releasing an E.P.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Honestly, we’re probably at the same stage; so all we could ask for is to (just) support other bands and help make your music scene as healthy as possible; the odds are stacked, so stick together and enjoy it.  

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Swimming Girls, George Glew and Novatines.  

IN THIS PHOTO: George Glew

Do you all get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Between working and Dame Jean, our free time is mainly dedicated to sleep - but we all hang out a lot, listen to sad music and cuddle.

Looking at some of your ‘reviews’; it seems like you have a self-deprecating and humorous approach. Is it important, to the band, to keep things light?

We think so: there’s no point in taking yourself too seriously. We take music very seriously and our music means a lot to us, but we’re only doing it because it makes us happy. If you’re too precious, it’s not going to be as enjoyable - and the whole thing loses meaning.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Cigarettes After Sex - Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby

Supergrass - Caught By the Fuzz

Courtney Barnett - Nameless, Faceless

Sharon Van Etten - Every Time the Sun Comes Up

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Follow Dame Jean 

Official:

https://www.damejean.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dame_jean/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3jt4nrztXGhdWZ7vOT4JMT

PHOTOS:

Micaela McLucas

INTERVIEW: Goan Dogs

INTERVIEW:

Goan Dogs

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NOT only does their name intrigue me…

that music gets into the head and fascinates the senses! I have been chatting with Goan Dogs about their new single, Passing Through, and what the story behind it is. They tell me about that unique name and what we can expect from their upcoming E.P., Roll the Dice.

I discover the music and inspirations that drive the band; how the band got together; how a typical song comes together for them; what it was like filming the video for Passing Through – they provide helpful guidance for artists coming through.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Very good; very cold.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We’re five Bristol boys, born and bred, making delicious psych-infused Rock-Pop.

Passing Through is your new single. What is the story behind the song?

It’s about passing through life. The feeling that life is short, even if it doesn’t feel it sometimes - so don’t waste it, you idiot. We can’t all be lucky enough to have a ‘nice life’ but, if you’re able to recognise the things that will make it richer, then you should bloody well make an effort to seize them.

Talk to me about the song’s video. Whose concept/idea was it? Was it interesting shooting it?

We’re lucky enough to have a talented film-maker in Sam Powell. We all contribute ideas but he and Theo Mackie (who directed this one) are the driving force who actually get it done. Then, our friend Adam Stocker comes along with a lush camera and even more great ideas and makes us look like professionals.

We, basically, came up with images that fit the lyrics (literally) and images that fit the vibe and mashed it together as raucously as possible. We wanted to have even more fun than we usually do making videos - so we didn’t choreograph that much this time. A lot of it was on-the-fly; turning up at people’s houses, putting them in fancy dress; shouting ‘action’ and moving on.

The song is taken from the E.P., Roll the Dice. What sort of things do you discuss and cover in the course of the E.P.?

 Throwing phones in the sea, minor misdemeanours; inappropriate thoughts and living.

How did Goan Dogs get together? Was the bond quite an instant one?

We’re a mix of primary school friends, or secondary schools friends or college friends; overlapping in some complex way we can’t quite remember. We love d*cking about together and love playing music – so, it was probably always just going to happen.

PHOTO CREDIT: Alex Rawson Photography

Is there a reason for that name at all?!

Mangy, stray dogs on beaches. In Goa. It’s a thing: they’re everywhere.

Do you all pitch in when it comes to songwriting? How would a typical Goan Dogs song come together?

We’ve settled into a pretty comfortable pattern where Luke comes up with something, brings it to the band; gets torn apart and put back together again. Sometimes, they’re nearly good to go but, usually, they get reworked a lot by all of us. The best feeling is when we’re on all on the same page and just excited to get it out there.

Which musician did you all grow up on? Can you each remember the first album you ever bought?

I don’t think we all share a single musician growing up, but you can draw your conclusions from our first-ever music purchases with our own money. Beat It by Michael Jackson, Return of the Mac by Mark Morrison; Who Let the Dogs Out? by the Baha Man, The Bends by Radiohead and Praise You by Fatboy Slim.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

Yeah, you can - and you should! In March, we’re playing the Boileroom in Guildford on 28th; 60 Million Postcards in Bournemouth on 29th; Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen (London) on 30th and Thekla on 31st.

How important is it to you, as a band, to get your music on the road? Is the stage somewhere you all feel comfortable?

Very important. We’ve all been in love with bands growing up where the show is what it’s all about. We’re also big fans of studio wizardry, so we have a great time during the production process. But we found out, very early on, that we like to dance around on stage, get sweaty and put on D.I.Y. light shows. Give the people what they want.

T-shirt cannon anyone?

What do you all hope to achieve in 2018?

An album under our belt would be the bee’s knees. We’ve got plans for more E.P.s, though, because we keep writing tunes that we’re incredibly proud of (and feel like singles to us). So, maybe just worldwide recognition in 2018. That would be nice.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

It’s a bit local, but the Cube Cinema in Bristol put on a fundraiser a while back to buy itself - and we joined the line-up at Bristol Old Vic. As a band that has been on our fair share of tiny, grotty stages it was amazing. Also; achieving our major ambition of playing Glastonbury Festival in 2017.

Our next ambition is to play it again.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Make sure you love doing it so you can press on in times of dire financial straits. Also, people in the industry are all-talk but some mean it; so try and figure out who’s genuine and romance them. Lastly, expect totally contradictory advice from industry insiders if you ask what your next steps moving forward should be. Everyone knows everything and nothing.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

We all like to unwind by going to a nice relaxing day job.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Rum and Coca-Cola by The Andrews Sisters

My Best Friend’s Girl by The Cars

Strangers by Sigrid

Lying Has to Stop by Soft Hair

Move On by Charlotte Dos Santos

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Follow Goan Dogs

Official:

http://www.goandogs.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/goandogsband

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/@goandogs

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/goandogs/

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/goandogs

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKWiEnRuUIAXmatYY5APxAg

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0FEe8sSnxDKKbSzOTRcnxq

INTERVIEW: Aleem

INTERVIEW:

Aleem

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FORMERLY based out of Chicago…

it seems things are getting better and better for the L.A. artist, Aleem. I have been speaking with him about the current single, Stranger Things. He talks about his progression and supporting Fifth Harmony; whether he will come to the U.K. and play over here this year; the artists he was raised on – and, whether there is a healthy music market in Chicago.

I was curious to discover what advice he would give to new artists; the three albums that mean the most to him; some new artists worth checking out; what his ambitions are for the rest of the year – he finishes the interview with one of his favourite songs.

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Hi, Aleem. How are you? How has your week been?

I’ve been great, thanks!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I’m a singer/songwriter from Chicago - and I have just recently toured with Little Mix and Fifth Harmony (these past couple of years).  

 

Stranger Things is your new single. What can you reveal about its story and creation?

Stranger Things is a love song about accepting one’s past.

The story behind the song came from a relationship I was in where I could tell my significant other was hurt and jaded from her past relationships. This was causing her to shut off and build up a wall because she was scared that her past might come up and ruin the present. The song is, basically, me shouting out saying that I accept wherever she is coming from - and that it wouldn't take away from what we have. 

Your previous single, So Damn Good, was well-received and accrued many millions of Spotify streams. Did that give you the confidence to keep pushing?

It’s incredibly humbling to see your hard work to get recognized in that honor. My job is to write stories that people can relate to. I’m extremely ecstatic and honored that so many around the world were able to connect with my songs. 

Will there be more material to come? What are you working on at the moment?

Most definitely! I’m currently in the studio writing and recording new stuff!

You have a mix of sun-kissed tones and R&B sounds. Which artists did you grow up listening to? Were you raised in a musical household?

I’m actually the only one in my entire family that has any sort of musical talent. To this day, my family is confused on where my talent came from. I have three main artists that I am truly inspired by and model my craft around: I’m a huge fan of Bruno Mars, The Script and John Mayer. 

Chicago is where you are based. What is the music scene like there? Is Illinois quite a varied and busy musical state?

Unfortunately, Chicago doesn't have much of a Pop scene: the city is well known for its Jazz and Gospel roots. I was fortunate to get my start in Chicago learning about the industry and working on my craft – but, it wasn’t until I moved to Los Angeles that really helped kick-start my career. 

Previously; you have opened for Fifth Harmony. Was it quite a daunting moment – or did you learn quite a lot from that experience?!

It was an epic experience. Even though it was my first-ever arena run, I’d say the results were incredible! I enjoyed every moment. You learn so much about yourself as an artist when you get an opportunity to play on such huge stages. The game is completely changed and the stakes are much higher.

I loved the challenge of being an unknown act and introducing myself to thousands of new fans! Both the Fifth Harmony and Little Mix tours were absolutely insane!

IN THIS PHOTO: Bazzi

Who are the new artists you recommend we check out?

Bazzi is pretty awesome right now, as well as Marshmellow.

IN THIS PHOTO: Marshmellow

If you had to choose the three albums that mean the most to you; which would they be and why?

They would come from my three favorite artists: 24K Magic - Bruno Mars; Continuum - John Mayer and The Script’s self-titled (first) album. These albums were extremely cutting-edge when they were released in their respective times. Each song on each album has a purpose. It’s not just collections of songs: each album tells a story and takes you on a journey. 

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

I’m pretty excited to be putting some U.K. dates of my own together very soon! 

Do you like performing in the U.K.?

I love performing here. It’s one of the most passionate fan bases I’ve witnessed – I love every single time I’m back. 

What do you hope to achieve, personally, in 2018?

I hope to continue to be able to share my music around the world. I love being able to get in the studio and work on my craft - and then be able to travel and play my music live and put on a show. 

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

I think, overall, that feeling of when you know you have something good while working in the studio. There’s a certain energy in the room that overcomes you when you know you are recording something that will make a mark out there. I love that feeling.  

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Stay rehearsed! You never know when or where your opportunity will come from. Stay hungry and ready to pounce when that door opens up. 

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Drops of Jupiter - Train. One of my all-time favorite songs! 

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Follow Aleem

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AleemMusic

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/aleemmusic

 Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/aleemmusic/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/Aleemmusic

BLACK-AND-WHITE PHOTOS:

Doug Seymour

INTERVIEW: WILDFIRES

INTERVIEW:

WILDFIRES

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MANCHESTER is a part of the world…

I am always keen to explore. I have been speaking with WILDFIRES about the city and why there are such strong connections among musicians. They discuss their new track, Mr Solo, and how it came together; what they have planned regards material/touring – what music they are all inspired by.

I ask whether there are new artists we should be aware of; how stunning vocals (from Poppy-Jo) add to their musical beauty; what it was like recording at Medicine Room Studios; how the band got together; if they get any time off from music – the guys all select a song to end the interview.

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Hi, WILDFIRES. How are you? How has your week been?

How’s it going!? We’re amazing! Our week has been pretty mega. We got played on BBC Radio 6 Music on Saturday and again yesterday on the BBC Introducing Mixtape - so it’s very hard not to be smiling!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We’re a four-piece Manchester band consisting of Poppy-Jo on Vocals, Ste Darling on Guitar; Nath on Bass and Si James on Drums. We like to think that we’re a bit new, a bit different and, maybe, bring a sound that people haven’t really heard before. We mix twangy guitar sounds with electronic synths to create a sort-of ‘Indie-Electro’ vibe.

Mr Solo is your latest song. Is there a story behind the song?

Everyone that has heard it has interpreted Mr Solo in so many different ways. A lot of people characterise Mr Solo and, for them, the song’s about this lonely guy that shuts himself off from the world. It actually has a bit of a deeper meaning and kind of says that we are all ‘Mr Solo’ in our own ways – so we’re all in it together.

The vocal beauty and strong production makes it an instant, yet deep, song. It mixes dirty and refined. Was that a conscious decision?

Absolutely. We’re aware of Poppy-Jo’s husky vocals - and we love to use that to our advantage by contrasting it against all the other stuff we have going on. We, originally, wrote the track all on synth but, to make it sound more ‘us’ and less dancey; we developed the chords on our instruments. It’s so fun to play for us - and we can imagine how much bigger it will be live!

What was it like working at Medicine Room Studios?

Medicine Room Studios is so cool. It’s a former elderly people’s home and the room we record in used to be the old medicine room – hence the name!  It’s obviously very creepy but it all adds to the ambience - and it’s a great story to tell…

Dom, who produced our track, is an absolute legend, too. He was so honest; contributed loads and really knew his stuff.  The man’s a genius!

Is there going to be new material coming later in the year?

Very soon, actually! We’re recording two new singles and, hopefully, will have an album by the end of this year. The next thing we have in line, though, is Mr Solo’s music video! We’ve just started the filming and there’s definitely going to be some surprises in store with that one – think Prodigy’s Smack My Bitch Up mixed with OK Go…we can’t wait to release it.

How did you all get together? When did WILDFIRES come to be?

We have the wonders of the Internet to thank for bringing us together. We met on a kind of dating website for musicians: Natural Music Selection, we say. Hahaha. The modern-day world, eh!

I hear everything from Nina Persson and Bombay Bicycle Club in your music. Which artists are you influenced by?

We actually all have very different music tastes in the band, which is amazing for influences (but a nightmare for the aux in the car. Haha!) We feel particularly influenced by bands like LCD Soundsystem, The xx and, in lyrical ways, Guy Garvey and Amy Winehouse. We’re all so passionate about music, that elements from our songs can be heard from all different genres...from Electronic/Dance, right through to heavy Rock!

Manchester must be a great place to create music! What is the city like for artists?

It’s definitely competitive, but the atmosphere is unreal on the music scene: Manchester’s never lost that. Every time we gig we make new friends or networks; whether it’s other bands or (just) the people that get chatting to you after you’ve played. Manchester has so much history, especially in music, so we can’t even express how proud we are not only to be to be born here, but to be creating our music here too

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

We actually have nothing set in stone yet - as we’re focussing on writing and perfecting our set-list. The idea of people being familiar with our songs when they come to watch us is really important to us - but we’re also in a hurry to get back out there, so keep your eyes peeled very soon!

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

We just want to get our name out there a bit more, you know!? We work so hard at this like so many other bands, and to gain recognition from it would be so fulfilling. Every new person that listens to our music (and enjoys it) is a massive achievement for us.

Anything after that is (just) a bonus!

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Our favourite memory is probably when we played a tiny pub in Stockport called The Blossoms - where the band got their name. It was a tiny gig but felt massive because of how packed this little room was! We accidentally went too Rock and Roll for our own good and got a bit merry on stage so, by the end, we were just going mental with all these people dancing in this tiny pub – it was like a rave that just played our own music. Hahaha

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Stick to your guns and believe in yourself. Very cliché, but it’s something we live by! By all mean, take on criticism and listen to those that know their stuff – but, instinct and confidence is the key.

Don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you love...

IN THIS PHOTO: Freeda

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

A fellow Manchester band (sorry, we back our own round ‘ere!) called Freeda (from Mossley). Really up-and-coming sound - and some proper bangers to have a dance to!

Do you all get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Truthfully? No! hahaha. We never stop! We all work full-time as well, as a band so, whenever we’re not at work, we’re writing/jamming/blogging. It’s like having a business: keeping the website, the social media up to date - it’s all very important to keep us fresh in people’s minds while we write!  On the rare occasion that we do get some time to wind-down; it’s always at the pub with a crisp cold pint of Guinness. Standard.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Poppy-Jo: Take a Slice - Glass Animals

Ste: Rip It Up - Orange Juice

Nathan: Chateau - Angus & Julia Stone

Si: Gravity - John Mayer

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Follow WILDFIRES 

Official:

https://www.wildfires.band/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/wildfiresmanchester/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/WildfiresMCR

 Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/wildfiresofficial/

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/wildfiresofficial

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4S4mc0oedPFeb8ULyudijY

INTERVIEW: Towers and Trees

INTERVIEW:

 PHOTO CREDIT: Foxx Foto 

Towers and Trees

___________

ADRIAN of Tower and Trees…

has been telling me about the band’s new single, Head Down/Heart Up. I ask how they got together and why they went on a hiatus. Adrian discusses their tastes and a fond, recent memory; what gigs they have coming up; if there is going to be more material coming this year – if the U.K. is going to be part of their touring plans.

I was curious to know why the band got back together (after their break) and, if they could choose any artists to support, which would that be – the guys each pick a song to end the interview with.

__________

Hi, Towers and Trees. How are you? How has your week been?

Great! Any week you release new music is a good week - and the response from our fans, and others, to Head Down/Heart Up has been really inspiring.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

Towers and Trees is an Indie Pop-Rock band from Victoria, British Columbia on Canada’s Pacific Coast. We are Adrian Chalifour (Lead Singer-Songwriter), Dave ‘Shredlinsky’ Zellinsky (Lead Guitar); Dave Arter (Bass) and Jesse Boland (Drums).

...This is Adrian answering the questions today…

T&T started in 2013 as a solo, home-recording project but quickly ‘grew up’ into a full-band when our first single, Montreal, became a surprise local radio hit and we played our first live shows. Those early performances were electric with raw energy and chemistry - and we all quickly realized there was magic in the collective.

Head Down/Heart Up is your new single. Can you reveal the background of the song?

That phrase, ‘head down, heart up’, started as my mantra of sorts during a time of change and uncertainty: we had just decided as a band to go on indefinite hiatus; Jesse (our drummer) announced he was moving across the country; literally, days later; my girlfriend and I found out we were expecting our first baby and, meanwhile, the entire world seemed to be going a little bonkers with Brexit, the refugee-crisis; the Trump presidency, etc.

It was a lot to process at once - and my head became a very unpleasant place for a while. Head Down/Heart Up was my reminder to turn the damn volume knob in my head down and trust my heart to take the wheel. I hope in these noisy, uncertain times; that's a message that resonates with a lot of people.

It seems like the band was not going to return – a hiatus compelled by life events and changes. It seems like you were all in different places. Did you all feel there was no option but put things on-hold?

Putting the project on-hiatus was the best decision we could have made. For a number of reasons, we were all burning out: constant line-up changes in the band, the rollercoaster of making a deeply personal album and watching it fail to gain industry or commercial traction; all the simple, practical challenges of being a professional band on the far West Coast of Canada.

When you start taking out the frustration on each other, at some point, you have to ask: ‘Is this worth it? Is there a vision here?’. The short answer was ‘no’, but there was a sense that, if we put it down now before the damage was permanent, maybe we’d find a reason to pick it up again...

PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Leung

What provoked the decision to come back together? Do you feel renewed and repurposed now?

The hiatus was like releasing a valve - and a lot of those big life changes came bursting out right after the decision. Jesse moved to Toronto, Shred started his side project, MIND, and launched a sex app called BedBeats (seriously); Dave went back to school - and I became a father. Quite quickly, after that initial release, the creative chemistry just drew us together again. I started sharing demos from Germany to Jesse in Toronto (and the Daves in Victoria) and, eventually, there was enough there that it was like: ‘Okay…do we do this?’.

The break was important, but the piece that really makes a next chapter possible is a renewed vision. Vision is what can keep you on course when it gets hard or crazy or messy, which it will and fast.

Is there more material coming along? May we see an E.P. soon?

We’ve recorded three songs with producer Ryan Worsley that we’re very excited about. Our hope is to use those three to find a label, grant funding: whatever we need to finish making the record. We decided to release H.D.H.U. now to give our fans a sense of what this next chapter is about and make some new fans along the way - but we may sit on the others for a little while until some of those other pieces land.

Do you remember when music came into your lives? What made you all realise music was where you wanted to be?

Each of us will have a different answer but, for me, I remember hearing U2’s Joshua Tree album for the first time at twelve and thinking: ‘This is what music can be’. I realize U2 is quite a polarizing influence to cite but the fact that they could create songs that felt so big, and yet so earnest and close to the chest, felt very important and vital to me.

Every T&T song starts from the heart and, if it can inspire people to lower their guard and connect in a meaningful way, even just for a moment; I feel like it’s done its job.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up? Will you come and play over in the U.K. at all? Do you like British music?

We have tour dates here on our home turf of Western Canada and a fly-out to Canadian Music Week in Toronto - but nothing on the International map quite yet. Touring Western Europe and the U.K. is an explicit high-priority for us…so we’re casting a lot of lines across the pond right now and hopeful one will catch soon.

If you had the chance to support any artist, and have any rider, who and what would that entail?

I think we’d have to go with Peter Gabriel.

Our guitar player, Shred, is responsible for properly introducing me to his genius and, while we represent a wide and disparate range of musical influences in this band, I think Peter Gabriel is one we could all land on musically, creatively and as a songwriter. Our rider would contractually obligate Peter and Tony Levin to have beers and jam with us every off-day of the tour.

PHOTO CREDIT: Adam Lee

While it may not be obvious on H.D.H.U.; a lot of the new music we’re working on is, actually, heavily influenced by mid-late-1980s Peter Gabriel.

What do you all hope to achieve in 2018?

If we can keep our heads down, hearts up - and keep working hard to get our music in front of people - we’ll be happy (smiles).

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

There was this great moment on day one of this latest recording session. We’re back in the band van together for the first time since going on hiatus; it’s five-thirty in the morning and we’re heading to catch the ferry boat from Vancouver Island, where we live, to the recording studio in Vancouver. Our guitarist, Shred, pulls out a Go-Pro; mounts it on the dashboard and declares, with gravitas, to the group: “Guys, I’ve decided to shoot footage of this entire weekend for a mini-documentary I’m working on…”

Suddenly, the Go-Pro beeps loudly and the light turns red and, without missing a beat, he adds: “At least I was until the battery died just now.” We all started laughing that uncontrollable, sleep-deprived bell-laughter - and I realized I hadn’t laughed this hard since the last time we were together in our van. It was a simple, yet brilliant, affirmation that we’d made the right choice to do this.   

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

As under-qualified as an obscure, fully-independent Indie band from the far corner of Canada is to give advice… (Smiles).

I suppose I’d encourage new artists to define and own the ‘why’ of their music; define and own the parameters of your success. In the absence of that, you can become like straw in the wind in this business.

I’ve watched a number of peers contort their art to fit some industry mould-of-the-day; get no further ahead (by it) and lose their identity in the process. We may not have ‘made it’ - but, every time we pick up our instruments, we know exactly why we’re doing what we do.

IN THIS PHOTO: Luca Fogale

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Luca Fogale is an artist from Vancouver B.C. who we participated/competed in a big radio contest a few years ago. Luca’s another artist who puts his heart at the very forefront of his music - and it’s lovely to experience. We occupy very different spaces, musically, but I feel like our hearts speak the same language.

Do you all get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

We’re lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet on Vancouver Island; so, you’re never more than fifteen minutes away from a hike in the woods, a jog along the ocean or even a swim (if you’re brave). Our last album was called The West Coast - and draws heavily from this place.

That said; we could probably stand to ‘chill’ a little more than we do right now.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Shred (Lead Guitarist): The Man by The Killers

I can attest to this, definitely, being Shred’s jam lately

​​​​​​​

Dave Arter (Bass): Want You Back by HAIM

This album will get played a LOT in our tour van (starting next week).

Jesse (Drums): Knocking at the Door by Arkells

Arkells are, probably, the best live band in Canada right now - and have worked hard to earn every bit of that title

Adrian: Okay; so, everyone went with party jams but, since I pumped his tires earlier, I’m sticking with Luca Fogale and his latest: I Don’t Want to Lose You

Thanks!

__________

Follow Towers and Trees

 PHOTO CREDIT: Foxx Foto  

Official:

http://towersandtreesmusic.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/towersandtrees

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/towersandtrees

 Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/towersandtrees/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/TowersandTrees

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3zdjzc65ABpa19hemstNC6

INTERVIEW: OYLS

INTERVIEW:

OYLS

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THE sensational duo of…

OYLS have been talking about their eponymous E.P. – and the video for the single, In the Light. I ask how they got together and whether David and Michael have a favourite cut from the E.P. They look ahead at gigs and a possible trip to the U.K.; some of the new artists we need to listen to – and, what they hope to accomplish this year.

I ask whether OYLS get chance to unwind away from music; what the scene in L.A. is like right now; whether they have favourite memories from music – providing useful and constructive advice for new artists coming through.

__________

Hi, OYLS. How are you? How has your week been?

Pretty good: like, a seven-out-of-ten. Maybe a little better, but I don’t want to bring decimals into this interview…kind of in a weird mood. I don’t have the words to explain it, but I hope we don’t come off as d*cks or as disinterested. Just feeling a little preoccupied - that’s all. We’re mostly very nice people...

Mostly.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We are David and Michael. We’ve been best friends since high-school and we started making OYLS music together about five years ago. We’re both really neurotic/anal people; so it took us a really long time to make this E.P.

We’re gonna try to be faster next time...

In the Light is your recent single. What is the story behind the song?

Hmm…there isn’t really a story behind the song: there’s no real narrative there. The verses are a bunch of reflections on being detached and heady - and then a chorus that reflects moments of clarity and joy.

The video interests me. Whose concept was it? What do you think of it?

Haha. We’re glad you found it interesting.

One of our best friends is a really talented filmmaker (Alex Median). The concept was his. We really love it. We can say that because we didn't make it. It’s a really incredible feeling to have made something that inspired someone else to make something.

Your eponymous E.P. just came out. Are there stories and themes that in inspired the songwriting?

There’s a lot of coming-of-age stuff in there. We were recently out of college when we started making it (five years ago). It has a lot to do with uncertainty - and the self-talk that gets you through such uncharted waters of new adulthood.

The debut track, Maps, was a huge success. Did that surprise you?! Why do you think so many responded to it?

Oooof. Don’t know about huge success, but it’s definitely been our biggest track so far. It totally surprised us. We went from having under one-thousand streams to 40,000 in one night. It was out of the blue, about a month after the track was released. So; we’re not totally sure why this song connects the way it has. It’s really hard to have perspective on our own songs.

But, we do have memories of first writing it and feeling like we had struck something really special.

Do you each have a standout track from OYLS? Which one stands out for each of you?

Michael: I come back to 10th Song the most.

David: Ghosts is a favorite of mine, in a kinda self-indulgent way.  We make music we love but, at the same time, we always do our best to remain aware that, ultimately, the music we make is for everyone else to, hopefully, enjoy. Ghosts is where we just let loose. We have a chaotic guitar solo, weird harmonies; heavy percussion and a pervasive angst that we just rolled with. I still hope everyone likes it though!

Take me back to the start. How did you meet and form the duo? What were you each doing before you found one another?

We first met at the end of high-school through mutual friends. I was getting ready to leave for my freshman year of college and David had one more year of high-school. We really clicked, both as friends and as musicians. It took another four years before we would start making OYLS music, though.

L.A. seems like a great place to make music. Is the city constantly compelling and influential?

Definitely, definitely, definitely.

Well; we live in pretty opposite parts of L.A. (We’re about an hour from each other on a good day). David lives out in the West Valley surrounded by rolling hills and a lot of untouched nature. It’s quiet and suburban. I’m in Koreatown, which is close to downtown Los Angeles - and is the most densely-populated part of the city. Developers are currently building three-hundred units next door. So; we get two very different versions of L.A.

The city offers a lot creatively - and takes a lot, too. There’s an incredible amount of art and creativity everywhere. So much to be inspired by. But; there’s also a manic energy to the place that can be overstimulating.

Do you share the same tastes in music? Which artists did you grow up on?

Michael: Nope. Hahaha. There’s some overlap. But, I grew up on Funk/Motown/R&B/Jazz.

David: Jazz is definitely an overlap. (Charles) Mingus is a personal favorite. My mom introduced me to (David) Bowie, and my dad, the Ramones, The Clash etc. I listened (and still do) to a lot of Cursive, of Montreal; Wilco, Deerhoof and The Mars Volta. They balance chaos with moving melodies and that’s always impressed me.

Then, there’s Dr. Dre - who’s just an incredible producer and a huge inspiration.

What gigs do you have coming up? Where can we see you play?

We’re currently focused on writing our next E.P.; so the live shows are on a little pause. We’ll be back at it soon though.

Do you think you’ll visit the U.K. at all?

Oh, hell yeah. That would be a dream.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

We’d be really happy if we could finish another E.P. and do some touring. Would also be really nice to make some fat $$$$.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Michael: When our computer fried mid-show and the audience sang the words through the end of Maps…

David: Every time we’re provided a parking spot at the venue we’re performing at. After five years, it’s the little things.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I don’t think we’re quite qualified to give advice. Can we touch base in a couple years?!

IN THIS PHOTO: The Marias

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Loving The Marias and Disco Shrine - both out of Los Angeles. Also super-impressed by Ezra Furman and Gus Dapperton.

IN THIS PHOTO: Disco Shrine

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Michael: Definitely. I just got a puppy - so I’m spending a lot of time with him. Also, I just got engaged; so I’m spending some time planning wedding stuff. Not sure if that counts as unwinding, though...

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Parliament - P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)

David: Paranoiac Intervals/Body Dysmorphia by of Montreal is my jam right now. So fun.

__________

Follow OYLS

Official:

http://oylsband.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/oylsband

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/oylsband

 Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/oylsband/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpS2OkE30PLrslKyJ1J1RLw

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/oylsband

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Y6otYolYU5dUV798fTmgj

INTERVIEW: FRANKIIE

INTERVIEW:

FRANKIIE

___________

ONE can sense a real closeness…

and intuition in the camp of FRANKIIE. The Vancouver quartet talks to me about their current song, Glory Me, and what it was like putting it together. They tell me what comes next, material-wise, and what it was like working with Jason Corbett on their latest cut; if they have any touring dates cemented – if the U.K. is part of that...

They reveal how they came back from a possible break-up and why, now, they feel stronger than ever; why Vancouver is producing lots of great music; whether, they feel, there needs to be a greater focus on female artists – they take me back to the first days of FRANKIIE….

__________

Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

It’s been a great week! Lots of good band hangs. We’ve been in the studio finishing off the last tracks for our upcoming album.a

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We are a four-piece Dream-Rock band from Vancouver who has been at it for four years. We’ve got Francesca on Vocals and Guitar; Nashlyn on Vocals and Keys, Samantha on Bass and Zoe on Drums.

Glory Me is your new track. What is the background/story of the song?

That song was written by Fran after she got home late one night - and the words just kind of came flowing out. It’s really (just) a contemplation between being present and anticipating the afterlife.

The album of the same name is completed. Are there certain themes that tie the album together?

The album is actually not quite completed…

We are in the final stages of recording and mixing the last tracks. All the songs tend to centre on the feelings of a loss in direction, or contemplating meaning and purpose.

Is it true you worked alongside Jason Corbett on the record? What did he bring to the record?

He really brought a lot of laughter and fun-lovin’ times. Haha. He’s also got a really great ear and very awesome intuition about what to add or take away from each song. He also has a great sense of how we want to sound.

He can capture our true vibe while also pushing us to get it to the next level.

How did FRANKIIE get together? When did you all meet?

We came together as a band two weeks before our first show. Fran had a solo show booked and did a jam with Zoe. They realized it would be more fun to have keys and bass as well - and brought in Nash and Sam.

I understand you drifted apart and, after several E.P.s, wondered whether the group would survive. Was that a particularly tough time? What brought you all back together?!

After we put out our E.P.; we played a lot of shows around our hometown and did a bunch of D.I.Y. tours. It was really fun but, after a while, it got tough to keep the momentum up. We all had other things we wanted to explore as well and took some time to travel without each other. It turned out to be a very valuable time for our individual lives and, ultimately, re-energized us when we did start going for it again.

We never really stopped playing together entirely: we, mostly, (just) had a lull in momentum. Looking back at that time; it is probably a natural part of band life - though it was confusing at times.

You must be all looking ahead now. Do you feel you are stronger than you have ever been?

Yes, definitely! Working with Jason Corbett has really given us some fresh energy - as well as our new managers at Tiny Kingdom. Realizing that our team is building and that our songs are sounding better than they ever have before…we are really looking forward to getting back into playing again.

There is loads of great music coming from Vancouver. What is it about the city that produces so many great artists?!

Vancouver has a small community of artists but the ones that are in it seem to be really dedicated.

Our scene could probably, still, use some more collaborative energy - but it is definitely, slowly developing. More and more people are coming out to each other’s show and co-writing or co-producing. It’s really great. Plus; we also have the best mountains and ocean. If we ever need inspiration, it’s not hard to find it out in nature…

It was, recently, International Women’s Day. How important is it to raise awareness of female artists? Do you think there are changes coming into the industry?

It’s definitely an interesting time for women in the entertainment industry, overall. We haven’t really had a lot of issues so far being women in the music industry - and have actually found that people generally treat us as equals.

But; it is nice to have open conversations about some of the awkward things that do happen from time to time. It’s just a nicer environment for everyone when people are able to talk openly about what’s cool and what’s not cool.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

We are not planning extensive touring until we put out the full album in the late-summer/early-fall. Though out the summer, we will be playing shows and festivals around our home province and planning out the album release.

Will you come to the U.K. and tour here soon?

I really hope so! If any bookers out there are into some Dream-Rock vibes, please get in touch (smiles).

What do you all hope to achieve, personally, in 2018?

Mostly, we all seem to want to find balance and presence in both our individual lives and in our band lives. Sometimes things can seem overwhelming when we are working on both band life and on our own individual projects. For example, Zoe is recording drums this weekend and opening a new clothing store next week. We have to remember to stay in the moment when good things are happening (and not get ahead of ourselves).

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

It was pretty fun playing at the Todos Santos Music Festival in the Southern Baja of Mexico. We stayed for a week and rented out a place by the beach - did some surfing, sun tanning and drank a bunch of margaritas! The bands at the festival were so great. It was a rare opportunity to meet great bands from Mexico City as well. We hope we can get back down there someday!

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Our advice would be (just) jump in and start doing it! We definitely were not perfect when we first started - and we still aren’t. The only way to have fun playing music is to forget about perfection and go for it.

IN THIS PHOTO: Art d'Ecco

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Art d’Ecco, Peach Pit and LEATHERS!

IN THIS PHOTO: Peach Pit/PHOTO CREDIT: Lester Lyons-Hookham

Do you guys get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

We still all have day jobs or business to run right now. Haha. So, between that and music; there is not much time left over. We’re really hoping, at some point, we can take some time away from jobs and make music our full-time thing. Seems like we are getting closer to that reality…

At least for a while...

Finally, and for being good sports; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Glory Me is the only one out so far! We have a new single coming out the last week of April as well, so stay tuned!

__________

Follow FRANKIIE 

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/frankiietheband

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/frankiietheband

 Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/frankiietheband/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqt-mCLKKMpkrl9Sp2MFa-A

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/frankiietheband

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0iZJ9pd8Ld6jzdPYEXegYD

INTERVIEW: Lauren Ruth Ward

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Mara Stusser  

Lauren Ruth Ward

___________

THERE is a train of thought that suggests…

PHOTO CREDIT: Victoria Craven

solo artists, for the most part, try to fit into crowds and handy boxes. Whilst that might be true for many out there; songwriters like Lauren Ruth Ward defy convention and predictability – offering something truly special and spirited. I have been speaking to her about the video for Blue Collar Sex Kitten – a song that has garnered a lot of praise and focus. She talks about her debut album, Well, Hell – and, with tour dates forming, she plans on coming to the U.K.

Ward talks about the scene in L.A. – where she is based – and how it feels being compared to artists like Janis Joplin; what she has planned for the rest of this year; new artists worth a shout – ending the interview with a great song choice.

__________

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I am Lauren Ruth Ward; a musician from Baltimore, MD; currently residing in Los Angeles.

Blue Collar Sex Kitten is your new track. I like the video a lot! It mixes black-and-white vintage with a modern urgency. What is the background of the song?

We actually released (the track) Blue Collar Sex Kitten on May 1, 2017 - we recently released the music video. This song was very stream-of-consciousness for me. Its meaning is about who I am and how I see the world, mixed with some lighter lines. Everything came thru while allowing myself to just write and not think (too hard).

Well, Hell is your recent album. Were there particular events that influenced your songwriting? Is there a song from the album that stands out above the rest?

Well, Hell is our debut album. No particular events triggered the songs: my life, in general, fed the stories. All the songs play a part in the finished product. If I had to single out one song: Staff Only; because it's, currently, my favorite to perform/opening with - I love my band's harmonies in the intro.

Really gets me into it.

Which musician did you grow up on? Can you each remember the first album you ever bought?

I grew up predominantly listening to music from the ’60s and ’70s; Classic-Rock, Motown; Disco etc. The first C.D. I bought was Hanson - Middle of Nowhere.

PHOTO CREDIT: Hattie Watson

I hear tones of Janis Joplin and Florence Welch! It seems you are compelled by strong female voices. What is it about artists like Joplin that speak to you?

Being compared to Janis is an honor. I don't necessarily pull inspiration from her or one person (or woman). I've always loved to perform. As a child, I danced, cheer-leaded; sang/played guitar in talent shows. My live show is still me loving performance. When I have people’s attention, I feel I need to give them all of me. (I often hear it’s my live performance that makes them think of Janis).

You are based in America. What is the scene like where you are? Are you mostly based in L.A. at the moment?

I live in L.A. The music scene is alive and thriving. I go to two-seven shows a week. The energy is palpable. It’s very special.

PHOTO CREDIT: Lexi Bonin

Will you come to the U.K. and perform this year? Are you a fan of British music?

I WOULD LOVE TO! I am a huge fan of British music (The Beatles - hello!) (Smiles).

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Many. Opening for my partner (LP) in Italy and France, April of 2017. The crowds were massive and loving. Though it was only four shows, I imagined how great life would be to tour together - doing what I love and being able to be with her.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Believe in yourself. Create something that is true to you. You will never have to ‘reinvent’ or (decide) ‘what to do next’. Just do you.

IN THIS PHOTO: Jen Cloher/PHOTO CREDIT: Tajette O'Halloran

Are there any new acts you advise we check out?

Jen Cloher, The Blank Tapes and Vista Kicks.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

No.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Jen Cloher - Forgot Myself

__________

Follow Lauren Ruth Ward

PHOTO CREDIT: Mara Stusser   

Official:

https://www.laurenruthwardmusic.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/laurenruthwardmusic

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/laurenruthward

 Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/laurenruthward/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8dfUJJ-3op3B5wF5uono0w

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/laurenruthward

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6RFGwX2bAZqXSeXfdqzXUY

INTERVIEW: Of Good Nature

INTERVIEW:

Of Good Nature

___________

BASED out of North Carolina…

Of Good Nature are an incredible band that deserve more acclaim. The U.S. group discuss their single, Take Me Anywhere, and its story of frustrated love. The guys give me a glimpse into their upcoming plans and what music they were raised on – and how Reggae has moved on over the years.

The Reggae-Rock-Funk band reveal whether they’ll play the U.K. soon; what it was like working with producer Danny Kalb on their latest track; what the scene is like in North Carolina – they share their best memories from music so far.

__________

Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Great! Just got off the Sail Across the Sun cruise - which was completely insane.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

Sure! Hi. We are Of Good Nature. It’s hard to pin us down, musically, but we have great influence from Rock to Jazz/Funk to Reggae. In the studio, we try to wrap that into a good radio edit – but, live, you might catch us extending the song into a high-energy jam. We like it all!

Take Me Anywhere is your new single. What is the tale behind the song?

The lyrics speak about a female who is looking for more in life - but, the story can be relatable to anyone striving for more in life and feeling stuck in their passion (ourselves included).

It was recorded at White Star Sound with legendary producer Danny Kalb. How important was the studio space and Kalb to the overall sound?

Danny was a great leader in the whole process. He recommended White Star because of the comfort and space out there. Everyone in the band was relaxed and pushing out their best performance. 

Is there going to be more music coming? Will there be an album out before the end of this year?

Yes! We have three more singles finished and dropping in the upcoming months. This leads us into another recording session with Danny in the summer.

Expect a lot of content coming from us in 2018...

How do you feel you have changed since your debut album, Just Add Water?

We’ve matured as writers and players, for sure. We’ve put in a lot of time on the road, on stage and (with) writing and recording. Also, we are a different larger lineup than the debut album. It’s awesome to feel we are hitting a real stride in the recording and touring processes. 

You guys are based out of North Carolina. Is there quite a big and varied scene there? How did Of Good Nature come together?

North Carolina, and our hometown of Charlotte, has built quite the scene the past years. Bands like Simplified and Sun-Dried Vibes are based in the area - and we have a cool community that is great to be in when off the road. Of Good Nature began (just) playing around in different parts of the town and then just grew from there.

We’ve learned a lot along the way - from working alongside, and looking up to, our friends and bands from the area.

Your music fits with the new wave of East Coast style of Reggae – drawing in other genres and styles. Do you have a close connection with like-minded bands in the area? Is there quite a tight-knight community regarding the type of music you play?

The community of our scene is the best. We have met so many friends - and continue to do so.  Surrounded by the Sound Music Festival is a total capture of the East Coast Reggae scene. (It’s Labor Day weekend in Long Creek, S.C.).

How do you think Reggae has changed and evolved over the past few decades?

Just like all music; Reggae has shaped, shifted and taken many different forms. It has popularized the genre, which is great. I think it’s also very important to recognize the real Roots-Reggae bands and groups who keep true to the Jamaican sound. We are not one of those, nor claim to be, but it’s been great to play alongside bands like The Expanders, Steel Pulse and many others.

Which musician did you all grow up on? Can you remember the first album you ever bought?

Most of us grew up in this transition from radio to the digital age. I think that really shows in our music. I remember buying Offspring (Americana) and Eminem (The Slim Shady LP) at CD Warehouse as my first personal purchases.

What gigs do you have coming up? Where can we catch you play later this year?

Were currently touring all over the U.S. We'll visit the East Coast through spring - and play across the country in the fall.

Will the U.K. be part of your plans? What do you think of the music out this way?

The U.K. is definitely on our wish-list. We would love to get a festival or something out that way. Music out in the U.K. has deep influences - which we relate to.

What do you each hope to achieve in 2018?

We want to get our music to more and more people, all over the world. Our new and upcoming releases are songs that, we believe, are attainable for all types of humans. The Internet is a beautiful way to connect. Through spins and streams, we can reach listeners and get them out to a live show - which is what we love the most.

Have you all got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

The two Sail Across the Sun cruises we’ve done are, probably, the most memorable for us. It’s a five-day music festival packed onto a cruise ship. Train, Robert Randolph; Michael Franti and Gym Class Heroes were there, to name a few. The fans and energy on the boat are unforgettable. We hope to get on many more - and highly recommend any kind of cruise festival Sixthman puts on. 

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Learn to manage time for all parts of the business. Put out good content and figure out how to be unique. Talk with your friends, A.K.A. other artists, and do cool stuff!

IN THIS PHOTO: The Ries Brothers

Who are the new artists we should keep our eyes on? Give us some recommendations...

The Ries Brothers are some young talent. They're a two-piece band that consists of a lead guitarist and a drummer/key bass/lead singer.

Do you all get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Cooking and spending time with family and friends is a good way to unwind. Music is always around, though.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Passafire - Growing Up

Trombone Shorty - Here Come the Girls

Bootsy Collins - I’d Rather Be With You

VULFPECK – Dean Town

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Follow Of Good Nature

Official:

http://ofgoodnature.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ofgoodnature/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/ofgoodnature

 Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ofgoodnature/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/ofgoodnature

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/ofgoodnature

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/7qag5M43hzLYzqHk5vnwGx

INTERVIEW: Phebe Edwards

INTERVIEW:

Phebe Edwards

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I have been spending time with Phebe Edwards…

who reveals the story behind her latest cut, Space. Edwards talks about working with Cameron Bloomfield and Kadeem Clarke on the song; whether it all came together quite quickly; the incredible artists she has worked with in the past – whether forthcoming gigs with Gabrielle are getting her excited!

I ask what producer Luke ‘G-kid’ Grant brought to her current single; how her tour schedule is shaping up; if music allows her any spare time to reflect – she recommends a new artist we need to get involved with.

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Hi, Phebe. How are you? How has your week been?

It’s been good, thank you. Apart from tackling the flu; I’ve enjoyed seeing the response to my new track, Space - so that has, somehow, helped me keep my mind off the achy joints and blocked nose!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

Hey there listeners and readers. My name is Phebe Edwards and I am an independent singer-songwriter from London. I’ve worked in this industry for a long time as a backing vocalist and featured for various artists - and now, finally; I have the chance to release my own music...

Can you name some of the other artists you’ve worked with?

I’ve worked with Liam Gallagher, James Brown; Rita Ora, Jessie J and Stormzy, to name a few. Most recently; I featured on the song, Focus - it is on Craig David’s latest album.

What can you tell me about the single, Space? What is the tale behind it?

Space was written about three years ago and features Cameron Bloomfield. It expresses the sentiment of being trapped in a stifling relationship - from both a female and male perspective.

From past performances, I’ve I have been known to sing high and with power. Space shows a very different side of my voice: it’s an emotional ballad that was written from life experience.

It sounds quite natural and personal. Was it easy putting the song together?

It started from talking about different phases people go through in relationships. The process was very organic: the lyrics developed alongside the music.

Cameron Bloomfield and Kadeem Clarke are on the track. What was it like working with them?

These guys are a joy to work with. Such a laugh! Every time we’ve been in a session together, it’s been hard to finish and actually go home as our vibes are so cool. They are so lovely and funny, too! 

Luke ‘G-kid’ Grant produced the song. What, do you feel, he brings to the song?

I’ve worked with Luke on a few songs now and there’s something about his production that excites me. Every time I go to Luke with an idea and he says “leave it with me”; it’s guaranteed that, the moment you hear what he’s put together, you're going to be happy with it. Listening to the growth of the song, from the initial writing session to the production of the track…I couldn’t wait to sing on it!

Is there going to be more material coming before the end of the year?

There sure is! I’m working on the next release as we speak - and keep your eyes peeled for the E.P. 

Which artists did you grow up around? I hear shades of Mary J. Blige in your tones. Is she a big idol?

I have a few idols: Mary J. Blige is one of them! Along with Fantasia Barrino, Coko from SWV (Sisters with Voices) and the great Aretha Franklin. I was brought up listening to a lot of Gospel. I’m a massive Whitney Houston fan, also... 

Her songs, vocals and lyrics are a great inspiration to me.

I believe you are opening for Gabrielle soon! Are you a big fan of her work?!

I’ve worked with Gabrielle for a long time on numerous occasions - and I sure am a big fan of hers! She is a phenomenal artist and a lot of her songs hit home for me, lyrically and emotionally. I’m so excited to have been invited back to the iconic Jazz Café in Camden to open for her album launch on 8th May!

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

Personally; 2017 was a massive learning curve for me, which taught me so much about myself and, also, my music. 2017 redirected my purpose for 2018: take my music to the next level (of what I promised myself and my listeners).

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Seeing my first single hit number-fourteen in the R&B charts in 2014 was a memorable moment for me.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

From personal experience; consistency, persistence and patience are key. Try not to miss opportunities to showcase your talent, no matter how big or small. Keep pushing and networking and, with all the highs and lows, keep believing in yourself.

IN THIS PHOTO: H.E.R.

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

To be honest; I love H.E.R. at the moment. I was gutted that I missed her recent show in London. Love H.E.R. - check her out.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Everyone knows I love a cup of tea. I’m actually a tea-a-holic, in fact!

I also enjoy a good boxing session at the gym. Fitness has become a new focus of mine and, recently, I have gone through a big transition with my health - and I aim to maintain it.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

I’ve currently got H.E.R.’s Focus on-repeat – enjoy (smiles).

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Follow Phebe Edwards

 Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/phebeedwardsmusic/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/phebeedwards

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/phebeedwards/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/officialphebemusic

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/phebeedwards

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Phxu6UZtHHfEHNPDwyqpo

INTERVIEW: Liz Asaro

INTERVIEW:

Liz Asaro

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WITH a new single out…

on 16th April; I was eager to talk to Liz Asaro about Take Me Home – a song that announces her as a serious talent to watch. She discusses her path into music and the artists who influenced her; whether there is going to be more material following; how important New York, and its people, is to her creativity and sound – and, whether she is coming to the U.K.

Asaro talks about her Irish roots and her songwriting process; whether she has a favourite memory from her time in music; how she unwinds when she isn’t recording – ending the interview with an Arctic Monkeys-scented closing song.

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Hi, Liz. How are you? How has your week been?

Insane, really…and great! My E.P. is being mixed this week and I am really excited about it! I went to see Bruce Springsteen on Broadway and that was a treat. Nothing more inspiring than going to see one of the world’s best songwriters perform in such an intimate venue! Also; I went to a Broadway show with my kids - so a lotta good stuff!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I am an Alternative-Rock artist. I live in New York City and I am a mom of three! As an artist, I am influenced by anything from Classic-Rock, to Grunge; to Metal, to Pop. I love writing lyrics and I try to make them meaningful without being too contrived. I, obviously, have a message I want to convey, but I like to leave room for the listener’s own interpretation. I love cool percussive sounds and a little edge to my music - with the vocal floating on top; often contrasting the instrumentation.

Take Me Home is your new track. What is the story behind it?

This song is about my good friend Mark Martinez, who passed away a few years ago. He embraced life like no other and touched so, so many lives. He always followed his dreams and challenged himself; while he constantly inspired everyone else in his life to do the same. It is about him and his passion for all that this life has to offer.

The track, clearly, has emotional relevance. Was it challenging putting it down on paper and hearing it back?!

Writing it was not hard: it was amazing once I finally had an arrangement, and even some remixes, that I liked! I wrote it in the shower one day and it took a bunch of instrumental arrangements to finally, stylistically, get to one I liked. Now, it makes me smile every time I hear it - and I do hope Mark likes it; wherever he is.

What comes next in terms of material?

I have a five-song E.P. coming out very soon! It’s being mixed as we speak! I’m shooting a video in London in April and booking gigs in the U.S. and U.K.!

Did music come into your life early? What got you hooked on it?

Not really! I mean, I have always been a huge music lover and it’s always been a part of my life that way. Music satisfies whatever emotion I need to be addressed - and I have always been good at utilizing and enjoying it in that capacity. But, I didn’t grow up in a family of musicians or anything like that. I was pretty timid about entering the realm of making music until later in life...

Once I found the first few people that helped me start writing, I just kept networking and pushing forward; working with as many people as I could. I realized, quickly, how attainable this was for me because I was so driven to do it…so I just kept going. I love it.

How inspiring is Manhattan when it comes to writing? Do you take a lot from the people around you?

I love people and I love understanding what makes them tick. So; Manhattan is very inspiring, for better or for worse! It’s a crazy place; it’s infectious and there is nothing like it. I love being surrounded by so many cultures, opinions; tastes, activities etc. I write a lot about human nature - so it works for me!

I know you have Irish roots. Does that heritage play a part in your music would you say?

I think so. Funnily, when my current manager David Rowell heard my music for the first time, he immediately said: “Oh, she’s Irish!”. So, I guess there must be something in my vocal tonality and, also (perhaps), in some of the instrumentation that might make you think that. I love cool percussive beats - and some of them may lean toward Celtic. My music has been likened to The Cranberries on many occasions, which I take as a big compliment!

Which musicians did you grow up on? Can you each remember the first album you ever bought?

The first album that I remember buying was In My Tribe by 10,000 Maniacs! I loved Natalie Merchant’s voice and I am honoured that people often tell me I sound like her.

Overall, I am a Rock girl. My favorite music, growing up, was 1990s Rock: Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots; Alice in Chains etc. I am also a huge Led Zeppelin fan and I love most Classic-Rock. I have so many favorite female vocalists: Debby Harry, Doloros O’Riordan, Alanis Morissette and Shirley Manson. I love music. It’s impossible to name all the bands I loved growing up!

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

I will be booking gigs soon! Just got finished recording an E.P. and it's being mixed. I will be putting together shows very soon!

Do you reckon you’ll come to the U.K. and play? Do you listen to a lot of British music?

Absolutely! We are looking into that soon! I listen to all music! I have been spending a lot of time over there writing and recording - and I love my team in the U.K.! I am happy to be exposed to even more British artists than I would have otherwise been.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

I am so excited about getting this E.P. out. I can’t wait to play live again with a full band because it’s been a few months focused on writing. I love networking and meeting people, so I hope that the promotion and performances of this new music will help build a bigger audience. I love the give-and-take of music. I love this industry, as nuts as it can be! I’m also not slowing down with writing. I am very inspired right now and I am writing with as many people as I can!

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

So many - but one of those would be the first time I worked in the studio recording with Gerry Leonard; long-time guitarist and M.D. for David Bowie. It was the first time someone of that calibre had played on my music - and it was my first body of work. Gerry is a phenomenally atmospheric player and he adds layers upon layers of beautiful sounds to a song. When we took a minute to play back the takes over the speakers in the studio; there were some moments of ‘Wow, I really have some awesome songs here. Big sounds that will truly move people’.

Never mind the simultaneous feeling - that I had become worthy of people of that calibre working with me and becoming my friends and supporters.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Two important things that stick with me, as I move through this journey, are this. First: you have to mean it. You have to be genuine. If you are making music from a genuine place, people will believe you; they will want to work with you and they will want to listen to you. Music reaches people when it is genuine. All humans know this in their core.

Secondly: be in it. Be around music, go to shows; talk to artists…not just about the technical stuff, but about life. Watch shows, learn what you want to do and what you don’t want to do. Absorb it all and give back what you can from your soul.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Time away from music: yes! Chill: not so much! Tons of kid’s activities to keep me occupied and in reality! I love being with them!  I also work out. I box and I snowboard.

In the summer, I try to be at the beach or wake-surfing as much as I can! I am also just a huge fan of being with my friends and family: gatherings, dinners; dancing, live music - whatever social stuff I can do with them makes me happy!

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Today, I pick….

Arctic Monkeys - R U Mine?

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Follow Liz Asaro

 Official:

http://lizasaro.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/lizasaromusic/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/LizAsaroMusic

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/lizasaromusic/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8VzaAD2Uv-B7Fy1LwXi1Ug

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/lizasaro

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7sbCtOgXksqHjOPTlfy21v

INTERVIEW: Jaafar

INTERVIEW:

Jaafar

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RUNNING a music blog…

means, at times, speaking to an artist who hails from a part of the world, one assumes, has a very narrow music scene. I have been talking with Jordan’s Jaafar about his career and the musical culture of his country. He opens up about his latest track, Yara, and the story behind it; how it differs from the mega-successful, Sixteen, and whether more material will come – and the tour dates he has booked.

Jaafar tells me about his influences and why Peter Gabriel is a big draw; whether there is a moment to reflect outside of music; if he will come to the U.K. and see us at some point – also; if he can recall the first album he ever bought!

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Hi, Jaafar. How are you? How has your week been?

Hello! It’s been great so far. Tiring but great. We’re half-way through a press tour to promote my new single.. so there’s been a lot of traveling.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

Sure. My name is Jaafar. I’m a singer and songwriter from Jordan. I think the best word to describe my sound is ‘fusion’. Listen to my song, Dalia...that’s the best introduction to my music.

Yara is your new track. Can you reveal the story behind the song?

Yara was written very quickly.

I went into the studio with the verse and melody and, within an hour, we had written the whole song and completed the demo in the same session. Sonically, it’s a fun song that’s very much a fusion of World sounds with different Pop and Rock elements. I wrote the song about a girl who I was in to at the time. There are all the themes of a new love interest: declaration, longing; confusion, frustration...

It follows the hugely successful, Sixteen. Was it intimidating following that song?! What has been your reaction to its success?

Sixteen was a turning point in my career. It opened doors for me and introduced me to a much broader audience. Even within the industry, people started to take notice. I guess I was more excited to follow that up than nervous. Now, when I put new music out, people are eager to take a listen.

That song looked at the refugee-crisis in the Middle East. Are the politics and social strife of the area something that compels anger and creative drive?

Injustice is aggravating - especially where youth is involved. When I wrote Sixteen; I was really affected by everything going on - and by what I was seeing on the news. I was living in America at the time and I think, being far from home and far from the region, intensified that feeling.

I was not in a headspace to write love songs….

Will there be an E.P. or album later in the year, perhaps?

Yes - a full-length album. My first one! I can’t wait to share it with everyone.

You are a Jordanian songwriter. Is there a lot of good new music in the country? How much of the music scene is comprised of Western sounds?

Sure; there’s good music. It’s not necessarily at the forefront, though. It’s tough to be a musician in Jordan. There’s still not a fully-formed industry. Hopefully, I can be one of the people who helps change that.

How much of the scene is comprised of Western music? Very little.

I hear hints of Peter Gabriel in your music. Which artists influence your own sounds?

I love Peter Gabriel!

The list is so long and varied: The Police, Cheb Khaled; Sayyid Darwish, Cat Stevens...to name a few.

Can you each remember the first album you ever bought?

No; but I can remember some of the very first records I listened too - they were my dad’s. Like, for example, 1, 2, 3 Soleil (Live à Bercy) by Khaled, Faudel and Rachid Taha.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

Yes! I can’t wait. We’ll start touring early-summer. We’re doing a mixture of festival dates as well as headlining shows - and I’ll also be the opening act at a couple of shows.

Do you reckon you’ll come to the U.K. and play? Do you listen to a lot of British music?

Yes. We’ll be playing in London in June! I’m very excited. I’ve never played the U.K. before.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

I hope, just, to be able to be on stage and share my music with the world...and have a good time doing it.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

There are so many. Most of them are (of) memories on stage or preparing for a show. I love performing live and putting together a show. I also have so many great memories traveling the world in order to perform or promote my music. That’s one of the blessings of this job: it takes you around the world and you get to experience so much.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

This is a brutal industry and, so, be honest with yourself. Refine your craft and surround yourself with people you can trust - and who give you positive energy and tell you the truth.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Yes, I do. I think it’s important.

At the end of 2016, I was completely spent because it had been, like, three years of non-stop work. So; I took some time off and recharged. I unwind by doing nothing! Just hanging out with friends…

Traveling anywhere there’s a beach.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

This Is the Picture (Excellent Birds) - Peter Gabriel

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Follow Jaafar

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/jaafarsound/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/jaafarmusic

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jaafarmusic/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/Jaafarsound

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/jaafar-music

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Svx0xgoS8UA2ldqxmxG4L

INTERVIEW: Charlie Grant

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Cristobal Rey 

Charlie Grant

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I have been talking to Charlie Grant…

about his move to Berlin - and why he decided to head to the city. Grant talks about his new work, The Astronaut EP, and some of the themes that go into it; what sort of music got him started and hooked; how he transitioned from writing songs for big names (including Melanie C) and embarking on his own career – and what tour dates we can look forward to.

I discover how The Astronaut EP differs from his past work; what advice Grant would give new musicians; what his treasured memories of music are; how he spends time away from music – and what the next steps of his career will entail.

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Hi, Charlie. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi! I’m good, thanks. I played a gig in Berlin last night and did a couple of new songs that went down a storm. So, I’m still buzzing from that. I’m also recording a song for my next E.P. next week, so was rehearsing it with my band. It’s a very energetic and up-tempo tune where everyone gets to rock-out - so that’s going to be a lot of fun.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I guess the obvious phrase to describe what I do is ‘singer/songwriter’, but I’d say there are also elements of Rock, Blues; Americana and straight-up Pop in there, too. I’m a fan of the craft of songwriting and I like storytelling in songs. Being able to work with great musicians never fails to be exciting and inspiring for me. Especially great drummers - I’m in awe of them.

PHOTO CREDIT: Danny Feng

Tell me about your new work, The Astronaut EP. What themes and ideas compelled the creation?

Well. The song, Astronaut, was inspired, lyrically, by becoming a dad for the first time. I wrote it with two other artists, Jonathan Kluth and Flavian Graber from the band, We Invented Paris. Flavian has a daughter - and I’d just found out I was going to be a father. It’s about how it can be hard not to let the disappointments and losses that come with life shut down the part of you that can be touched by simple things. That kind of innocence and joy that is natural for children: everything is new and amazing to them.

Other than that; there is a song about wishing you could talk to the future version of yourself and get some reassurance that everything is going to be ok - and one called Blood Don’t Lie that talks about how, sometimes, your body won’t let you keep secrets, in the context of being around someone who you have strong feelings for but they doesn’t necessarily know about it. I think my favourite song on the E.P., lyrically, is Born Broken. It’s inspired by those times when someone you care about is in a weird relationship. Like, when a person, deep down, doesn’t believe they are worthy of being loved; so they keep choosing people who treat them badly.

How do you think the E.P. differs from your previous work? Are you more adventurous as a songwriter would you say?

I’d say I’m getting more adventurous as far as experimenting with different sounds goes but, in all honesty; I’m not that interested in trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to songwriting. I am interested in breaking free from traditional song structure more but it’s hard - and the trouble is it (just) works brilliantly; so it’s a bit of a case of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’…

The more I write, I feel (like) simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication, so I don’t know how that fits in with being adventurous yet.

The single, Astronaut, is out. It is an uplifting and compelling track. What was the decision behind releasing the track to the world?

It connects with me a lot because it’s inspired by a huge recent event in my life; so it resonates with me at the moment - and I felt that it could do that with other people too. I like the energy of the track and, yeah, I think it has an uplifting quality to it and a kind of innocence to it in a way. Maybe people could use some of that with all the grim stuff going on in the world…

I know the 1970s plays a part in your tastes and music choices. What sort of music were you raised on?

My parents were both, mostly, into Classical music but really loved a few 1960s and 1970s bands like The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, ABBA: things like that. I remember being five or six and (just) wanting to listen to A Hard Day’s Night and Help! over and over again. It was overwhelming in a way: the energy and the amazing melodies. We lived in a remote part of Scotland with an ancient T.V. that could only pick up two channels in black-and-white, but we watched Top of the Pops religiously and enjoyed passing judgement on who was great and who was crap.

Later on, my dad lived in the U.S., so my brother and I would visit him in the school holidays and I got exposed to lots of the greats from the 1980s like Prince and The Police via MTV – and, really, that’s when my music obsession started properly. Much later on, I got really into 1970s Soft-Rock: stuff like Fleetwood Mac, Bread; the Eagles and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Also, The Beach Boys - stuff that came after Pet Sounds. I don’t know why it speaks to me so much; it’s just undeniable somehow. It’s funny that Yacht-Rock is finally considered cool nowadays. I consider the fact that my daughter Coco asks to hear Steely Dan to comfort her if she’s upset (to be) a huge parenting achievement.

You started in the U.K. - and wrote songs for big names such as Mel C! Was that quite an enjoyable time? Do you feel you were honing songwriting skills whilst penning for others – or was it quite a stale time?

It was great because, when I got my first publishing deal as a songwriter in London, it was the first time I’d ever felt acknowledged, and actually got paid...so it meant a lot. I could finally give up the day job. It was definitely a time of honing my skills, working with some great people and learning all the time.

It did get stale though in some ways, eventually. I made the mistake of neglecting the part of me that is an artist by nature.

What was the reason for embarking on your own music? How come you decided to move to Berlin?

When you are writing for others, you are more there to provide a service than to satisfy your own muse. It’s rewarding in its own way, but I missed the freedom of being able to express myself without having to think of anyone else. That, eventually, led me to start work on my own artist project, though; so I guess it was all part of the big picture. I also had a stockpile of songs that I really liked that were kind of just sitting around - so I thought I’d do them my way and have some fun with them.

I came to Berlin for a songwriting camp in 2010 and had an amazing time here. I met enough like-minded musicians and writers to start coming back a few times a year. Meeting my now-wife here in 2012 sealed the deal as far as moving over goes…and I’ve never looked back.

PHOTO CREDIT: Cristobal Rey 

Is there a very different pace in the German capital? Would you advise other artists to come over there?

Compared to London; I find Berlin actually very laid-back and the music scene is on a much smaller scale - in a good way. It’s kind of more manageable and everyone knows everyone. It feels pretty friendly and communal in that way. London is way more competitive, as surviving there as a musician is bloody hard - which makes people more ruthless almost by necessity. That pressure can push people to do their best work, though: things being too cushy isn’t always conducive to digging deep.

Generally, though, I do prefer it here and it’s an exciting time to be part of it as Berlin is, more and more, becoming a creative hub on a global level. So, yeah; I would recommend it.

Which musicians did you grow up on? Can you remember the first album you ever bought?

Apart from the ones I mentioned before; I went through a massive Rock and Metal phase. My older brother got me into Led Zeppelin and I loved some of the poodle-hair bands of the 1980s like Van Halen and Def Leppard and, then, eventually Nirvana and lots of 1990s Alternative-Rock bands. Also, Beck, Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith…I got heavily into soul artists like Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers at some point, too.

The first album I bought was Queen’s Greatest Hits on cassette.

PHOTO CREDIT: Diogo Castro

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

I’m in the early planning stages of a German tour in the autumn but, right now, I’m mostly focussed on getting the next E.P. ready to release – it will come out in late-May. I do have some Berlin and London gigs coming up, though:

24th April: Prachtwerk Berlin (with Dorothy Bird and Adam Wendler)

18th/19th August: London Express Live (support for Lee Mead)

23rd August: Artliners Berlin (with Mike Featherstone)

20th September: Be’kech Berlin

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

I’d love to keep building on the great start we’ve made getting Astronaut out there on the radio in Germany; start playing more gigs further afield and getting some songs on some well-known Spotify playlists. My big dream for this year, though, is to put out a fourth E.P. and, then, compile them all together on a double vinyl album. That would feel like an amazing way of wrapping up all the work I’ve done so far as an artist.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

That’s a tricky one: there are lots…

One of the best was a couple of years ago when I was touring in the U.K. as support for my friend, Ben Montague. We played at a venue in Newcastle called The Cluny and it was packed. I was, basically, unknown to everyone there but the reaction when I played was overwhelming. People really got it and were singing along with songs by the last chorus - it was magical. It was such a great feeling and it gave me a huge boost in confidence to keep doing what I’m doing.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Don’t be too precious about your work: all artists are in love with what they create to an extent and that can blind them to whether it’s actually any good or not. Play live a lot. Open mic nights are a brilliant way to start. I still enjoy doing them pretty regularly. If you are an introvert like me, it can be hard to put yourself out there and risk being criticised (or worse); no-one giving a sh*t either way, but you have to be seen and heard.

You end up meeting like-minded souls along the way and you can support each other - it can feel like a lonely path, but it doesn’t have to be. Feeling like you are part of a community of fellow musicians can really sustain you through difficult times when it feels like nothing’s working out, I think.

Everyone’s been there at some point.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Um; not really, to be honest! My daughter is two so, the last couple of years have been full-on. It’s wonderful, though, and I love my life. I still have a lot I want to achieve - so chilling out is hold for a while longer, I expect.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

One of my favourite songs of last year was For What It’s Worth - from Liam Gallagher’s solo album. It’s great to have him back - and it’s got everything going on that a great song should do, in my opinion

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Follow Charlie Grant

PHOTO CREDIT: Cristobal Rey   

Official:

http://charliegrant.co.uk/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TheCharlieGrantPage/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/charlieltgrant

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIS4AOc6tn4TdMrd4_c96ew

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/charliegra-1

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1A6CZx7bZ5M0E1y65KsKc7

INTERVIEW: Bend Sinister

INTERVIEW:

Bend Sinister

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IT might be obvious to most…

but I was not too sure where that name, ‘Bend Sinister’, came from. I ask the guys about the derivation and what the new single, Heard It All Before, is about. They talk about their music and how it comes together; when they found one another – I ask if there is any new talent we need to get our ears around.

Bend Sinister chat about gigs and whether politics affects their songwriting; if the Canadian band will come to the U.K. soon; what sort of music drives and compels them – and, whether, they ever get a chance to de-stress away from music.

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Hi, Bend Sinister. How are you all? How has your week been?

We are SO good! Spring is in the air; Rock ‘n’ Roll is in our soul…can’t complain!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

Why, hello those who are new to our music. We are Vancouver’s own Bend Sinister! (We’re) a Rock ‘n’ Roll-fueled, music-making machine filled with classic and modern tones to delight your ears! If you enjoy the ’70s with modern Pop sensibility, look no further!

Can I ask about that name - and where ‘Bend Sinister’ comes from?

It comes from a Vladimir Nabakov novel titled, you guessed it, Bend Sinister!

Heard It All Before is your new one. What is the tale behind it?

It’s a tale as old as time! Living life is always a beautiful challenge; everyone has their demons knocking at their door - and Heard it All Before follows that internal monologue, struggling with the constant conversation in your head; trying to find a way out; looking for answers and attempting to be better every day.

Do you think, given the political climate, there is more cynicism levied towards leaders right now?!

With social media taking a forefront (of how) we digest our news; it’s hard not to feel a bit cynical, watching politics unfold like a bad reality show. But, with cynicism comes great art and a push for change. I think we are already seeing that blossom as we wade through the swamp.

Do you guys plan on releasing more material this year?

BIG TIME! We have a brand-new record coming out around May 25th-ish, titled Foolish Games. We are very excited to share this record with the world as it has a lot of gems we are proud to call our own!

How did you all get together? What attracted you to one another?

We all (just) couldn’t resist Dan Moxon’s dreamy vocals and savvy eye for vintage furniture (smiles).

I think great music attracts great players - and the vicious cycle of touring in a Rock ‘n’ Roll band caters to a certain type of person and, luckily, we are all cut from that rug!

Do you all share similar musical tastes? Which artists did you grow up around?

‘Yes’ and ‘no’. I think, what makes us such an interesting band, is we do share similar musical taste to a point - but we all have such a wide spectrum. Each of us brings a unique flavour that pushes the music in a new direction.

Our van playlists usually consist of everything from Queen, Supertramp; Elton John, Huey Lewis and the News; Hall & Oates, to Kendrick Lamar; Dr. Dre, Daft Punk; Vulfpeck, BadBadNotGood; Shania Twain, Nick Cave - all the way to the Jurassic Park score; massively slowed down to weirdness. We will listen to anything once!

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

Of course! We haven’t stopped touring in years!

We will be hitting up Canadian festivals and cities throughout the summer, supporting our new album, Foolish Games. I believe we are working on a West Coast tour of the U.S. and are, very much, hoping to be back out in Europe by the end of the year…the key-word is ‘HOPING’, on that one!

Do you think you’ll come to the U.K. and play here?

I sure hope so. We love the U.K. - the crowds, fans; venues and atmosphere. We are dying to get back as soon as possible!

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

World domination, obviously!

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

There’s so many! I imagine playing to Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme in Toronto for a private show is up there! We’ve had the pleasure of touring around Europe with the legendary Mike Portnoy, which was a blast. Having a fifty-six-piece symphony behind us playing a set was surreal...

We’ve definitely had our fair share of great memories - especially while creating the music!

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Write good music…or go be a dentist.

IN THIS PHOTO: The Lemon Twigs

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

The Lemon Twigs. Couple of young dudes killing it right now!

As for local Vancouver bands we love: Youngblood, Little Destroyer; Peach Pit and JP Maurice to name a few!

IN THIS PHOTO: Youngblood/PHOTO CREDIT: Mandy-Lyn Antoniou

Do you all get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Dan has a hot-tub in his backyard; Matt golfs and walks his dog; Nick is vegan (I heard it’s the best way to unwind) and Joseph finds a spike to sleep on!

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Matt’s Pick: Steve Winwood - Valerie

Nick's Pick: The Garth Experience - Papa Loved Mama

Dan’s Pick: Loverboy - Turn Me Loose

Joseph’s Pick: Black Sabbath - It’s Alright

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Follow Bend Sinister

Official:

https://www.bendsinisterband.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Bend_Sinister

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/bend_sinister/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/bendsinister/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/BendSinisterBand

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0M8upUM1eHBV8q34qCbqSq

INTERVIEW: spudd cannon

INTERVIEW:

 spudd cannon

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THERE is another band…

out there with a very similar spelling to that of spudd cannon. To be fair; their (the other band) music is not as fiery, interesting and full-on as the lower-case-spelt alternative. I have been talking with the trio – Mikey and JJ take up most of the answers – about their E.P., Dude, Where’s My Boat, Man?, and the themes that inspired the songs. They talk about their formation and where they head next; new artists worth a shot; whether, they feel, too many groups are avoiding a D.I.Y. approach to music-making – they provide advice to new artists.

I discover what music makes them tick; how they spend their time away from music; the sounds and artists who made an impact on them growing up; what the inspiration behind their name is – and what the vibe is like in their part of the world, Bishop’s Stortford.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Mikey (Vocals/Guitar): It's been good. Well, mixed, I guess. We did a photoshoot and made a video at the weekend but, then, it's back to the harsh reality of day-jobs until, hopefully, someday we can do this sh*t full-time…

JJ (Bass): …But, on the whole, it's been quite productive, actually.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

Mikey: We're spudd cannon. We like to play energetic, no-nonsense Punk-Rock music. Our sound has been likened to early-Green Day; Cheshire Cat-era Blink-182; the Sex Pistols and FIDLAR. To be honest: we're pretty okay with that.

Can I ask whether there is a special story behind the name, ‘spudd cannon’?

JJ: Mikey came up with the name…

Mikey: It's from a video game called Bully that came out years ago. The protagonist is a teenager attending boarding school and a ‘spud cannon’ was one of the weapons you could use. I just thought it sounded kinda cool for the band.

Dude, Where’s My Boat, Man? is your new E.P. What sort of themes inspired it?

I guess you could say that In My Back Yard is written a little tongue-in-cheek - but it's primarily about boredom. Shy Guy Says follows a similar theme: although, more specifically, it describes social anxiety as well. Magic Stars is about having good memories of a relationship; albeit you're glad it's over. A to Z is a song about lust.

JJ: Our best work is usually based on events or people.

Life is pretty swell right now, so the songs are generally uplifting. We've written songs in the past with quite a sour taste - but they're not working for us right now. 

Will there be any singles from the E.P. arriving? 

Shy Guy Says is, probably, the single we'd pick. We've just shot a video for it that we're super-excited about. We do have a couple more tracks on the way, though, that we are planning on releasing as singles

The E.P. was recorded in a basement and has that D.I.Y. feel. Was it important to keep things raw and ‘proper’?!

It was important to keep it cheap...!

Mikey: Seriously though: incredibly important. In previous bands, I've gone down the route of paying for people who claim to be engineers or producers; doing hours upon hours in studios and thinking the end result/mix sucked. By recording and mixing our E.P. ourselves, we gave ourselves the freedom to showcase a handful of songs that properly replicate who we are and how we sound live: three guys, one drum track; one bass track, one guitar track and one vocal: no dumb effects, no Auto-Tune; no bullsh*t.

Sometimes, that feels lost in music today

JJ: Mikey was the main guy behind mixing. He has no training or experience as such - but we're stoked with how it turned out

Bishop’s Stortford is where you hail from. How did you find one another? What is the scene like where you are?

Mike's dad used to be Charlie's cricket coach and knew Charlie was a drummer. Mikey was starting up his first band at the time. Me and Charlie went to high-school together and started doing bits and bobs musically there. I met Mikey through him. Our eyes met across the room; instantly there were sparks. 

Mikey: Unfortunately, we're at a point where we feel the local music scene is dissolving. We've seen a lot of our favourite venues close in recent years, such as The Square in Harlow.

I can hear Punk bands like Green Day and Ramones in your sound. Which artists did you all grow up with?

JJ: There was a time when I exclusively listened to AC/DC. They're a huge Rock influence of mine. I guess the Punk side of things came from when I was an angsty teenager…and it never really went away.

Mikey: None of our parents really listened to Punk. My dad played a lot of Genesis and things like that when I was growing up; so there was always music in the house. But, discovering bands like Rancid, Sum 41; Nirvana and Silverchair when I was a teenager was a huge eye-opener. 

What do you think of the band scene right now? Do you think the best band-made music is coming from the underground?

JJ: I think I've seen a lot of 'underground' bands that I think should be making headlines. I don't think the majority of this generation enjoy going to small gigs like I used to when I was growing up - so these new bands aren't getting the recognition.

Which is a damn shame. 

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

Mikey: We've been so focused on getting the E.P. finished and our material up-to-scratch that we've stepped away from the live scene for the time being… 

Charlie (Drums): …We will always primarily be a live band, though.

JJ: We have been known to throw our own shows in the past. We're looking to play as much as we can this year. 

How does your music change when you bring it on the stage?! Is it somewhere you all feel very comfortable?

Mikey: Our music doesn't change that much: we intentionally recorded our E.P. fast to replicate the live sound. We keep things simple in recording: plug in and go.

JJ: It took me ages to get comfortable on stage. It's always harder when it's your music - because you're worried about what people will think.

Mikey: Being on stage isn't something that fazes me, personally. I have confidence in our music and our songs. It is nice when a new audience seems to appreciate it as well, though. 

Which new artists do you recommend we check out?

Charlie: Us...

Mikey: Any band looking to do things a little differently to what currently seems to be mainstream Rock. I'm really into WAVVES, SWMRS; MT. EDDY and THE FEVER 333 at the moment.

IN THIS PHOTO: SWMRS

What do you all hope to achieve, personally, in 2018?

In terms of music; I think the sky is the limit for all three of us. But, personally? Not sure. Maybe I'll finally get a decent haircut. 

JJ: I compete in powerlifting. I'd like to hit some big numbers this year.

Charlie: I'd like to successfully orbit the sun. Just once.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Mikey: The bad ones, as well as the good, seems to stay with you. Playing the O2 Academy in Islington was a cool experience a few years ago. But, then you have times like when the stage collapsed mid-show at a festival gig. 

JJ: I got thrown out of one of our gigs once - for shenanigans. That memory will stick with me. I think my favourite memory would have to be the first time we played live together. I wasn't new to gigging at that point; it was just really comfortable on stage. We had a lot of fun.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Pick a sound you love. Don't go with the trend. Don't necessarily be in a band with someone just because they're talented.

It's tricky to explain but you need to find people on the same wavelength as you. Me and Charlie have so much chemistry that we complement each other and know what direction we're going in when we play together. We can look at each other and know what to do next to give a song a twist.

Mikey: I would also say not to believe all the people who claim they can promote, grow or better your band - especially if there's money involved. There's nothing you can't do on your own.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

JJ: Music is probably how I unwind, actually. Work is frustrating. My other hobbies are frustrating. When we're all in a room together, it just works. 

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Social Distortion - Don't Drag Me Down

Charlie: Sham 69 - If the Kids Are United

Mikey: Wavves - No Shade

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Follow spudd cannon

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/spuddcannon

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/spuddcannon/

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/spuddcannon

BandCamp:

http://spuddcannon.bandcamp.com/