How did the band start?
Well, me (Joe) and James knew each other from when I filled in on drums for a show with his old band at the end of 2017. I’d not spoken to him for a while after that, but he’d got in touch towards the end of 2018 mentioning that he was thinking of putting something new together with his best mate Mitch. We stayed in the rehearsal room for the best part of the year until our first show in October 2019. Sam was the last to join us on keys at the start of 2020!
How do you come up with your tracks?
Generally, James will bring in a bit an idea (verse/chorus) and then we’ll flesh it out together from there. It’s different every time though, some come together quickly and some definitely don’t!
What’s it been like working with the Blossoms record label?
We’ve loved it. It’s just nice that they take the time to provide a platform to support new bands like ourselves! We can’t speak highly enough of them lads, especially after we were lucky enough to tour with just before covid shut everything down. A really top live band and most importantly, lovely set of fellas!
What is your creative process like?
Like I say, James is the one who brings in the germ of an idea and then we’ll flesh it out as a collective. Lyrically, it’s all him though. We wouldn’t ever attempt to try and get in on that, it’d be awful… The only exception to the rule is ‘Jungle Man’ where he’d brought in a fully formed demo and we learnt the parts from there. It’s the probably the trickiest song I have to play in the set too…
What are your favourite and least favourite venues?
I wouldn’t like to say our least favourite venues, just in case we have to go back!There was some great ones on the Blossoms tour though. For me, playing Sheffield O2 Academy was a big one, as I’d been to gigs there as a kid, so that was definitely one to tick off the bucket list!
Do you have any upcoming shows?
It’s just really difficult at the minute, as we’re still none the wiser as to when full capacity indoor gigs will return. We’re planning for March/April but let’s wait and see. We actually played a socially distanced outdoor show at Hull Uni a week or two ago, which was nice. A little rusty after 6 months off the job though!
What has been the highlight so far?
Collectively, I think we’d all definitely say the Blossoms tour. It’s just the sort of tour you dream of as a kid and it was everything we hoped it would be and more! A real pleasure getting to watch not only them guys every night, but also The Magic Gang. We basically had a night out watching two ace bands every night for 10 days, all we had to do was make sure we did the business ourselves for 25 minutes at the start!
What other Independent music have you been listening to?
Most of the independent stuff I listen to is all pretty much Hull based. There’s the likes of Downtown Kayoto, who’s a really great new artist from Hull. Then there’s also good friends of ours, who also happen to make really ace music, such as Slowdaze and Low Hummer (I also play drums for Low Hummer, so I’m naturally biased. Sorry)
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
It’s mainly just how little cash there is in the business, until you get to the upper tier. Most of the tours we go on we’re already way in debt before we’ve even set off. Don’t get me wrong, that’s not why we do it, but it just sometimes gets a little difficult when you’re still working normal jobs alongside trying to do the band full-time and trying to do it to a standard that you’re happy with!
What’s next for you Guys?
It’s been a weird last week or so for us, as our bass player Charley has recently left, so the next couple of months will basically be us getting a new bass player settled in and then starting work on recording an EP from the end of November onwards. If this last year has taught us anything, it’s that it’s probably best not to plan too far in front!
Thank you Joe for the interview, You can follow and listen to this great band with the links below.
