Edward Burnett chats to Boston born singer VIA about her first ever guitar, what it's like to live in the bustling streets of Brooklyn and the importance of identity in musical production. RnRR: Hi VIA, would you mind introducing yourself and your genre of music to the readers who are unfamiliar with your work? VIA: Sure! I'm a singer/songwriter and I go by VIA. I describe my music as sad folk-pop. My songs center around significant moments or feelings that I'm having trouble articulating in regular life and want to process artistically. My most recent EP covers lost friendships and loneliness, experiences with depression, and a breakup. RnRR: So let’s focus in on the songwriting aspect in particular. When did you first realise that creating your own music was the way to articulate your feelings in their clearest form and was there anything in particular that acted as a jumpstart, prompting you to produce your own songs? VIA: It took me some time to figure out how cathartic songwriting could be for me. I wrote a couple of songs before I learned guitar at age 12, but once I was able to combine lyrics, vocals, and guitar, that became the magic combination for me to fully express myself. I started performing and recording original songs at age 14, and released an EP called ‘Taking You Away From Pain’ when I had enough material. RnRR: What was your first ever guitar and what made you choose to learn that instrument in particular? Did you have many musical inspirations at that young age which you wished to follow in the footsteps of? VIA: It was a cheap, off-brand electric guitar I bought with money I made from an MRI study. I became obsessed with rock music as a preteen after going to Creation Festival in Pennsylvania, and listening to the radio on my boombox every day. I had enjoyed music as a kid, but it was seeing live music for the first time and tuning into stations like WAAF that made me want to create my own songs. I never originally planned on being a solo artist - my first dream was to write for and be in a band. Good Charlotte was one of my biggest influences because the twins who front the band had a troubled, absent father like I did, so I related to that and saw the ways they channeled their pain through music. RnRR: What acts did you see while at Creation and to further that, who was the best act you’ve seen live? Since you’ve brought Good Charlotte up I have to ask what your favourite song of theirs is? VIA: Two Creation acts that impacted me a lot were Switchfoot and Relient K. They were huge in the Christian music scene and also ended up having radio hits. Even though I don't identify as a Christian anymore, I appreciate the impact some of those artists had in terms of providing people to look up to that inspired me to write. Twin Atlantic was my favorite act to see live. I saw them at TT The Bear's when they came to Boston in 2011. Even though there was a low turnout because they weren't well-known in the states then (they're from Scotland), they rocked the shit out of their set and sounded incredible. There's nothing like being a few feet away from your favorite artist and singing their lyrics back to them while you look in their eyes. There are a ton of great Good Charlotte songs, but I'm partial to ‘The Motivation Proclamation’. I'm a huge vocals person, and the harmonies on that track are stunning and were pretty unique for that genre at the time. Song elements like that definitely influenced my own writing. RnRR: So with your own writing in mind, let’s talk about your music itself. So you recently released the music video for your song, ‘Glitter’ which features calming yet powerful vocals with a soft, melodic tune. How did the idea for ‘Glitter’ come about? What’s the song mean to you? VIA: ‘Glitter’ was one of only two songs I've written that came to me in a dreamlike state. I was falling asleep, and a melody with words popped into my head. I immediately got up and started writing it down, and the song was finished within a day or two. This is rare since it usually takes me weeks or months to finish a song. The song is about what it's like to experience depression when you're around other people. Even happy occasions can lose their luster and meaning because your internal state is so dark due to what you're going through. This song gives permission to that state of being and validates it. RnRR: So ‘Glitter’ conceals a very realistic and darker subject at its core. Do you find that most things you write have to reflect on serious topics or do you ever find yourself writing a song for a different meaning or perhaps more for the tune itself rather than the words which accompany it? VIA: I do tend to write serious songs. There's a huge satisfaction and relief in being able to translate the most gut-wrenching, traumatic experiences into something beautiful. But melody, harmony, chords, and arrangements are a huge part of what I love about writing music beyond lyrics. One of my goals is to start creating instrumental songs, specifically lofi hip-hop. It's a genre I listen to all the time, and a song can say and make you feel so much without any words. I want to flex that muscle a bit more and familiarize myself with sampling and synths. RnRR: Would you want to release a full project focused around the genral theme of synthetic hip-hop or just release a few singles and see the reception. With a voice as clear, tuneful and powerful as yours surely the sky is the limit when it comes to trying out other genres. Many artists change their musical style throughout their careers. Do you feel that delving into alternating themes in music is a way of proving your talent or more a form of self discovery? VIA: Thank you for the kind words! The motive is definitely discovery for me, but it's about discovering other artists and what I can learn from them as much as it is discovering what I can make. I could see myself releasing an EP if I had a body of work I was excited about and my production was up to par. Production is still an area I struggle with and want to get better at. I think there are areas I haven't reached yet in my artistry because I can hear something in my head but can't quite bring it to life. Lofi would be a good space totally separate from my regular music to practice and experiment with that. RnRR: Yes, I would imagine that a switching of genres could help facilitate a change in itself which would allow you to express previously inexpressible thoughts. You mention discovering other artists as part of the process so what have you been listening to recently? Anything in particular that’s caught your ears? VIA: I'm especially interested in artists that are pop-adjacent. Sky Ferreira has been one of my favorites in recent years, and I've been listening to a lot of Joji and Charli XCX recently. In terms of lofi hip-hop, I've been loving Middle School's EP The Finish Line. Looking back on the artists I listened to as a teenager, I'm very aware of how white and male most of them were. I'm glad I'm not as boxed in as I was then, though there's always more room to find artists with different backgrounds and influences. The only bands led by and including people of color that I listened to as a teen were Bloc Party and P.O.D., and those were good for me to observe, even though I wasn't very conscious of it at the time. Now I'm seeing a lot more women and queer folks at the forefront of the industry too. Nija Charles, Julia Michaels, Princess Nokia, and King Princess are all really inspiring to me, for their writing as well as their willingness to put their whole selves out into the world. RnRR: Some great picks in there and you can never go wrong with Bloc Party! Are you more of a ‘Banquet’ fan or a ‘Helicopter’ fan? It’s a very good point you mention about diversity in music and how it’s important to hear everyone’s backgrounds both in and in the production of music. Do you find this as a vital extra motivation when making your own music? Is it integral for you to get your own story and background across as well as obviously producing quality music like you have to date? VIA: I'm a ‘Banquet’ fan, but my favorite Bloc Party album is ‘Four’! I am a mixed-race, Black, queer woman writing music, and even though I haven't written explicitly about those identities in my songs, it's impossible to separate the art from the creator. White, straight men have been a big part of my musical influences and the people I've played, toured, and collaborated with, and a handful of them are good friends of mine. But I'm also intentionally seeking out artists in other demographics to gain musical knowledge, inspiration, and friendships with folks who share even more of my experiences. RnRR: A good plan and the music produced surely would benefit from greater shared experience and knowledge gained from such meetings. Would you ever think of doing collaborations with other artists if you find talented friends? Have you considered being in/before been in a band or has it always been more focused on the solo venture? VIA: Definitely! That's my hope for the new album, that I can collaborate more than I ever have before. Working with other people is invigorating to me. I was in a band called Breaking The Silence (later renamed Modern Prodigals) in high school with my best friend, and we had a short but good run. We only released one EP and played a handful of times, but I loved every minute of it. I find performing to be a lot more rewarding and less stressful when I'm sharing the stage with one or more musicians. Performing requires you to give a lot of energy out to the audience, and as an introvert that can be draining for me. When I'm with friends, we feed off of each other and can sustain that energy and grow it much more easily. If I never had to perform solo again, I'd be perfectly happy. And I'd love to be in a band again if the opportunity arises. RnRR: Moving away from the music briefly now, would you mind telling the readers more about where you’re from and live? What’s it like to live in Brooklyn, New York City? Does the hustle and bustle all get a little too much or does the magic always remain? VIA: I'm from Greater Boston, but I moved to NYC last February. This year and a half has had a ton of ups and downs and there's been a lot of changes in my personal life. Part of that is adjusting to the city life, since I grew up in the suburbs. My favorite thing about Brooklyn is how many different neighborhoods there are, each with their own cultures. NYC as a whole is a city you could spend a lifetime exploring and never get bored - you're always seeing something new and meeting different people. But yes, it can be tiring for sure. There's not much space physically or mentally because you're constantly receiving stimulation and bumping shoulders with other people. I don't plan to stay forever, but I'm grateful for the time I have here and especially the friends I've made. I'm enjoying the little things, like sitting on my fire escape and watching the sun set while Manhattan buildings twinkle on the horizon. RnRR: So that leads us on to the final question and as I always say in Spotlight, the most important. If you were on a desert island for the rest of your days and you could only ever listen to one album ever again, what would it be and why? VIA: Ooh, what a question! My first thought is to pick something with a decent amount of high-tempo songs to energize me since I presume there won't be much else going on there. I would also want something that makes me feel happy when I listen to it and brings back good memories. Thus, I'd pick Twin Atlantic's album ‘Free’. There's even a line in ‘Crash Land’ that talks about being "stuck here on this island," so it's the perfect choice. RnRR: It seems that especially with ‘Crash Land’ you’ve managed to find the correct answer to the world’s most subjective question! Thanks for being on, it’s been an absolute pleasure and we will be sure to update the page whenever you have new music out! (Photograph by Chi Altro) If you'd like to find out more about VIA or listen to her music, you can find her socials down below:
0 Comments
Edward Burnett talks to Canadian rock band DellaRose about their songwriting process, the reemergence of vinyl and what they have been listening to in lockdown RnRR: Hi DellaRose, would you like to introduce yourselves and where you are from to our readers not familiar with you. DR: Hey Everyone! We are DellaRose, a hard rock group hailing from Toronto, Canada! RnRR: It’s nice to meet you and to have another guest on Spotlight from Canada following acts such as 0Stella, Kaeley Jade and Hollow Core. So tell us a little more about each member and who’s on which instrument. DR: Glad to have Rock n’ Roll Reports showing interest in the Canadian Music Scene it means a lot to all of us so thanks so much for having us Edward! So DellaRose consists of Vocalist Garrett Christian, Drummer Kris Lamb, Eric Sebastian on Bass and finally Sean Broda and myself, Kramer White on guitars. The band all met each other at various times through the Toronto Music Scene with some of us working together in previous projects. I’ve spent the last few years touring with different projects, most recently play lead guitar for the Manchester battle rap legend Shotty Horroh! But before that I’d actually played with Sean Broda in a group called Reverse Grip. The days performing with that group lead me to meet both Kris and Eric and now we’re all a collective unite continuing our musical passion! RnRR: So Kramer, what was it like working with such a big name in Shotty Horroh? Did you gain experience and skills which you have brought into DellaRose? Was it an aspiration of yours to perform in the UK? Is performing around the world with DellaRose a key aspiration for the band’s members? DR: It was fantastic! His raw talent and constant desire to better his craft is inspiring. Spending so much time with him definitely opened my ears to a lot of new artists i hadn’t heard of or really given the chance which just gives me more inspiration to draw from when writing for DellaRose. Sean and I had the opportunity to do plenty of touring worldwide with our previous group so that continues to be a strong desire of ours as a unit. Getting back to UK, Europe and Japan is a goal of ours which we hope to achieve in due time. RnRR: So let’s talk present now and in particular, DellaRose. What was the thinking behind the creation of the band? DR: When previous projects fizzled out, I was tasked with the challenge of either finding a new artist to perform with or start my own adventure musically. Once I’d written some demos with Kris, I’d pitched them to Garrett and DellaRose was formed. After some time tinkering with line up changes we finally managed to bring long time friends and amazing musicians into the fold. RnRR: Why choose now to start and why this theme? Has this been a plan and a dream for the guys for a while now? DR: It’s always been a dream of ours to share music with the world and hope it resonates with anyone who gives it a chance. While our “theme” is ever changing due to our collective inspirations when it comes to song writing, the question “why now?” Is simple. If not now then when? Everybody knows what procrastination is and we’ve decided it’s time to put our foot down. With so much happening in the world our goal as musicians is to write songs for people to relate to the times, poke fun at society, sing along and think critically. RnRR: That’s an intriguing take on your role as the creator of music and one that sits well especially in the current global situation. Moving onto your music itself. One key track that you have out already is ‘King For a Day’. Tell us more about this song and the thoughts that went into creating such a bold opener. DR: ‘King for a Day’ was actually written some time ago. Shortly after a certain character got elected president, the idea spawned that anyone could have an opportunity to be king. Ironically enough, a fellow musician just tossed his hat in the ring for the upcoming election in the US as well! Full support for Yeezy from us! During the writing of the song Garrett and myself had also been getting into astrology and star charts which kind of birthed a lot of the lyrical content in the song. Aligning with your true being and attaining a higher/evolved version of yourself worthy of holding a kings power even if just for a day. RnRR: Moving onto your own astrological path then, what do the stars hold for you? When would you like the band’s first EP/Album to be released? What other goals do you have with the band for the rest of the year? DR: What do the stars hold? Fortune and fame! We currently aren’t in the market for an EP or Album release. The way music is consumed these days makes album releases a waste of material in our opinion. You need to have fresh content frequently to keep fans attention. Our next single ‘Hinder Tot’ is due out in the coming weeks, and we’ll have another single following that shortly after. We’ve also got an acoustic bop called ‘Summertime Sunnies’ that plays on the quarantined summer we’re experiencing during this global plan-demic that will be available for your listening delight in the coming weeks as well! Our goal is to pump out a bunch of singles and then put them together in a collection so we can have a hard copy vinyl/CD for fans that desire that type of material! RnRR: That’s a great plan and is a earnest way of ensuring each and every song on said CD will have had the utmost care and attention if all were singles previously. Talking of merchandise, what’s your stance on vinyl re-emerging as a popular medium for music? Do you guys think it’s overrated or do you welcome this blast from the past? DR: As a group of guys that grew up buying cd’s amongst other great band collectables we definitely enjoy the vinyl re-emergence. While we’re definitely deep into the streaming era of music and that isn’t going anywhere it’s great to have a hard copy piece of art available for any fans that enjoy it. Album and single artwork is extremely underrated and under appreciated in some genres so being able to include some images to tie your music together is a huge bonus in our opinion! RnRR: On a similar vein with regards to streaming, do you think it makes a big difference for new bands and musical acts to have streaming as a mainstream mode of music? Do you feel it allows you to gain more recognition and traction than you would have got twenty years ago perhaps? Does streaming positively increase accessibility for fresh music? DR: It 100% makes music more accessible for the consumer. As an artist it’s much easier to place your product in front of viewers now. Sharing a link to a streaming service opposed to sitting on the street corner outside of venues passing out home made CDs. It also allows for more frequent releases and like we’d previously talked about being able to push singles often rather than relying on distribution of albums. That said, recognition, traction and quality fans still come along in the same manner as they have for many years. Just as quickly as someone can stream your new single they can forget about it completely and move on to the next track. I have to hear an artist a few times without seeking them out (ie; car radio, at a store, friends house, etc) before I really give them a proper chance and add them to my personal catalogue. RnRR: So with discovery of music in mind, what have you guys recently been listening to and been impressed by? Any new artists that have caught your ears especially during this lockdown? DR: The Glorious Sons are a fellow Canadian group that’ve caught our ears lately. They’ve been consistently dropping radio hits so they’ve been hard to miss! We’ve been fortunate enough to work with one of their engineers Kevin Dietz so it’s nice company to be in! Bring Me The Horizon’s new tracks Ludens & Parasite Eve have been on heavy rotation as well as Bedford’s Don Broco for some UK love. MGK definitely took the quarantine crown. He really took advantage of the times and pumped out a ton of great material. We can’t wait for his new pop punk influenced album to drop! RnRR: Some good picks there in keeping with DellaRose’s own sound. Finally is the most important question I ask of all the guests on Spotlight. On the topic of other artists, if you were stranded on a desert island for the rest of your days with only one album available to listen to ever again, what’s your choice and why? DR: We’d take an acoustic guitar over a stereo on an island for sure... endless albums. Is there even electricity on a deserted island? Honestly impossible question to answer.. as a collective everyone had different picks.. from ‘Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge’ by MCR and Green Day’s ‘Dookie’ to ‘Rock n Roll all Over’ by Kiss and ‘Travelling Willburys Vol. 1’. As a group we would have to rock ‘Big Shiny Tunes 6’ but good thing we’re each washing up on our own island! RnRR: Great plethora of choices there and thank you for being this time’s guest on Spotlight! All the best for the rest of the year and we will be sure to update the page of news regarding new music as soon as it comes out of your camp. If you would like to find out more about DellaRose and their new releases or even watch the music video for 'King For a Day' then their socials are down below:
Edward Burnett talks to Edmonton singer Kaeley Jade about her songwriting process, her early musical memories and her love for karaoke. RnRR: Hi! Would you mind introducing yourself and your act to our readers? UK: Hey Ed, nice to meet you! My name is Kaeley Jade, and I’m a folk-pop singer/songwriter from Edmonton, Canada. RnRR: So Kaeley, when did you first discover folk-pop? Who were your inspirations and what is your earliest musical memory? UK: While my parents listened to some 60s and 70s folk growing up, I started getting really into folk and folk-pop maybe seven or eight years ago, and I found as I started getting serious about writing music and discovering my sound, it’s what I was really drawn to. While my own music is inspired a lot by what I’ll be listening to at the time, some of my all-time favourite artists are The Lumineers, Vance Joy and Mt. Joy. My family has always been really into karaoke (which is something we still do in the evening at our holiday gatherings). We used to have one of those handheld machines you could plug into the TV, and I remember singing Celine Dion and Avril Lavigne on it as a really little kid. RnRR: Some great tunes there from your family. If you had to take part in karaoke right now, what would you sing? UK: My go-to songs are for sure Under Pressure by Queen and Grace Kelly by MIKA, especially if I’m singing with someone else! RnRR: Good choices! So moving to your own music, what song of yours would you recommend to new listeners which really sums up Kaeley Jade? UK: I feel like ‘Bittersweet’ really balances on the line between folk and pop, and it’s honestly my favourite track on the album. I wrote it during a transitional period of my life, so it’s very special to me. RnRR: So focusing on ‘Bittersweet’, do you feel that if you, the artist, has a greater personal impact on the song’s meaning, the song benefits? UK: I think it definitely depends on the project, and I can only really speak to my own personal process. For me, the music I write is almost always inspired by my own relationships and experiences, and do I feel that some of my best work has stemmed from the most impactful moments in my life. Songwriting is very therapeutic for me, and good lyrics are just a positive byproduct of processing an emotionally challenging experience. Usually, the deeper my feelings run, the stronger my lyrics are. RnRR: Great reasoning there, so with that in mind, where do you want to go from here? What are your plans for the future? How has the pandemic affected your plans? UK: I’m actually hoping to get back in the studio in the fall! I’d originally hoped to tour my first album this year, but with the pandemic that’s no longer a possibility, so I’ve been trying to write a lot and learn a lot in the meantime! I’d love to start playing festivals when the time is right, too, but for now, I’m going to focus on building my career in other ways. Alongside my music career, I also work as a film and theatre actor, so I’ve been trying to grow my craft in those areas as well. The pandemic has really launched performing artists into uncharted territory, so while my immediate plans for the future have been derailed, I’m slowly learning how to move forward in our new reality! RnRR: Crazy times we live in now, indeed. So staying on the same topic of the future, where would you like your act to be in say 3 years time? Would you like to be performing gigs across the world or have several studio albums released? What level would you aim to be at which you’d consider to be successful, personally? UK: I mean, if in three years I could be touring the world and playing for thousands of fans, of course that’d be pretty sweet! Realistically, I’d like to release my first LP by then, and I’d love to start opening for some bigger artists, and maybe even set up my own North American tour. I find success such a tricky subject to nail down, especially being part of a society in which it is often defined by fame and fortune. On one hand, if I am able to live comfortably off of my artistic endeavours without having to work a joe job, that would be a pretty great feat. On the other hand, I’d love nothing more than to be at the level of artists that sell out Madison Square Garden, or are headlining major festivals. But at the end of the day, if creating art is my full-time job, I’ll consider myself extremely lucky. In the meantime, I’m going to keep focusing on my craft and pushing myself to see just how far I can go. RnRR: To be grateful for what you have and to be able to enjoy performing as well is a great attitude to have with regards to your future. Finally, there is the most important question of all which we ask all our guests. If you were moving to a desert island and could only bring one album to listen to for the rest of your days, what would you pick and why? UK: Oh man, that’s a tough question! If I had to choose one, I’d probably say Imagine Dragons’ Night Visions. That album has gotten me through some tough times! RnRR: Imagine Dragons are always a safe bet! We will be sure to update the page whenever news from your camp drops! If you'd like to stay up to date with news and releases from Kaeley, you can find links to all her socials below:
Edward Burnett chats to Bex and the Disappointment about their first connections with music, their favourite albums and what their post-coronavirus plans entail. RnRR: Hey Bex and the Disappointment! Would you mind introducing the band and telling our readers a little more about your music? BATD: Bex and The Disappointment is an indie rock band from Toronto featuring Rebecca (Bex) Grainger's powerful and emotional vocals. With influences ranging from Stevie Nicks to the Foo Fighters to The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, with hints of 80s glam rock and early 90' grunge. Rohnny Kosan brings his chewy riffs on the guitar, mixed with a dash of heavy bass groves from Pam Sloan. This is all spread on top of succulent beats from Christopher Moleirinho’s drums. We serve up a rock entree ready to satiate the most emaciated ears. RnRR: How did you all get into music? What were your inspirations from a young age? BATD: [Rebecca]: I’ve been singing since I I was a kid, entering contest in my hometown of North Bay whenever possible. My dad and I bonded over music, so I was influenced by the voices of Annie Lenox, Sade, Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie. In my 10 years living in Toronto, I've sang and written with several groups of musicians but didn't find "the ones" until Ron, Chris, and Pam showed up. [Ron]: I was always playing “Air Piano” to the radio when I was a little kid. My mom thought maybe I wanted to actually play so the next thing I knew I was at the Conservatory (The Canadian Conservatory of Music in Windsor, ON) learning Beethoven. My focus turned to the guitar later. Inspirations were the guitarists that were never considered guitar heroes. Guys like Andy Summers, Robert Smith, Prince, Johnny Marr and James Mankey. Guitarists that didn’t just take huge, shredding solos. [Chris]: I grew up in a musical house, my dad played in bands and that’s how I got into playing. Early influences were mostly classic rock and 90s rock. [Pam]: I’ve been obsessed with music for as long as I can remember. I started in dance at a young age as I’ve always been driven to express what I was hearing and feeling physically and transitioned towards making my own music in my 20s. I bought a guitar and taught myself to play and after a couple years, eventually started playing with other people at which point I transitioned to bass. I grew up in a family with some wide age gaps which gave me a diverse tastes and musical background in different eras, genres, and styles outside of the music that was being played on the radio. As a result, my influences tend to vary greatly. My father gave me classics like the Rat Pack, my mother gave me Led Zeppelin and Pat Benatar. My teenaged siblings gave me 80s rock and pop music, dance gave me a classical ear and on my own I found Nine Inch Nails (which changed my life), electronic music and rap/hip hop. Also following strong, outspoken, feminist, fearless female artists like Salt n’ Pepper and Kathleen Hanna truly shaped my musical attitude. RnRR: For new listeners, how would you recommend experiencing your best? Any tracks that are coming that sum up the band’s vision well? BATD: Live. That’s the best way to experience Bex and the Disappointment. We are about to release our first EP, and all 4 songs are special. For now we have our Single Fade available for free download on our website (bexandthedisappointment.com). RnRR: What are your plans for the future? After the pandemic has passed, are you hoping to organise gigs and realise more new music? BATD: With the current global pandemic, we look forward to the release of our EP on all streaming platforms in the very near future. Then as soon as its safe we want to play all the shows we can! Shows in and around Toronto, hopefully some touring as well. RnRR: Now for the hardest question: if you could only take one album to a desert island for the rest of your days, what has to get picked and why? BATD: [Rebecca]: "Pink Moon" by Nick Drake. Because it calms me. Also, you can chill, cry and sleep to it. [Ron]: "Disintegration" by The Cure because Robert F***ing Smith. Also, The Cure were my first concert ever. [Chris]: "White Pony" by Deftones. [Pam]: As much as I’d love to say Downward Spiral by NIN, it would have to be "Are We Not Horses" by Rock Plaza Central. The album as a whole is a journey and a story that’s almost like watching a movie through songs. The feelings evoked are strong and real but range from heavy and existential - to light, cute and carefree in an almost seamless, yet cohesive album. The songs can be enjoyed on their own for different moods but as a whole, it’s quite the trip that has already entertained me and kept me interested for over a decade. RnRR: Some great choices there and it’s been a pleasure having you on Spotlight. Finally, where would you like to be in your career in around three years time? BATD: We are happiest making and performing music together, and we try our best to never take our artistic connection for granted. We hope to have a couple full length albums in the next few years and to play more cities, countries and venues while growing our fan base. We will also continue to be grateful to make and play music together for as long as possible. If you'd like to find out more about Bex and the Disappointment or find out their latest news on upcoming releases and gigs, the links to their socials are below:
Edward Burnett talks to Leeds band Ten Hands High about their time at university together, their plans for after coronavirus and what album they'd take to a desert island. RnRR: Hi guys! First and foremost, would you like to introduce yourselves and the band to our readers? THH: We're Ten Hands High from Leeds, based in London now. We're made up of Finn, Joe, Tom and Alexi. We have been releasing music for over a year now and would probably describe our sound as an eclectic mix of indie rock, anthemic pop and uni nostalgia. RnRR: Nice to meet you guys! So how did you all come to know each other? THH: Well we all met at Leeds University, apart from Finn who is still in primary school. We messed around with a couple of different lineups until we settled on the current formation of the band and went from there. RnRR: Was there a busy music scene in Leeds at the time? Was the university a good catalyst for the band? The facilities surely gave you a place to realise you wanted to have a serious go at the music industry? THH: The university was actually great as early on we'd use the practise rooms in the music department for free because two of the boys were part of the society. Then in 2019 when we really started going for it, we used Pirate Studios in Kirkstall which was perfect! Well, apart from having to lug our gear around but we're all jacked now so it's fine. The Leeds music scene is actually so great for new bands, shoutout to the Lending Room and Verve Bar for hosting us unsigned folks. RnRR: So when did you guys first realise you had a passion for music and aspirations of one day being in a band? Was this a main goal since childhood or did the aim start when at university? THH: I think we all had the aspiration quite early on in our lives. We've all been playing music for a long time and its always better when you're playing with other people so it was always on our radar, we just needed to find the right lineup. RnRR: Ah perfect, so like you say, music aspirations had been quite an early feature. So with this, was there many musical inspirations at a young age for each of you? Any bands or acts that really encouraged you to follow the same path? THH: I think in terms of the progression of recent bands that we admire, we're big fans of the way that The 1975 have consistently evolved through their career. Finn and Tom are massive fans of The Beatles obviously as well which definitely influences our creation of music- ensuring there's a really strong song with solid melodies at the heart of every track we produce. RnRR: That’s a good background to help explain how your songs come about being constructed. So moving onto the very songs themselves, for new listeners of Ten Hands High, which of your songs would you recommend? One which gives a good representation of what the band is about? THH: I think our newest track “Red Wine” will definitely give your readers an idea of what this phase of Ten Hands High will sound like (post-covid). We feel like as a band we've definitely matured since our first year together and with that, our sound has too. Production wise you can hopefully tell the difference between this song and the 6 tracks we released in phase 1 (shoutout to producer Bob Cooper for that). In terms of a song from phase 1 that encapsulates our band I'd personally always point to “A Jet's Pink Trail”, our first release. While we'll admit the production isn't brilliant due to money constraints, I think as a song it shows what we're about. It is indie rock with a groove to it, nice summery melodies and it isn’t afraid to be openly wet and hopelessly romantic at times. RnRR: Both songs are great tunes and good examples of what the band is capable of creatively. Have you been working on any more songs for after the pandemic has passed? THH: Yeah we've got so many songs ready to be released and we've been writing loads during the lockdown too but those songs probably won't see the light of day until next year. Unfortunately our recording session in April got cancelled because of the situation so that's been reschuduled to June when we'll record our next single that will should come out by early July. It's a real summery tune so hopefully we can get it out there when the English sun is still out! RnRR: So once normality resumes later this year, what are the band’s plans? Any gigs being planned to run aside the release of these singles you mention? Any ideas behind a full EP or album release? THH: So our mini tour of 6 shows this Spring was cancelled because of Covid so we're trying to rearrange that to the autumn. We've managed to find alternative dates for 3 shows so far (London Sept 18th, Leeds Oct 10th, Sheff Oct 17th) and will hopefully get the others sorted asap because playing live is by far our favourite part of being in the band. Also, our new single “Red Wine” has brought us loads of new fans who we'd love to play live to. In terms of a full EP or album, we'd absolutely love to make one but right now we don't really have the funds. For now we're sticking to releasing top quality singles, but maybe next year will bring opportunities for larger projects. RnRR: Hopefully you’ll be able to achieve those aims in the future and pursue such larger projects. Talking of which, where do you see the band being in a couple of years’ time? Where would you guys like to be in your musical careers with Ten Hands High? THH: We've always said that we'd love to be able to tour around the country and Europe and make a living out of making music. I definitely see that on the horizon in the next couple years and who knows what else could come along. RnRR: It is always good to keep your horizons widened. So finally, the most important question we ask every guest on Spotlight. If you were stranded on a desert island with only one album to play, what would your choice be and why? THH: Christ, that's like choosing between my 10 children. I've definitely got a fair few albums that would be in contention but I would probably choose something from hiphop so that there were less melodies to get sick of. I'd probabaly choose “Madvillainy” by Madvillain because by the time i'd deconstructed all the wordplay, the rescue boats would have arrived. RnRR: Great choice and reasoning. We will be sure to update the page with any news from your camp over the coming year, all the best! If you would like to find out more about Ten Hands High and keep up to date with their latest news and releases, their socials are down below:
Edward Burnett chats to Hamilton rock and roll band, Hollow Core about their inspirations, symbolism and Kidz Bop! RnRR: Hi Hollow Core, would you mind introducing the band’s members and what genre the band covers? HC: Hollow Core is a 5 piece consisting of Austin Kennah , Collin Sheehan, Andrew Sabev, Brad Moulaison and Dan Scime. We are a metal band who tends not to stick to one subgenre, we just write things that sound epic! RnRR: Nice to meet you guys! How did you get into music then? Was it always an aspiration from a young age? HC: We all have very different stories and histories with music but it's clear that each of us still has an almost childish passion. You can kind of see the excitement of our younger selves when we are writing or playing. RnRR: So continuing in that vein, what were your musical inspirations? What bands and artists did you listen to which truly inspired you to go out there and do it yourself? HC: As a band we grab from all over the place but I find the similarities really cool. We have these inspirations from when we were growing up, bands like Tool, Protest The Hero and Alexisonfire. But then there's this kind of classic appreciation where we pay homage to bands like Sabbath, Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. With 5 members its definitely hard to reach an absolute consensus but it seems, even just from those examples, that we have been inspired by the hardcore movement of our childhoods as well as the band's that helped shaped music as we know it today. RnRR: That’s great to know that you had inspirations such as Pink Floyd. Also, it’s useful that you are able to come to a consensus with five members, so that no one is left feeling “Comfortably Numb”. So tell us a little more about where you’re from? HC: That's amazing haha! We are all from Hamilton Ontario, it was at one point the steel city of Canada, but now I think everyone is more focused on the arts and culture. Its having this like boom in musicians and it makes for some real fun hometown shows. RnRR: Ah sounds like a real breeding place for musicians! So for new listeners, what song would you recommend to give a good representation of the band? HC: We have a couple self recorded singles on Soundcloud and Bandcamp. A good first listen would be a track called "Pure Life". RnRR: Tell us a little more about “Pure Life” then? What’s the story behind the lyrics? When did you write the song? HC: It's a fairly new song, wrote it only a couple months ago. Pure Life was originally just the working title. Dan, Collin and Brad looked down at a water bottle and said "let's call it Pure Life". I (Austin) ended up using that working title as the basis for the lyrics. It's pretty much a song about trying to create a pure way of living without the tainted religions of the world. There's a lot of symbolism I'm proud of such as "Baptize me in Fire, Kill my desires." But during the breakdown of the song I chant "We're all disposable you'll see" which some people would say is very thought provoking. But your readers will know is inspired by a water bottle! RnRR: Very revealing! Especially about the water bottle. So would you say that you often aim for your songs to contain symbolism or political issues such as religion. If so, how important do you believe such topics to be when songwriting? HC: I think we do like to have some sort of message in all of our songs. However we like to cover the symbolism in fantasy so the escapism of art is still there. It's a bummer to constantly be hearing about politics, but if it's the politics of like demons and elves it's less of a buzzkill, even if that story mirrors our own world. I don't think it's necessarily important to songwriting though, music moves people in different ways for different reasons. Sometimes the only meaning a song needs is let's all have a good time. RnRR: That’s a very good attitude to have. So let’s talk about the close future. What do you have in store for us in the coming months? Gigs? Songs? What’s happening on the Hollow Core front? HC: We are currently finishing a short tour and we are working hard on our first official EP in studio! We have 5 songs that are for sure going to be on it. Any others could be an option for singles in the future! RnRR: Exciting times ahead! So finally, the most important question of all. You’re going to a desert island for the rest of your days and you’re only allowed to take one album to listen to, what are you picking and why? HC: Knowing us, probably something like Kidz Bop Greatest Hits. To torture each other on the island and then slowly develop an ironic love for it. Then the irony is gone and we genuinely love it. RnRR: Haha! Great choice, well thanks guys it’s been a pleasure and all the best for the future! We will be sure to update the page with any news from your side of things. If you would like to listen to some of Hollow Core's music, you can check them out at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCedA6JVgT9fi4gvSFiUpjew
Edward Burnett chats to indie-rock band NERiMA, based in Canada, in February's edition of about their upcoming single, spare time and how each member became intwined with a musical career. RnRR: Hi guys, first of all, would you like to introduce the band to our readers and what genre of music you play? NERiMA: Hi, we’re a band called NERiMA made up of our singer and rhythm guitarist Alexi Orial, our lead guitarist Matt Bondoc, our drummer Alex Nicole and our bassist Connor Sheahan. Our genre is a mix of modern rock, punk, and alternative-indie. RnRR: Great to meet you! So tell us where you’re from and what’s special about living there? NERiMA: It’s great to meet you too! Our band typically considers the GTA, or the General Toronto Area to be our homebase. We really do love it here because Toronto has got that classic downtown citylife feel, and they’ve got all the venues, institutions, music stores, and everything there where we can really feel like a part of the music scene. But then, of course, at the end of the day, we can all come back to our little suburban towns we consider our hometowns (Oshawa, Ajax, and Whitby) with their own charm of even more local, intimate shows and our closest friends/family. RnRR: It’s good to have a balance between the two. So, talking about the band itself, what encouraged you to form a band? Any musical inspirations while growing up which you would argue have shaped your career? NERiMA: We think so, too! About our origins, Alexi invited her cousin Alex to form the band with her after a life-long desire for one. Our dream was inspired by our childhood spent singing, exploring instruments, and playing Rock Band with cousins, but also by seeing our favourite bands do what they love and not being able to see ourselves happy doing anything else. The main bands we’d like to thank for this are Paramore and Twenty One Pilots. RnRR: What were the other members’ inspirations and origins when starting the band? NERiMA: Well, Alexi had been playing guitar since age twelve and singing/songwriting since long before, so the wait for her lasted forever. Alex learned drums for the band, quickly growing to love how easily she could express herself with them. It took us a while to find two others genuine enough to help follow our dream, but we found Connor and Matt and believed in these dedicated musicians and awesome friends to take the journey with us. Matt had a long history playing guitar, piano, and more, but Connor had just started bass, originally being taught by us. Their inspirations were bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day. RnRR: That’s a great origin story! Also great bands to have as inspirations to what is becoming a blossoming music career. So let’s talk songs. What song of yours would you recommend to new listeners and crucially, why? NERiMA: We’ve actually got our lead single set for release on the 29th that we‘d say is our best recommendation — it’s called All Afraid to Fall, and we’re really excited for people to hear it. RnRR: How would you describe your songs as usually being to people considering giving your tunes a play? NERiMA: Our songs are usually a mix of upbeat sounds with mellow lyrics or vice versa, but this song, we really just wanted to have fun with. We always like to explore different genres, themes, and even feelings in our music, but for the very beginning of people’s journeys with our sound, we think one of the most important things for listeners to know is that they’re here for a good time. Sure, our discography delves into heavy topics/sounds that are hard to just have fun with, but at the end of the day, we want to leave people dancing, thinking, and overall happy they gave our band a chance, and All Afraid to Fall does just that. RnRR: That sounds like a very developed and well thought out song and we are definitely looking forward to hearing it. Aside from the music, what else does the band get up to in spare time? NERiMA: We’re so grateful, and we’re excited for you guys to hear it, too! But yes, when we aren’t rehearsing or writing new material, we really just like to hang out — sometimes at home, having sleepovers, debates about drug use in western culture or the classification of “food”. Or if it’s nice out, we’ll usually take our convertible for a drive (or get in the back since only Matt drives), maybe have a night out on the town with just the four of us. We like going to the mall or guitar shops or nearby record stores and overall just chilling, being ridiculous in our breaks from being serious. Music connects us of course, but our friendship goes far past it. We just genuinely love hanging out with each other, making each other laugh or yell or snort water out of our noses, and, practicing or not, we’re always down for a good time. RnRR: That’s great to know that there’s more than just the music to it for the band. When there is more, that usually benefits the music anyway. So next, where do you see yourselves in five years? Where would you like to be? NERiMA: I think at this point in our lives, five years seems so far away, and it’s hard to look at sometimes. But with the band, that fear/anxiety tends to fade into an exciting uncertainty over everything else. In five years, we see ourselves so much further with NERiMA. We’d definitely like to have a couple more albums and a lot more shows under our belt — a tour, if our biggest dream isn’t too crazy. What’s most important to us though is interacting a lot more with the audience we’re doing this with, since even though we’re just getting started and don’t have a lot of content to offer right now, they’re the ones who have been supportive and awesome enough for us to look that optimistically at our world in five years. RnRR: It’s very refreshing to hear that among all the big aspirations, the fans still come first. So finally, what have you got planned for the rest of 2020? New music alongside “All Afraid to Fall”? Upcoming gigs? NERiMA: Definitely, they always come first! As for 2020, we’ve got a lot planned and a lot more we’re hoping for. We’re planning a couple more singles after All Afraid to Fall off our debut album that we hope to release this year as well! It’ll be our very first appearance in the music scene, and we’re so excited to see what’ll come along with it — hopefully writing for another album, opening for some of the awesome bands we’ve met lately, headlining shows of our own, or maybe even playing a local festival. Of course we don’t know all of what’s to come, but we definitely hope that live music is a huge part of it, because that’s got to be the best thing about this band. RnRR: That sounds like a fun and unpredictable coming year for the band and we’re very excited to see what comes next. We’ll be sure to update our page with any news from NERiMA’s camp. If you'd like to find out more about NERiMA and their future releases, check them out on Instagram: @nerimaofficial or via their website at nerimaband.weebly.com
Edward Burnett chats to 0Stella in the first Spotlight of 2020 about her career, New Years' resolutions and what music she'd take to a desert island. RnRR: Hello! First of all, would you like to introduce yourself, where you’re from and what style and genres you perform? 0STELLA: I'm 0Stella. You spell it zero Stella, because I'm a huge advocate of zero waste but you can call me "Oh Stella" to my face. I'm originally born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, but I now am proud to call myself a Canadian citizen and reside in Edmonton, Alberta. I play alt-rock Irish fusion. Just think Yeah Yeah Yeahs, PJ Harvey and a fiddle and you're on your way to what I sound like! RnRR: Greet to meet you Stella, so what was the reason for you first getting into music? What were your musical inspirations growing up in Ireland? 0STELLA: I'd been singing as long as I could talk. loved Thin Lizzy, Bell X1 and The Frames growing up in Ireland, not to mention The Cranberries. When I saw footage of Freddy Mercury at Live Aid as a young girl, it utterly moved me. I decided I wanted to connect with people like that. Then I discovered Garbage and their lead singer, Shirley Manson and I was completely hooked on the idea of being a musician. RnRR: Some great inspirations there and of course, that Freddie Mercury performance has gone down in history as legend. So following this, how did you get into music and playing it live. What were your first steps from watching these idols to picking up the equipment and doing it all yourself? 0STELLA: Well I first got into performing formally at 16 when some friends volunteered me to front a band, two of my friends played guitar and were songwriting and needed someone to sing them. I'd just started writing lyrics so it was perfect! Our first performance was a school concert. We preformed 'Sarah' by Thin Lizzy and I was petrified but by the time I stepped off the stage, I knew what I was going to do with my life! I tried learning piano, guitar and bass throughout the years but never really got down to it until I put myself in jazz school and had to learn. Fast. And finding yourself without a band, albeit of your own making, is fierce motivation to learn an instrument. I learned guitar and preformed for the first time in a songwriter competition one month later! RnRR: Well there’s a great backstory if ever I’ve heard one. So taking the conversation from the past to the present, what songs that you have out now would you recommend to new listeners? Songs that will give them a sense of what 0Stella is all about? 0STELLA: Definitely Wide Awake. It's a dancefloor thumper that talks about bigger issues of caring for our planet. I love to get people moving, but I don't always end up writing songs about hook-ups. This is a perfect example of that. Very much influenced by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Beaches and St. Vincent... Probably some of The National and Patti Smith in there too! RnRR: I was just about to say that your music is very similar to Patti Smith, especially her “Dancing Barefoot” which was similar sounds throughout. “Wide Awake” is a great song but might I also suggest “Fire” as one of your best. The song possesses an attitude and has a real kick to it, similar to the work of Yonaka, would you agree? What was the thought process behind such a powerful song? 0STELLA: 'Dancing Barefoot'! That's a complement indeed, thank you. I love that song. Yeah man, Yonaka is serious. I love that girl's voice. 'Fire' is about acknowledging your weaknesses - in this case, addiction or where passion crosses a line into obsession, and dragging it kicking and screaming into the light and absolutely torching it. RnRR: It’s interesting that even though this song can be interpreted as being about the typical topic of love/relationships, you still manage to bring some originality to the subject, showing a darker side to it all. Very impressive. Now let’s move on to performing, what’s the best gig you’ve ever played and what made it so memorable? 0STELLA: Well the one I just played this Christmas in Dublin was exceptional because it was the first time playing traditional songs and classic Irish Christmas tunes for Dubliners while they jumped around and same every word going. Great craic. Close behind that would be The Twisted Wheel in Peterborough, Ontario in November. I didn't even make it through the first song of my set before people were singing along and making up harmonies and all sorts. I think Peterborough crowds are undercelebrated! RnRR: Of course, your home country has to top the list but interesting that Canada comes a close second. Would you ever want to play in the United States since you’re now leaving nearby in Canada? Also, talking of gigs, what do you have lined up for the new year? What can we expect from 0Stella in 2020? 0STELLA: I wish I could say I'd played the U.S! So far I've only played U.K, Ireland and Canada with this project. There is a show in Calgary, Alberta on 11th Jan called Celtic Jam for The Cure, then two more shows in Edmonton 15th and 23rd Jan. Then possibly another show in Dublin in March followed by a spring tour of Western Canada, then Eastern and Toronto area, hopefully finishing off the year with a little time in Germany. RnRR: Sounds like a lot of great ideas for what is hopefully a great year for you. So this time next year, where would you like to be with your career? 0STELLA: I'd like to be finished a string of festival dates throughout the summer in Europe and Canada and finished pre-production on my debut 0Stella record. I just did out my goal list for 2020 but there's far too many to mention on it other than that! RnRR: Ah so would it be an easier question in asking you what are your New Year’s Resolutions since it’s the first interview of 2020? 0STELLA: Ha! Perhaps! My New Year's Resolutions are to focus on friendships and relationships in general. I got pretty myopic this year getting 0Stella off the ground so I need to balance like out a tad. Famous last words though! RnRR: Continuing with the whole new year theme, what would you say is your favourite musical memory from this decade as it now comes to a close? 0STELLA: Favorite musical memory was probably jumping with 20,000 or so people to Jump Around for House Of Pain at T In The Park in Scotland in 2011. Blondie played that year too. Sublime. Also Elton John was fairly inspiring last October. I hope I'm as strong and as humble as he is at his age. To get to perform live for 50 years. That is a dream to me! RnRR: Also good to keep a check on things and relax sometimes. That’s humbling to hear. Not to mention it’s a shame T In The Park is no more, have you ever been to it’s successor, TRNSMT? 0STELLA: No, I never had the chance to go to TRNSMT. I don't frequent Festivals in the same way I used to when I was living in Ireland. I've been to Glastonbury three times. I miss that vibe. Hopefully that'll change and I'll just be playing the festivals from now on! RnRR: Of course, surely that’s any artists dream, to headline or even play at a big festival such as Glastonbury? So finally, if you were on a desert island and you could only take one album and one single with you to listen to, what would you pick? 0STELLA: I reckon I'd take Grace by Jeff Buckley with me, but I'd mash the Live At Sin É Edition with the Legacy Edition albums together into one epic bundle. Then I'd take Paranoid by Garbage with me as a single just so I could bounce around while I collect coconuts for dinner! RnRR: Great choices! Well it’s been a pleasure chatting and getting an insight into 0Stella and your thoughts! All the best for the future and we will be sure to update the page with any news from your camp. You find out more about Stella via her website at: www.0stella.com
Edward Burnett talks to mystery-fantasy band, Gelax, about their humble origins, their UK inspirations and plans for the future. RnRR: Hi guys, would you mind introducing the band and who’s who? GELAX: Gelax is a mystery fantasy indie band that started as a duo between Gelareh (GelaxKey) and Tareq (Taarqazz). Gelareh left her country Iran to pursue music and sing where it’s forbidden for women to do so under their oppressive regime. And Tareq’s own struggles with his war torn country Palestine and disbelief in the Middle Eastern system and finding peace, brought him to Canada. We both shared much in common, from views on life to the constant struggles growing up with an untraditional mind in an old school society. Our musical fascination with Radiohead, Depeche Mode, Portishead, Queen, Massive Attack and Pink Floyd, gave them the excitement and confidence to start writing songs together in 2016. RnRR: Nice to meet you and a very poignant backstory for the band from such tough origins. What was it exactly about the bands mentioned above that proved to be an inspiration? GELAX: I guess we gravitated to their darker sounds, mixed with elements of hope and critiques of societal issues. The topics of their songs had more of a deeper outlook about the world we live in and the daily struggles we face. The band grew after a period of doing electronic sounds at home mixed with acoustic instrumentation’s, to include Olaf on drums and Jason on bass for more of a live feel. RnRR: The subject matter therefore is a key driver of musical inspiration for the band as a whole then. Do you prefer that live feel to the oppositely studio sound? Does that stem from a love from performing live? GELAX: Actually we love both feels. We try to incorporate both elements in our live performances. The instrumentations add an extra dimension to live shows. RnRR: That’s a good outlook to maximise the quality of performance. So, for new listeners, what songs of yours would you recommend to really get the essence of Gelax? GELAX: Hmmm, tough one. We’re constantly discovering new sounds and moods with each new song, but I think “Life” “Crazy Arms” and “ Mr square” have a good variety in sound to get a good feel of the vibes. RnRR: All are very good songs in their own right but might I bring up “Crawler”, as I couldn’t help but feel strong Radiohead vibes while listening, particularly interesting considering you cited them as an inspiration. Would you agree? Were you aiming for that style of sound? GELAX: That’s very interesting that you heard that. Obviously we’ve never seen it that way or write it as such, but we’re extremely honoured to even be in the same sentence as Radiohead! It was a song born out of Gelarehs own questions of self and realities, with Tareq layering the parts section by section based on the intensity of the lyrical content to more and more delusional with a final climax and burst musically. Of course I’m sure at a deeper level, Radiohead’s influence and inspiration will always seep it’s way into our psyche. Which we’d be grateful to pay homage to. RnRR: It’s good to know the inspiration runs that deep. So let’s talk about live shows. What’s the greatest gig you’ve played and why? GELAX: I think there are a few memorable ones, but the Garnet in Peterborough Ontario stood out for us. Such a warm and passionate place about music. We felt very comfortable and loved playing there. RnRR: A good venue with a an even better crowd always makes for a great gig. Is there any venue/festival that you are dying to play in the future? GELAX: Oh that’s a tough one haha. If we’re gonna dream then we’ll dream big. Coachella or the next Woodstock would be nice. Would love to play any place in England too. Would be so surreal to tour there, since most of our musical heroes came from there. RnRR: Okay, well with that in mind, for the last question I’ll ask something I ask many bands. In a year’s time, where would you like to be? What are your aspirations for the coming months? GELAX: We’re currently working on our first full album which is exciting because it’s going to be fully done with producer Tim Abraham, who we loved working with on our last 3 singles. He captures our moods and directions very well. Once completed , we aim to have a tour to support the album. We’re also targeting lots of festivals to play next year, so busy times! RnRR: Busy times indeed. All the best for the future and we’ll be sure to update the page with any of your news. Find out more about Gelax via their website at www.gelaxband.com
American rockers, Cold Shoulder chat to Edward Burnett about what the music means to them, upcoming projects and fan interaction. RnRR: Hi, would you mind introducing the band to our readers and what you specialise in? CS: Hi! We're Cold Shoulder and we've been a band for about a year now. We are a rock band that brings quite a bit of our influences to the table. I'd say we sound most like Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and a sprinkle of Seether. RnRR: Where are you guys from and what’s the story between you all meeting each other? CS: We are from Antioch, CA (near San Francisco) and actually met via Craigslist! Joe (guitar) and Jason (bass) were looking for a drummer and singer and had an ad posted. Marcus (Vocals) and Jacob (drums) were looking for a guitar player and bass player to jam with. We met up and played some covers and just clicked right away. I guess you would say the rest is history. RnRR: What a great backstory to a band on the up. Who would you say were your biggest inspirations for getting into music and actually going out there and having the confidence to form a band? CS: Great question. I'd say mostly Alice in Chains, Seether, Soundgarden, and then some older influences such as Motley Crüe. We also love the way some more nearby acts such as Slaves or Nerv navigates the music and digital space. Big shout out to Nerv with that actually, we got a chance to speak with Dillon the vocalist and we just loved the way the band performed and connects with the audience on multiple platforms. It's always fun to pick the brains of people who you feel do a great job. RnRR: Exactly and always good to acknowledge those that help and inspire along the way. So for new listeners, what songs would you recommend to give a real sense of the band? CS: We only have 2 singles out, "Don't Call Me" and "Know Your Enemy". They both have a different feel/style and would say to check both of them out. We'll have a new song coming out in early February as well! RnRR: Yes different styles indeed and throughly recommendable. Both obviously have a very heavy rock feel to them, which arguably gives them a strong personality in their own right. Is that what you’re aiming for with your February release too? CS: Yes definitely! It pulls a little more in the Alice In Chains direction, but is still very much heavy rock. RnRR: That’s good to hear that you’re sticking to your root inspirations. So other than a new single in February, what other plans do you have for the coming year and foreseeable future? CS: We are going to continue to write music and release every couple of months. We are planning to record an album or EP as well, but don't have a solid release as of yet. We'll always continue to play shows and are definitely looking to play shows further from our locale! RnRR: Exciting stuff, so with the mention of live shows, do you prefer to be on the stage rather than in the studio? Or are there significant pros to each? CS: We love being in the studio. It's so fun to explore the dynamics of our songs and discover new parts and layers. However, there's something so special about that connection that happens with an audience in front of you. We love playing to folks who like our music! RnRR: Very well said as live venue events always have a unique feel to them that you just can’t replicate. So one final question, this time next year, where would you like to be? Aspirations? CS: We would like to continue to grow our fan base and keep the connection we have with our fans. We would like to have our EP/album released and to be playing shows outside of our immediate area or even outside the state. Our favorite thing is the fan interaction and we're always brainstorming unique ways to connect. We have some cool stuff in the works for video ideas and showing what goes on behind the scenes. Some of that will be releasing more frequently as well. RnRR: Sounds like a good plan and looking forward to your future projects. Thanks for your time and we will be sure to update the site with any news coming from your camp. You can find out more about Cold Shoulder via their social media channels, @coldshoulderband on Instagram and @cold_shoulder4 on Twitter.
|
Archives
October 2022
|