Saturday 31 August 2013

HIGHER SURROUNDINGS: We talk to Rich from The Broxton Hundred!

 
PART 1 - THE 'INTERVIEW'
 

1 - Have you been involved with any bands prior to The Broxton Hundred?

"Yeah, we've all played in various bands. Myself and Gaz are both originally from Chester and were in a band together before this one. Rich O has been in a couple of bands round London, so we've all done stuff before this band."
2 - How did The Broxton Hundred begin?
"As I mentioned before, me and Gaz were originally in a band from Chester that came down to London. When that band split up myself and Gaz wanted to carry on and recruited Rich O to play the drums."
3 - Where did the name The Broxton Hundred come from?
"That actually comes from Chester again. It's an old way of splitting up counties into these things called 'Hundreds'. And Chester would have fell into that Hundred."
 
4 - How would you describe the sound of The Broxton Hundred?
 
"I guess all three of us bring a certain style to the sound. There's elements of psychedelia in the guitar lines. The rhythm section is quite dancy/funky and the melody lines are quite poppy. We want to bring that all together in good quality pop songs."  
5 - Your debut EP 'Higher Surroundings' is pressed in a vinyl sleeve and the CD has a vinyl effect about it. Do you consider yourself to be a retro band and are you inspired more by the vinyl age than the digital age of today?
 "I wouldn't class ourselves as a retro band necessarily. I personally still love to listen to music on vinyl, but I think vinyl sales are quite high now so that makes it modern as well. We made the CD like that because we thought it looked pretty cool. I think both formats have their place, and good music is good music whatever era it comes from."
 
6 - The EP itself is based around four incredibly catchy pop songs with hints of psychedelia. How did these four songs come about and what inspired the EP?

"I had three of the songs written on an acoustic at a time just before the band started. So Gaz had some of his guitar lines done, then when Rich joined we worked on them as a band. The other tune 'She Brings the Light' just came out of a jam in our rehearsal studio."
 
7 - The EP as a whole is a fine snapshot as you as a band, however, the title track 'Higher Surroundings' is definitely a highlight for me personally. What is the song itself about?
 
"Thanks! Its a sort of bit of a riposte to a falling out I had with someone. I'll leave it up to the listener to go over the lyrics though."

8 - You supported Folks last year. Folks themselves have already been on a bill with the likes of Noel Gallagher and Miles Kane. How did it feel being asked to support an already well-established act?
 
"It was great to be asked to support Folks especially after the band hadn't been together long. It was a good night and feels like we're on the right track getting asked to do gigs like that."
9 - Who would be your dream collaboration?

"Not really sure about a dream collaboration, as long as the music sounds good at the end of it. I think most of these collaborations are a bit of a disaster now, I associate them with people like Katy Perry getting Snoop Dogg on one of her tunes that sounds like he just rapped into his iPhone and sent it over."

10 - Any new songs in the pipeline?

"Yeah we're always working on new stuff and there's plenty of new songs on the horizon."

11 - When can fans expect the next EP or single?
 
"We're going to release a single in October, which will probably be digitally first and then have a physical release party sometime in November."
12 - Any live dates coming up?

"Were playing the purple turtle in Camden on 5th October. And 229 in Great Portland Street on 18th October"

PART 2 - THE 'QUICKFIRE ROUND'
 
1 - Favourite band?

"The La's."
 
2 - Favourite new band?

"The Broxton Hundred."
 
3 - Favourite song?

"Very difficult to answer but if I had to plump for a tune - Timeless Melody by The La's."
 
4 - Favourite album?

"A Storm In Heaven - Verve."
 
5 - Vinyl, CD or download?

"Vinyl."

6 - Style icon?

"Don't really have one."

7 - Favourite clothing brand?

"Adidas for trainers, not bothered about other brands as long as it looks good."

8 - Favourite film?

"Might Ducks 2."

9 - Favourite TV show?

"American Dad."

10 - Who would you like to play you in a film of your life?

"Don't know enough actors to make a choice for that."
 
11 - Favourite food?

"Roast dinner."

12 - Favourite sport?

"Football."
 
13 - Football team?

"Chester FC."
 
Hope you enjoyed this feature on The Broxton Hundred! Check out our previous feature on Memory Clinic!
 
You can listen to The Broxton Hundred here - https://soundcloud.com/thebroxtonhundred
 
You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabrittonrecords
 
AB Records

WHEN I SEEK SHELTER: Our interview with Memory Clinic from last week!

 
PART 1 - THE 'INTERVIEW'
 
1 - Had you been involved in any bands prior to Memory Clinic?
 
Phil: "Me and Dav used to be in an indie pop outfit called Pretty Places. We achieved a minute amount of success in our country. We were regularly played on BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru. Interviewed by Huw Stephens for his C2 show on Radio Cymru and we were also played on the Tom Robinson BBC Introducing Show on BBC Radio 6." 
 
Dav: "It was a good start I suppose."
 
Al: "I wasn't really involved in anything major except for jamming with a couple of bands around my area that didn't really make anything of it."
 
2 - How did Memory Clinic begin?
 
Phil: “Memory Clinic began from the ashes of Pretty Places. Myself and Dav had grown tired of Pretty Places as a band and our drummer left for university, so we wanted to start from fresh and pursue a more darker, dreamy sound."
 
Dav: “Essentially, Memory Clinic and Pretty Places are the same band, it’s just the sound we have now as Memory Clinic is what we aspired to pursue when we were in Pretty Places. We were just never quite able to achieve that kind of sound in the days of Pretty Places. It took a while to come to the realisation that we were able to do what we wanted to do all along, we were just going about it the wrong way.”
 
Al: “I had heard of Pretty Places and I liked the last couple of songs they released which were much darker in sound. I was approached by Phil at a party one night and he asked me if I was interested in joining the band. A few months later, I found myself at a practice session with them, and Dav and Phil expressed interest in changing the band name to Memory Clinic and pursuing a dreamier sound, and it all started from there really.”
 
3 - Where did the name Memory Clinic come from?
 
Phil: "I am a student nurse, which for now is my plan B, so if nothing comes up musically, I'll have something to "fall back on" so to speak. I was on placement in a hospital specialising in the assessment of patients with dementia, and on one of my days there I had been with a staff nurse in the memory clinic; a clinic specialising in the assessment of cognitive functions. I spoke to Dav on the phone during my dinner break and told him what I had been up to there. Upon hearing I had been in the memory clinic he told me "That's what the new band should be called!" and there you have it, that is why we are called Memory Clinic. Looking back, I don't think it evokes the nicest of imagery."
 
4 - How would you describe the sound of Memory Clinic?
 
Dav: “Pop music in disguise.”
 
Phil: “Pop music drenched in reverb, with a slight psychedelic twist. Dream pop, I suppose.”
 
Al: “Yeah, pop music from outer space.”
 
5 - Your debut EP, 'I Seek Shelter', takes it's name from one of the songs that features on it. Why did you choose this title?
 
Phil: "We tend to rely on Dav for titles most of the time and it was him that came up with the new 'When I Seek Shelter' for the third track. This song is basically about someone who has had a shit time, and has felt very vulnerable in the society he or she lives in and upon recovering from this, tells themselves to not go back to that way of living; 'don't go back there'. It's like some kind of personal mantra. I liked the overall theme of that song as it's something that a lot of people (I think) can relate to, the need to seek shelter from areas in their life that are negative. So from that I decided that it would be a fitting title for the EP."
 
6 - Are there any themes that run through your EP or does each song take influence from separate points?
 
Phil: "Our songs tend to be a mixture of personal experiences and completely made up situations. Each of the songs on the EP are about something completely different. I'm not that great when it comes to talking about the meaning of my songs!"
 
Dav: “The songs are to be interpreted in any way that the listener feels, but for me personally there is an underlying theme of wanting to leave home and experience the more exciting elements of life through a medium other than 9-5 work.”
 
Al: “For me it’s all about the music, I don’t really listen to the lyrics. I’m just a bitch for the rhythm!”
 
7 - Who would be your dream collaboration?
 
Phil: "I personally would absolutely love to work with Bradford Cox of Deerhunter. He has been a major influence on my song writing and the dreamy sound we have gone on to make as a band. I remember hearing Halcyon Digest for the first time and it literally blew my mind. It induced a drug like state of euphoria and that was the moment I really decided that this is what I want to do with my life." 
 
Al: “I would love to have a jam with Bob Dylan. Just me, him and two acoustic guitars.”

Dav: “A band with Yoko Ono and the ghosts of Brian Jones & Jimi Hendrix would make an interesting band. I’d also want Michael Stipe in the corner with a tambourine.”
 
8 - Any new songs in the pipeline?
 
Phil: "Lots."
 
Dav: “Countless.”

Al: “Whatever Phil brings to the practice when we meet up really. I also work on instrumentals in my own time.”
 
9 - When can fans expect a new single, EP or album?
 
Dav: “I’m not aware that there any fans out there but if there are, please get in touch. There’s a cookie in it for you.”
 
Al: “We have fans?!”
 
Phil: "Haha! We will be releasing a new track in the next couple of weeks. We will be releasing it on our Soundcloud page. We take releasing an album very seriously, and it's not something we aim to rush. Personally, I think that there will be a couple of EP's before we eventually release a debut album. It's really interesting to see a band like My Bloody Valentine's body of work before they actually released their debut album. They made an insane progression in sound from their early The Birthday Party-esque Goth rock sound they had when they first formed to the shoegaze sound of Isn't Anything and Loveless. As a band, we aim to progress in sound as time goes on. We do not want to be doing the same thing forever, I mean, that's just boring!"
 
 
10 - Who would be in your dream super group (dead or alive)?
 
Dav: “Johnny Marr, John Cale and the drummer from Blondie, his name escapes me.” (CLEM BURKE!)
 
Al: “Keith Moon on drums, Dick Dale on guitar, myself on bass & Todd Rundgren screaming random shit down the microphone.”
 
Phil: "Kevin Shields and Johnny Marr on guitars, Bradford Cox on Vocals and Panda Bear (Noah Lennox) on percussion and production duties."
 
PART 2 - THE 'QUICKFIRE ROUND'
 
1 - Favourite Beatle?
 
    Phil: “Lennon.”
 
Dav: “Lennon.”
 
Al: “Harrison.”
 
2 - Favourite band?
 
Phil: “The Beatles.”
 
Dav: “Today Mac DeMarco. Ask me tomorrow and it’ll probably be different.”
 
Al: “At the moment, Tame Impala.”
 
3 - Favourite new band?
 
Phil: “Tame Impala.”
 
Dav: “Um, Memory Clinic.”
 
Al: “Toy.”
 
4 - Favourite song?
 
Phil: “Very hard question! At the moment I’d have to go for Mind Mischief by Tame Impala.”
 
Dav: “At the moment, I’d probably have to go for Radio Friendly Unit Shifter by Nirvana, It’s been stuck in my head all day!”
 
Al: “Another Girl, Another Planet by The Only Ones”.
 
5 - Favourite album?
 
  Phil: “Either Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys or Sgt Pepper by The Beatles. Obvious choices but brilliant nonetheless.
 
Dav: “I’d have to agree with Phil, although Rubber Soul is a big contender for me.”
 
Al: “At the moment I’d have to go for A Wizard, a True Star by Todd Rundgren.”
 
6 - Vinyl, CD or download?
 
Phil: “Vinyl.”
 
Dav: “Vinyl.”
 
Al: “Vinyl.”
 
7 - Style icon?
 
Phil: “Brian Jones, The Smiths era Johnny Marr, Tom Dougall of Toy and many others!”
 
Al: “Temples as a band, Dom from Toy, Bob Dylan & The Jam era Paul Weller.”
 
                     Dav: “John Cooper Clarke, Jarvis Cocker and Transformer era Lou Reed. Syd Barrett.”
 
8 - Favourite clothing brand?
 
Phil: “I am partial to the old Topshop I must admit. Although I’m not a fan of everything they sell.”
 
Dav: “Oxfam and various vintage shops cater to my clothing needs.”
 
Al: “Topshop for my jeans, vintage shops and occasional Pretty Green shirt when I can afford it.”
 
9 - Favourite film?
 
  Phil: “The Shawshank Redemption.”
 
Dav: “American Beauty and/or American Psycho. Watching both after each other is quite a feast for the imagination.”
 
Al: “No Direction Home and any of the Simon Pegg/Nick Frost collaborations.”
 
10 - Favourite TV show?
 
Phil: “Peep Show or The Sopranos.”
 
Al:  “Spongebob Squarepants.”
 
Dav: “Arrested Development. When in a less enlightened mood, Date Line can be entertaining as can Road Wars.”
 
11 - Who would you like to play you in a film of your life?
 
Phil: “Edward Norton.”
 
Dav: “The recently deceased James Gandalfini.”
 
Al: “Rhys Ifans.”
 
12 - Favourite food?
 
Phil:  “Spinach and Ricotta Caneloni.”
 
Dav: “Hummus on toast.”
 
Al: “Bowl of pesto pasta with melted cheese.”
 
13 - Football team?
 
Phil: “I hate football.”
 
Dav: “I’d rather cover myself in braising oil and feed myself to a pack of rabid Rottweiler's than even comprehend watching a football match.”
 
Al: “Whoever the local team is!”
 
Hope you enjoyed this feature on Memory Clinic! Check out our previous feature on Stone Thieves!
 
You can listen to Memory Clinic's debut EP here - http://www.soundcloud.com/memoryclinic
 
You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabrittonrecords
 
AB Records

Tuesday 27 August 2013

ROSALENE: Interview with Tom and Aaron from Stone Thieves!

Photo: Keep your eyes open - Stone Thieves interview up next! AB Records x
 
PART 1 - THE 'INTERVIEW'
 
1 - Have you been involved with/been in bands prior to Stone Thieves?
 
Tom: "Yeah, me and Arch played together many moons ago."
 
Aaron: "Tom and I played together for a few years, could say it's a phoenix from the ashes."
 
2 - How did Stone Thieves begin?
 
Tom: "The old band me and Aaron were in went Pete Tong, so we started a new band and we needed a top drummer and Arch was the only person we wanted to get in because he's shit hot. And the rest is history."
 
Aaron: "The past band had it's reasons for ending, and it all ended on good terms, but Tom and I couldn't see our playing stopping."
 
3 - Where did the name Stone Thieves come from?
 
Tom: "Me and Aaron just pulled it out of the air."
 
Aaron: "It's actually the first lyric in the first song that we wrote together. The track, "Rosalene", is the opening track on our debut EP. 
 
4 - How would you describe the sound of Stone Thieves?
 
Tom: "Well it's just rock and roll with a bit of influence from the 60's, 70's, bit of Motown, bit of mod and a smidge of country and western".
 
Aaron: "We've got a broad taste in music between us, and we set out to play anything that we liked in a way, in terms of style. Didn't really plan any sound." 
 
5 - The title of your debut EP is taken from one of the songs - 'New Mexico'. What is this song about?
 
Aaron: "It's just a story about a boy and a girl with a distance between them. I've never been to New Mexico though! So it's nothing too deep."
 
6 - Why did you remove the opening track, 'Snake Charmer', from the EP?
 
Tom: "Because after a few listens, it didn't fit in with the rest of the EP and we've always seen it as more of a B-side."
 
Aaron: "We don't have a dislike for the track so much, we just feel that in terms of sound, we have moved on a bit. It's slowly dwindled from our live set too, in favour of what we believe are better songs."
 
7 - You've recently added a second guitarist to your line up. How did this come about and what does he bring to the sound?
 
Tom: Mike was a mutual friend who played in another band and he asked to join to see what he could bring to the table and after about an hour in rehearsal, he was in. He brings a more bulked up sound, dresses cool and fits in so it was a bit of a no brainer."
 
8 - You, as a band, have a very mod look about you. Do you consider yourself to be a mod band and has the mod movement influenced your music?
 
Tom: "No, we don't see ourselves as a mod band but the 60's influenced us more than the mods themselves. The thing is because we are a rock and roll band who like to loop sharp on stage with a bit of style, everybody assumes we are mods."
 
Aaron: "Let's just say you wouldn't catch us in hoodies and baseball caps on stage!"
 
Tom: "Or off stage for that matter!"
 
9 - Who would be your dream collaboration?
 
Tom: "It's got to either Elvis Presley or John Lennon."
 
Aaron: "I fancy working with a producer like Rick Ruben. The guy who done Johnny Cash's "American" collection. Like to see what somebody with a different musical background to us could do with our songs!"
 
10 - Any new songs in the pipeline?
 
Tom: "Yeah, we've always got songs in the pipeline. All of us have got ideas and bits and bobs that they want to try out."
 
Aaron: "I've got books of the fuckers! They come and go though."
 
11 - When can fans expect the next single/EP?
 
"We're thinking of going into the studio in a couple of months so watch this space."
 
12 - Any live dates coming up?
 
"Saturday 31st August at our local. The Horn, St. Albans."
 
PART 2 - THE 'QUICKFIRE ROUND'
 
1 - Favourite Beatle?
 
Tom: "Lennon."
 
Aaron: "Jagger."
 
2 - Favourite band?
 
Tom: "Beatles."
 
Aaron: "Stones."
 
3 - Favourite new band?
 
Tom: "Miles Kane."
 
Aaron: "James Skelly & The Intenders."
 
4 - Favourite song?
 
Tom: "American Trilogy, Elvis."
 
Aaron: "Outlaw, Eugene McDaniels."
 
5 - Favourite album?
 
Tom: "Harvest, Neil Young."
 
Aaron: "Exile On Main Street."
 
6 - Vinyl, CD or download?
 
"Vinyl."
 
7 - Style icon?
 
"Brian Jones, Steve McQueen, Steve Marriott. The usual."
 
8 - Favourite clothing brand?
 
"Pretty Green, Art Gallery Clothing."
 
9 - Favourite film?
 
"Young Guns."
 
10 - Favourite TV show?
 
"Only Fools And Horses."
 
11 - Who would you like to play you in a film of your life?
 
Tom: "Anyone, I'm not fussed."
 
Aaron: "Clint Eastwood."
 
12 - Favourite food?
 
Tom: "Pie and mash."
 
Aaron: "Fish fingers, smiley faces, spaghetti hoops."
 
13 - Football team?
 
Tom: "I'm Tottenham, Archie is Fulham and our new recruit is a goner. Aaron couldn't care less."
 
Hope you enjoyed this feature on Stone Thieves! Check out our previous feature on Ryan Norrie!
 
You can download Stone Thieves' debut EP for free here - www.reverbnation.com/stonethieves
 
You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabrittonrecords
 
AB Records


Monday 26 August 2013

GOLDEN EYES: Ryan Norrie is interviewed about his upcoming album and much more!

 
PART 1 - THE 'INTERVIEW'
 
1 - Have you been involved in any other bands or musical ventures prior to going solo as Ryan Norrie?
 
"There's been a few bands, most never really got off their feet, the only band I played gigs with was "Delusional". They were like experimental rock, a mash up between The Mars Volta and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I played bass with them for about half a year, it was descent, just musically it wasn't really my thing in the end."
 
2 - What pushed you towards becoming a solo artist originally?
 
"Honestly, I always wanted to be a lead man in a rock 'n' roll band. Like your Liam Gallagher, Richard Ashcroft, Alex Turner, Lee Mavers, those kind of guys, I'd still love to have a go at that one day. The thing was though, trying to get 4/5 lads with instruments in a room on a regular basis just wasn't happening. Too much relying on people, excuses on why they couldn't make practice, just let me down too many times. Then the more I got into Bob Dylan, Donovan, Billy Bragg and the likes, I thought, I'll just go it alone. Let the world hear my tunes, see how it goes."
 
3 - How would you describe your sound?
 
"Mash up of Bob Dylan, The La's and Oasis."
 
4 - Your debut album is going to be called 'Common Ground'. Why?
 
"It kind of just came to me, reason being probably that everyone has different jobs, backgrounds, problems but music is a sort of common ground that we all have, we can all relate to it."
 
5 - You've made a few of your songs available online already. One of these is 'Golden Eyes' - great song. Will this song be featuring on your album and what is the song itself about?
 
"It will feature on the album, I've still too record the studio version of it but that's a really new tune, wrote it this month. The song is about someone you have lost; trying to think back to the great times you had with him/her and "raise a glass" to them up in the sky. If I was looking into it more, Golden Eyes would probably be the stars in the sky."
 
6 - Who would be your dream collaboration?
 
"Straight away I'd think Noel Gallagher but this might be a shock to people who know me well, but it'd bee Lee Mavers of The La's. I just think he's a genius, very like my style of music and with only one album, such a wasted talent. We'd make one hell of a tune I think."
 
7 - Any new songs in the pipeline?
 
"I'm always writing songs, in terms of pipeline, only with the 12 songs being recorded for the album. But I'll be putting a lot more demos up in the future such as "Golden Eyes" to make sure my fans know I'm always working!"
 
8 - When can fans be expecting the album?
 
"Christmas 2013 - Easter 2014. The album process is going very well but slow, so I wouldn't stick a date on it yet. Four songs out of twelve done, so still a bit to do! So far, "Lyle's Lane", "One For Me", "Last Boy" and "Told To Vote" have all been recorded."
 
9 - Who would be in your dream supergroup (dead or alive)?
 
"Liam Gallagher - vocals, John Lennon - rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Johnny Marr - lead guitar, Mani - bass and Keith Moon - drums."
 
PART 2 - THE 'QUICKFIRE ROUND'
 
1 - Favourite Beatle?
 
"John Lennon."
 
2 - Favourite band?
 
"Oasis."
 
3 - Favourite new band?
 
"The Clocktower. Check them out!"
 
4 - Favourite song?
 
"Looking Glass by The La's."
 
5 - Favourite album?
 
"Eh...there's three favourite: Definitely Maybe - Oasis, Bread And Circuses - The View and The La's - The La's."
 
6 - Vinyl, CD or download?
 
"Vinyl!"
 
7 - Style icon?
 
"Liam Gallagher or Kyle Falconer."
 
8 - Favourite clothing brand?
 
"Pretty Green."
 
9 - Favourite film?
 
"Shaw shank Redemption."
 
10 - Favourite TV show?
 
"Still Game."
 
11 - Who would you like to play you in a film of your life?
 
"James Buckley."
 
12 - Favourite food?
 
"Indian."
 
13 - Football team?
 
"Dundee FC."
 
Hope you enjoyed this feature on Ryan Norrie! Check out our previous feature on Bright Smoke!
 
 
You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabrittonrecords
 
AB Records

Saturday 24 August 2013

PARALLEL MINDS: Bright Smoke has a in depth chat to us about almost everything, even chocolate cake...!

 
PART 1 - THE 'INTERVIEW'
 
1 - Had you been involved with any bands or musical ventures prior to Bright Smoke?
 
"There were brief periods in the past where I had collaborated and performed the odd gig with other people, but I've predominantly always been a solo artist."
 
2 - Bright Smoke is a solo venture. What originally pushed you towards becoming a solo artist as opposed to a band member?
 
"I have always been heavily influenced by other artists that have mainly performed on their own; Melanie Safka and Joni Mitchell for example. I find the simplicity forces the listener to engage in the lyrics and guitar in a way that makes the music very emotive, powerful and provocative. You are on your own, it's a much more intimate experience."
 
3 - Where did the name Bright Smoke come from?
 
"A close friend of mine actually came up with the name. It's from the original Shakespeare script of Romeo And Juliette. The full quote is "feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire". I find the imagery that the name "Bright Smoke" creates works very well with my image. I picture bright colours and incense smoke burning.
 
4 - Why do you perform under the name of Bright Smoke instead of Byrony Marie Fry?
 
"I changed my stage team to "Bright Smoke" from my previous, and actual name "Byrony Marie Fry" for many reasons. Firstly, it's easier to spell, pronounce and remember! I recently took a big time out after having an operation to remove my tonsils, during this break I also re-evaluated where my music was going. I then spent months writing new material and teaching myself better guitar techniques. I have also been t-total for over a year now and my life has drastically changed. The new name represents a fresh start both musically, personally and socially." 
 
5 - Your sound is similar to some of the great female folk singers such as Joan Baez. How would you describe your sound?
 
"I would say it's a throw back to 60's/70's acoustic folk with a modern twist and soulful vocals. I write very openly about issues that have directly affected me. This automatically creates a lot of emotion and clarity due to the passion behind my vocals."
 
6 - You have already made some of your material available on your YouTube page. One of the stand out tracks that you have put up is 'Parallel Minds'. What is the song actually about?
 
"This song is all about me wanting to move to New York one day. I have never been there, but have researched the Williamsburg art and music scene and it's absolutely buzzing! The song expresses how I am free within my own mind and a fresh start in a new country wouldn't be me running away. I've dealt with addictions in the past, tried to move cities, but my problems came with me. I guess the song is just a letter to myself, and to the world, that I am ready to move on and leave the past behind me, for good this time."
 
7 - Who would be your dream collaboration?
 
"That would have to be Melanie Safka. I was brought up listening to her music. She played at Woodstock 1969 alongside Hendrix, Joplin and Jefferson Airplane, and she's still gigging and going strong. I have been in contact and after sending her a video to one of my songs "Glimmer and Spark", she replied saying that my passion and sincerity had "reignited her spark". I literally cried there and then!
 
8 - Any new songs in the pipeline and when can fans expect a new single or EP?
 
"I have a RIDICULOUS amount of new material. It's unreal. I write at least 3/4 songs a fortnight. I usually end up gigging at least one of them. I'm just in the process of organising recording quite a few of my new songs so I can get some MP3's out there. I won't release my EP as "Bright Smoke" until I've got a lot more exposure though."
 
9 - Any live dates coming up?
 
"I'm playing Southsea Fest on Psychedelia Stage on the 14th September. New Cross Inn in London on the 18th September, then at The Hobbit in Southampton on the 21st September. After that it's the Psychedelia Birthday Weekend on 6th October at The Cellar in Southampton."
 
10 - Who would be in your dream supergroup?
 
"Hmm depends if you mean alive or dead musicians?! Well, if they were alive it would be interesting to see if all these guys were put in the same room to jam: Jack White, Bob Dylan, Melanie Safka, Josh Tilman, Toots Hibbert and Stevie Wonder. If they were dead it would be Marc Bolan, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Shannon Hoon and Bob Marley."
 
PART 2 - THE 'QUICKFIRE ROUND' 
 
1 - Favourite Beatle?
 
"John Lennon."
 
2 - Favourite band?
 
"This is near on impossible. Apart from the obvious... The Rolling Stones, The Kinks etc... The Libertines would be high up there. Father John Misty, The Maccabees, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Mystery Jets?! Honestly couldn't just pick one. I'm indecisive on this one."
 
3 - Favourite new band?
 
"Temples. That's only so easy to answer because they are fucking awesome!!"
 
4 - Favourite song?
 
"Melanie Safka - Beautiful People / Bob Marley - Redemption Song (that's like the ultimate two choices in a life or death situation. We'd be here all day otherwise!)"
 
5 - Favourite album?
 
"Hmmm this is a very tricky one too! Toss up between Father John Misty - Fear Fun, Joni Mitchell - Court And Spark, Amy Winehouse - Back To Black, The Beatles - Revolver, The Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed...the list goes on and on!!!"
 
6 - Vinyl, CD or download?
 
"I currently have a list of 1000 vinyls I am going to purchase when I buy my first record player and start collecting vinyl. For now it's either CD or online."
 
7 - Style icon?
 
"This is tricky because I have quite a psychedelic colourful 60's vibe. Style icons range from Twiggy to Karen O! I'm more inspired by movements rather than particular people."
 
8 - Favourite clothing brand?
 
"I actually don't wear brands! I've only shopped in charity or vintage shops for the last six years. I have quite strong views on the exploitation of workers in foreign countries, and I think it's daylight robbery what people pay for the sake of having a label. I'd rather give that money to charity and buy something unique than become a commercialised clone to the modern fashion industry!"
 
9 - Favourite film?
 
"Amelie (which I also decided to call my flat faced Persian gremlin of a cat)."
 
10 - Favourite TV show?
 
"Time Team. (Don't laugh)."
 
11 - Who would you like to play you in a film of your life?
 
"This is something I have never ever thought about?! My life would make a pretty crazy film. I reckon Drew Barrymore would portray my quirks and free spirit quite well."
 
12 - Favourite food?
 
"Chocolate cake. I do love the cake."
 
13 - Football team?
 
"What's football?"
 
Hope you enjoyed this feature on Bright Smoke! Check out our previous feature on Soldier On!
 
You can see Bright Smoke perform 'Parallel Minds' here - http://www.youtube.com/user/BrightSmokeHQ/videos
 
You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabrittonrecords
 
AB Records

KNOTS & CROSSES: We talk to Jordan and the rest of Soldier On and they reveal the title of their debut EP - 'Eggs For Breakfast'!


Photo: As promised our interview with Glasgow-based band Soldier On will be up shortly! Within it they announce the title of their debut EP! AB Records x
 
THE 'INTERVIEW'

1 - Had you been in any bands/experimented with other bands before Soldier On?

Yes, however, they were never at the standard of which we have achieved with Soldier On. The experience of playing in bands previously has helped us immensely .

2 - How did Soldier On begin?

It could be said that we found each other. I (Jordan) already knew Ross and had already conjured a pre-meditated idea with Liam. Finding Ben and Stevie was fate, as they worked in the same pub we all drank in.

3 - Where did the name Soldier On come from?

A brain storming session. No political affiliation intended. You've just got to get moving in life and pick up the pieces, that's what it means.

4 - How would you describe Soldier On's sound?

It’s a very raw and rugged sound. We take a lot of inspiration from the sixties, everything from style to the guitar sounds of Keith Richards and Ray Davies.

5 - You, as a band, are always looking good and well turned out. Is style something that is important to you and is style as important as the music?

Massively important, having great songs means nothing if you don’t have a good image. People can’t relate to bands where every member looks completely different.

6 - Your sound is quite raw and explosive with a nod back to some of the great bands of the sixties such as the Stones, the Yardbirds etc. Is this something you aimed for or was it just natural?

It was intentional. Why wouldn't you want to sound like the Stones or The Small Faces? They've stood at the top of the pedestal since the 60's and we guarantee that none of this mob from modern charts are going to come anywhere near them. We're bringing it back!

7 - It's obvious that you put a lot of energy into performing live and Soldier On are quite a tight collective when performing live. Is the live performance important to you and have you had to put a lot of effort into perfecting your live performance or was it something that just clicked straight away?

Definitely, we love performing live and it’s what makes people want to keep coming back to see us. I think it shows when a band rehearses a lot and it pays off.

8 - After your manager sent me a link to your as-of-yet unreleased EP I have not been able to stop playing it. While I adore all the fast, rocking songs on there, one song stood out for me. 'Knots & Crosses' - a much slower song that harks back to some of the Stones' more country-esque songs in the Exile On Main St era. What is the inspiration behind the song and what is the song itself about?

Absolutely! However, Angie, by The Stones was the main influence. Not in terms of the song's structure or melody, just the meaning and emotion that is present through the song.

9 - You've already been asked to perform in Liam Gallagher's Pretty Green store in Glasgow, among other places. What would be your dream gig?

We all answer this question differently, but for me (Jordan) it's got to be 90000 at Wembley.

10 - What would be your dream collaboration?

I'd love to hear Chris Helme of The Seahorses do a rendition of our 'Knots and Crosses'.
 
11 - Any new songs in the pipeline and when can fans be expecting an EP/album?

Our debut EP is due out in the coming months and will be entitled “Eggs for Breakfast”.

12-Any live dates coming up?

This weekend we are playing at a new festival in our hometown of Irvine called “Freckfest” which will be headlined by The Magic Numbers. We are also supporting Mark Morris of the Bluetones on the 28th and 29th of September in Pebbles, Troon and Fannys, Kilmarnock.

THE 'QUICKFIRE ROUND'
 
1 - Favourite band?
 
Liam: "At the moment, The Beatles"
Ben: "Oasis"
Ross: "Oasis"
Stephen: "Oasis"
Jordan: "The Beatles"

 
2 - Favourite new band?
 
Liam: "Beady Eye"
Ben: "Miles Kane"
Ross: "Beady Eye"
Stephen: "Beady Eye"
Jordan: "The Strypes"
 
3 - Favourite song?
 
Liam: "The Beatles - Girl"
Ben: "Oasis - The Girl In The Dirty Shirt (one of many)"
Ross: Oasis - "Roll It Over (this will be different next week probably)"
Stephen: "Oasis - Rock n Roll Star"
Jordan: "Let's Go Fly A Kite - R. Sherman (Mary Poppins soundtrack)"
 
4 - Favourite album?
 
Liam: "Fleetwood Mac - Rumours"
Ben: "Courteeners - St Jude"
Ross: "Gotta be Oasis Definitely Maybe or Be Here Now"
Stephen: "Oasis - (What's The Story) Morning Glory?"
Jordan: "The Beatles - Rubber Soul"
 
5 - Vinyl, CD or download?
 

Liam: "Vinyl"
Ben: "Vinyl or CD, always like having a hard copy"
Ross: "Vinyl"
Stephen: "Vinyl or CD"
Jordan: "Vinyl"

 
6 - Style icon?
 
Liam: "Brian Jones"
Ben: "Miles Kane"
Ross: "Liam Gallagher"
Stephen: "Liam Gallagher"
Jordan: "Brian Jones"
 
7 - Favourite clothing brand?
 
Liam: "Pretty Green"
Ben: "Fred Perry"
Ross: "Fred Perry or Pretty Green"
Stephen: "Pretty Green"
Jordan: "Pretty Green"
 
8 - Favourite film?
 
Liam: "Hot Fuzz"
Ben: "The Great Escape"
Ross: "Just now it's A Scent Of A Woman"
Stephen: "Dumb And Dumber"
Jordan: "Pulp Fiction"
 
9 - Favourite TV show?
 
Liam: "The Thick Of It"
Ben: "Match Of The Day"
Ross: "Spongebob Square Pants"
Stephen: "The Inbetweeners"
Jordan: "The Thick Of It"
 
10 - Who would you like to play you in a film of your life?
 

Liam: "Peter Capaldi as Malcolm Tucker"
Ben: "Rhys Ifans"
Ross: "Al Pacino in his younger days of course"
Stephen: "James Buckley"
Jordan: "Russell Brand"

 
11 - Favourite food?
 
Liam: "Pasta"
Ben: "Anything in a sandwich"
Ross: "I love food in general"
Stephen: "Nandos"
Jordan: "Ice poles"
 
12 - Football team?
 
Liam: "Celtic"
Ben: "Manchester United"
Ross: "Manchester United"
Stephen: "Manchester United"
Jordan: "Rangers"
 
Hope you enjoyed this feature on Soldier On! Check out our previous feature on Mamas Lips!
 
You can see Soldier On perform their cover of 'Jumping Jack Flash' here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7MHkLfXhV8
 
You can listen to two tracks from 'Eggs For Breakfast' here - https://www.facebook.com/WeAreSoldierOn/app_178091127385
 
You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabrittonrecords
 
AB Records