LOVE IS A FIRE: Our interview with Glasgow-based singer-songwriter Bex Currie!

 

PART 1 - "THE INTERVIEW"

 

What was your first musical memory and what pushed you towards pursuing a career in the record industry?

 

"First musical memory, I have a really bad memory by the way, but the first thing I can clearly remember is my mum singing in my gran's house. It was a Patsy Cline song possibly 'I Fall To Pieces'. What pushed me towards a music career was when I went to see my favourite artist play live, Brandi Carlile. She was supporting Newton Faulkner. She was on stage with her band and she was this massive ball of energy and musical genius. She just looked like she was having the best night of her life and I thought to myself 'I want to do that'. So I went out the next week and bought myself a cheap guitar and taught myself to play. That was five years ago I think."

 

What kind of records were on around the house when you were younger and would you say that these records still have an influence on your music today?

 

"My mum listened to a lot of country, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash etc. and I just fell in love with their voices and the stories that their lyrics told. Celine Dion was also a big name in our house. I really wanted to be able to hit those big notes like her. I very quickly came to terms with the fact my voice was in no way capable of doing that. I think my music is more influenced by the music that I follow now. The likes of Brandi Carlile, Sara Bareilles, Sia and also a lot of the people I play alongside at singer/songwriter showcases. I often get little flashes of something when I'm listening to them."

 

Had you been involved with any other bands prior to becoming a solo artist as Bex Currie?

 

"No other bands really. I did try to form one years ago but I never have the free time to dedicate to it. It's a shame because I really would love to hear my songs with a much fuller sound to them."

 

Why did you choose to become a solo artist instead of forming a band?

 

"Again, like above it was just time constraints. I have a very active life with work and different volunteer projects I'm involved in. Music is always on the back burner. I really only play and gig for fun now."

 

How would you describe the sound of Bex Currie?

 

"I have no idea! Honestly I get asked that a lot and I have no idea how to answer the question. My music is just me. I write because its sometimes the only way I can express myself."

 

One of your most popular songs is ‘Love Is A Fire’. What is this song about and what influenced this?

 

"'Love Is A Fire' is one of my favourite songs. I was in the middle of the best relationship I had ever been in and my partner at the time told me if I was going to write a song about us/her then it had to be an upbeat happy song. I spent months working on it because I wanted to get it just right. It pretty much describes exactly how I felt about her at the time."

 

You have stated on your facebook that you are working towards introducing a backing band into your music. Why do you want to make this step?

 

"I just feel that as an acoustic act the sound you get on a recording isn't enough sometimes, especially for songs like 'Love Is A Fire'. When I play it in my head I can hear drums, electric guitars and strings all going and just bringing the whole tune together. I just have to find the time to make that work."

 

Do you have any 'rituals' before going on stage?

 

"If I'm not driving I'll have whiskey, neat, or sometimes a Grey Goose. It just settles the nerves a little for me. Other than that no! I don't do vocal warm ups or anything although I know I probably should."

 

Any live dates coming up?

 

"I'm playing on Saturday 30th November in The Vale which is next to Queen Street Station and also on Thursday 12th December at Fairfield Folk Club in Govan. That's in conjunction with Mick Hargan - great promoter and guy to work with. He has lots of patience and puts a lot of time into helping new acts get on some sort of platform to perform."

 

Any new songs in the pipeline?

 

"I've just roughly recorded a new song tonight and let it out there for people to hear. It's called 'Faint Of Heart' and can be found on my soundcloud."

 

When can fans be expecting the next release?

 

"I'm hoping that towards this time next year I'll be able to put an EP out with a few songs recorded with a full band. That's the ambition anyways."

 

Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

"Brandi Carlile. Hands down easy answer."

 

Who would be in your dream super group?

 

"Tough question. Phil Collins on the drums, Johnny Cash on guitar, I'd throw Brandi Carlile and her whole band in there too and then I'd probably have all my musical friends playing some part in it too!"

 

PART 2 - "THE QUICKFIRE ROUND"

 

Favourite Beatle?

 

"Ringo."

 

Favourite band?

 

"Couldn't possibly answer, there are far too many bands emerging to have a favourite."

 

Favourite new band?

 

"I'm in love with Haim at the minute."

 

Favourite song?

 

"Elastic Heart by Sia. It's totally my song of the year."

 

Favourite album?

 

"Brandi Carlile - Live At Benaroya Hall With The Seattle Symphony Orchestra or Sara Bareilles - Kaleidoscopic Heart."

 

Vinyl, CD or download?

 

"Download. As much as I love buying CD's I just don't have the space to store them. Downloading is easier and more convenient."

 

Style icon?

 

"I really don't have one. I don't follow fashion trends and I just throw on whatever is clean."

 

Favourite clothing brand?

 

"Again I don't have one. I'll pretty much wear whatever."

 

Favourite film?

 

"Miss Congeniality."

 

Favourite TV show?

 

"Grey's Anatomy at the minute."

 

Who would play you in a film of your life?

 

"Jennifer Lawrence. That would be awesome!"

 

Favourite food?

 

"Asian - Wagamama's is one of my favourite places to eat."

 

Football team?

 

"Glasgow City ladies team. Would rather pay to watch them in the pouring rain than go watch a men's game in the streaming sunlight. No foul play, no diving just pure football being played by ladies that want to be there."

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Bex Currie! Check out our previous feature on The Toi!

 

Check out Bex Currie on facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bex-Currie/119501394021

 

Check out Bex Currie on soundcloud here - www.soundcloud.com/bexcurrie

 

Check out Aldora Britain Records on soundcloud here - https://soundcloud.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB RECORDS

 

FIRE IN THE DAM: We have an in-depth chat with Soul & Fire and review their debut EP!

 

PART 1 - "THE REVIEW"

 

So, Soul & Fire, the latest folk/blues/rock band on the scene. What sets them apart though? Well, the answer to this question is there as-of-yet unreleased debut EP, which is due on October 12th. A date for the diaries. The EP shows why the band list Creedence Clearwater Revival as one of their main influences, as they take a more contemporary take on John Fogerty's original rootsy sound and mix it up with some jazzy drums. The first track "Fire in the Dam" makes for a strong opener and sets the tone for the rest of the EP. The band quickly race into a shuffling song called "Freedom" which is more danceable and even more impressive. The band remain on top form through the remaining three tracks - "Toot", "Flower" and "Wishing You Well". In the words of the band themselves, "on every track you can feel both the soul and the fire". A superb effort and from here Soul & Fire can only get bigger and better.

 

PART 2 - "THE INTERVIEW"

 

1 - What was your earliest musical memory and what inspired you towards pursuing a career in music?

 

Paolo: "I've always been, since thirteen years old, a fan of classical and jazz music thanks to my grandfather, greatest music listener in my entire family. From Giuseppe Verdi, Pavarotti, Placido and Domingo to the jazz of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman and I fell in love with jazz drums."

 

Dave: "I come from a musical family. My dad is an established musician, and all my brothers play, it's just what we do. I was inspired by my parents music collection, they were always playing vinyl's ranging from Beatles and 70's music to much more. I just remember the whole house filled with music, and music seemed a way of life."

 

2 - Had you been involved with any other bands prior to Soul & Fire?

 

Paolo: "Dozens of bands from fourteen years but only a few concrete ones."

 

Dave: "I've always played with my brothers in pubs as a covers band. 'The Mitchell Brothers'. I've jammed with lots of different people but nothing really took off. I had a brief spell with Suicide Party but have been a solo singer/songwriter for a couple of years."

 

3 - How did Soul & Fire?

 

Dave: "It all began in Sicily where we met. We jammed and bonded over Creedence Clearwater Revival and realised each others passion for music."

 

Paolo: "Yes, it was a nice coincidence of life. Join an Englishman and Sicilian both with great love and passion for music."

 

4 - Where did the name Soul & Fire come from?

 

  Dave: "Soul & Fire was one of my songs from my solo days, but we never got to grips with it as a duo. Then when we came around to renaming the band we racked our brains for weeks. Then Paolo phoned me half drunk and said..."

 

Paolo: "SOUL & FIRE. It also translates really nicely in Italian, 'anima e fuoco'."

 

5 - How would you describe the sound of Soul & Fire?

 

Dave: "We have a very raw sound. Bluesy rock and roll mixed with Sicilian percussion."

 

Paolo: "The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra, in English "Our Thing") ahahahahaha."

 

6 - Your debut EP is due in October. Can you tell us anything about it?

 

Paolo: "Great party."

 

Dave: "Haha, the launch party will be a great night. In regards to the EP itself, we wanted to produce the songs as close as we could to our live sound, so the EP is recorded live and retains our stage energy. It's a good mix of our different styles.

 

7 - Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

Paolo: "If they were all still alive Led Zeppelin...or Queen."

 

Dave: "Many bands spring to mind, but a realistic dream is that it would be cool to get back with my bros one day - with Paolo smashing out a full drum kit."

 

8 - Any new songs in the pipeline?

 

Dave: "We're always working on new material so you can expect new songs to appear in our live shows in the coming months."

 

9 - When can fans be expecting a new single, EP or album?

 

Dave: "Well the EP is released on 12th October. With regards to a single, we have made a video for our song "Wishing You Well" which will grace your screens very soon. We already have hours worth of material so an album is certainty possible...maybe in the new year."

 

10 - Any live dates coming up?

 

Dave: "We are happy to be involved in Music In The City in Southampton on October 5th at Weigh House but our big night will be the 12th."

 

11 - Who would be in your dream supergroup?

 

Paolo: "Freddy Mercury - voice, John Bonham - drums, Jaco Pastorius - bass, Dave Mitchell - guitar and Paolo Precoraro - percussion."

 

Dave: "Haha, that sounds good, maybe you could ass a bit of Morrison doing some crazy poetry interlude."

 

PART 3 - "THE QUICKFIRE ROUND"

 

1 - Favourite Beatle?

 

Paolo: "Ringo Starr."

 

Dave: "John Lennon."

 

2 - Favourite band?

 

Paolo: "So difficult! No favourite at all...I love the music that gives me emotion and makes me feel good."

 

Dave: "It changes all the time but most consistently The Doors and Pink Floyd."

 

3 - Favourite new band?

 

Paolo: "My favourite new bands are The Temperance Movement and Mamas Lips."

 

Dave: "Me too, but also loving Dead Rabbits new album."

 

4 - Favourite song?

 

Paolo: " O Sole Mio (Pavarotti)."

 

Dave: "No favourite song but currently "I Sat By The Ocean", Queens Of The Stone Age."

 

5 - Favourite album?

 

Dave: "L.A. Woman - The Doors."

 

Paolo: "Led Zeppelin II (1969)."

 

6 - Vinyl, CD or download?

 

Paolo: "CD."

 

Dave: "Vinyl."

 

7 - Style icon?

 

Paolo: "Johnny Depp (film) and Jamiroquai (music)."

 

8 - Favourite clothing brand?

 

Paolo: "I don't care, it is important that I am comfortable."

 

Dave: "Nothing really, I have a pair of Next boxers on, does that count?"

 

9 - Favourite film?

 

Paolo: "Maybe...The Goonies."

 

Dave: "Blow - Ted Demme."

 

10 - Favourite TV show?

 

Paolo: "I have not watched TV for more than one year!"

 

Dave: "Throw Away Your Television - Red Hot Chili Peppers."

 

11 - Who would play you in a film of your life?

 

Paolo: "Jim Morrison."

 

Dave: "Johnny Depp, everyone always says we look alike."

 

12 - Favourite food?

 

Paolo: "PASTAAAAA."

 

Dave: "English breakfast."

 

13 - Football team?

 

Paolo: "Palermo!"

 

Dave: "None."

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Soul & Fire! Check out our previous feature on Callahan!

 

Check out Soul & Fire here - https://www.facebook.com/soulandfireuk?directed_target_id=0

 

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB Records