An interview with The Narrows

After an amazing end of year where they saw their Christmas being played in a lot of radio stations, The Narrows kindly answered to some questions for me and YOU!.

First of all, can you introduce the band to the one(s) who hasn't read my previous post about The Narrows?

The Narrows are a dark electronic horror-pop band from Manchester. We make futuristic music with very loud guitars to enjoy the apocalypse by.

How did you all meet and who got the idea to make this band?

We’ve known each other since we were about 14 and have been in a few bands with each other before. But this time, everything just felt right.

Where does come from the name of the band?

It’s very geeky, but it is actually the name of the ghettoised area of Gotham City in the Batman graphic novels. We are not cool kids.
How came the inspiration to write the songs? And are you writing the songs all together?

The inspiration for the songs come from actually wanting to write about things that are happening in the world, and not just inconsequential love songs whose sentiments have been said a thousand times before. We have a voice and an opinion and we will shout it. We write all together, in a little room, with no escape.

How would you describe your music?

Dark, futuristic electronic guilt pop about paranoia, guilt, fear and modern society.
Why did you choose (if we can choose) this genre of music?

It chose us.
I discovered The Narrows thanks to the great Shell Zenner, how did you get in contact with her?The wonders of Twitter and social networking!

In my presentation of The Narrows here, I compared the band to Miike Snow, because the 2 bands use to do some kind of electro music using some "real" instruments and not only Computer and synthesizer. Is Miike Snow, a band you like and is there another band to who you could compare your work?

Miike Snow is indeed a band we like, but we have only become aware of them very recently. It’s difficult tocompare your work to other artists, as its like being asked to compare your child to another child. But, our influences are Bjork, Kraftwerk, Serge Gainsbourg, Scott Walker, Queens of The Stone Age and Radiohead.

For this Christmas, you made a new song, which was, on my opinion, totally different of the rest of your songs. Something more acoustic and less electronic. Why this abrupt change? (Do you think Santa woulnd't dance on that song?)

We had to make it acoustic because the BBC asked us to do it! And in Britain, you HAVE to do what the BBC say! It just kind of felt right for the type of song it became. We try not to restrict ourselves to styles too much. This is why some people may be surprised at what the album sounds like. And Santa would dance to anything. As long as he’s had enough brandy.

Also this song, Santa, Is That You Outside My Window?, has been played on different radios before Christmas, did you think this song would have such a good answer?

No! We just did as a little Xmas gift for people who liked our music and it kind of took off. But we’re not complaining. It’s pretty great that people seem to really like it.

Was it a first for you to write a song for a "special occasion"?

Phil and Adam secretly wrote and recorded a song for Dave’s birthday this year. It was a euro-dance pop smash called Guy 2 Guy. If anyone ever hears it we’re ruined.

What the past of all the members in the music industry? Have you been in other bands?

Yeah, we’ve been in other bands. This time it’s serious.

What would you do if music would be banned from our life?

I’m not entirely certain. But I don’t think I’d be very happy about it.

You have 2 videoclips for 2 of your songs, and in the both videoclips, the "story" is related to death, why?

Because death is the only certainty in life. Which is horribly, horribly ironic.

Is there a director with who you'd love to work?

Haneke / Kubrick / The Coen Brothers / Hitchcock / Goddard / Woody Allen / Orson Welles / Billy Wilder / Wes Anderson / Dario Argento

Where does come your love for music? Is there another art you'd love to work in?

Phil made a feature film once. So film and writing. Dave is pretty good at drawing skulls. Our love of music is either because of or despite of our parents, depending on who you ask.

What was the first ever album you bought and the first ever gig you went to?

They are both so embarrassing I genuinely don’t feel I can repeat them without destroying y reputation.

Is there a place/venue/country/city where you'd love to play?

Paris. New York. Then we’d retire.

Is there an artist with who you'd dream to work?

Any of the ones we mentioned before. And you can add Daft Punk and Prince to the list.

What are you wish(es) and resolution(s) for 2012?

That we survive long enough to finish the album. And that people hear it and like it.

Do you have a message for your fans?

Yes. Have a good time. All the time.

A new drummer for MovE!

Last week, MovE was pleased to introduce their new drummer. Yes after one year in the band and loads of gigs, our beloved Lewis choose to go into another direction.  So please, say Welcome to :

Dayle Smith

MovE is not the 1st band of Dayle as he's also playing drums for The Kinells but unfortunatelly, they haven't played for few months.

Dayle will play his first ever gig with MovE, this Friday 23rd December at the Donkey in Leicester . Early Xmas present for the band. 

The Narrows and a Christmas special gift!

For this 2011 Christmas, The Narrows are happy to give you a special song as a beautiful present.

You can download it (for free remember) FROM HERE .

The song is called "Santa, Is That You Outside My Window?" and it's really different from their usual song as it's acoustic guitar/soft electric guitar/piano/small bells and smooth voices.

                Here is the lyrics (and copyrights):

Let me in. 

Please let me in. 

It’s cold and I can’t feel my hands at all. 

Let me in. 

Please let me in. 

I know you’re scared ‘cos you are only small. 

Let me in. 

Please let me in.

I’ve got everything that you will ever need. 

Let me in. 

Please let me in. 

I’ve got reindeer’s mouths that I have got to feed. 

I’ve flown around the world.

And I’m tired. 

I need rest. 

And in only a few years, you won’t love me. 

I won’t exist. 

Let me in.

Please let me in. 

I promise you I’ll make it worth your while. 

Let me in. 

Please let me in. 

I only ever want to see you smile.

credits

released 12 December 2011 Written, produced and performed by The Narrows.

         

(One of this lyrics makes me think of me and my fucking desease!!)

 

 

The Narrows

The Narrows is a bunch of crazy guys coming from Manchester. How did I discovered them? Thanx to *drum roll* Miss Shell Zenner ! Yeah one more time, I discovered a band thanx to her shows and her blogs.

The Narrows are :

David Battle
Phil Drinkwater
Adam J. Hynes

They describe their sound as "dark futuristic electro guilt pop". 

I know their music is quite different of the music I usually listen but in a way it's much closer to my usual style than you can imagine! They "rock" in their way.

Everybody needs to bring some good "dancing" music in their playlist and this is the kind of "dancing" music I like. Some real music with real instruments and not only computers....

Im a huge fan of Miike Snow and in a way, I find some of the same element in The Narrows's music.

One of their song "Able Danger" has become one of my alarm clock! Yup, how to be happy as soon as you have to wake up and think of work...

On their Facebook page, they give you a list of festivals/gigs they made this year and they played in some famous place like T in The Park, FOM Fest and Eurocultured.They have headlined the O2 Academy2 in London and The Ruby Lounge in Manchester. 

They also released 3 EPs: 

Through Constant Decay that you can buy on this link by naming your price ( but please don't give only 1£!!!)

Initials MM and Able Danger that you can buy for only 1£ on this links.

 

You can find them on Their official Website , Their Facebook page , Their Youtube Page , Their SoundCloud , and following them on their Official Twitter . 

I think It's time for The Narrows to travel threw Europe and see a bit of the Parisian scene!! ;)

Interview with Doyle and The FourFathers

Doyle and the FourFathers is at the moment on tour with The Undertones, but during one of their day off, they kindly answered to some questions for me! Here we go.

First of all, can you introduce me the band?

We have Ben Clark on the Electric Guitar.

Michael Goozee on the Bass Guitar.

Alex Urch on The Drums

and I am William Doyle, singer and acoustic guitar.

How did you all meet and where did come the idea to put all your talents together?

We met at College but we didn't start to play with each other until afterwards. Most of us had been in previous bands and collaborated with each other on different things. I was making solo stuff for a while and wanted a backing band for some new songs I'd written so we could perform live. It didn't take long before it turned into a more collaborative effort between 4 friends.

Important question: Why did you choose this name for the band?

There used to be 5 of us and so it used to be me (Doyle) and 4 others. We're down to 3 others now but by the time that happened we'd already had the name for a while and we'd started to make a bit of a splash. We just stuck with it. Inevitably, we get asked about the elusive 'fourth father' all the time. We usually think up who it might be on the spot in which case. Maybe one day we'll actually have a real one…

You're from Southampton like the band Band of Skulls, do you like their music?

No.

How would you describe your music?

We usually go for 'Alternative Pop'. That seems to be the most accurate classification so far. Not sure how long that will remain true.

Can you tell us what the most important thing, music brings you? And how did you (all of you) decided one day to become a musician?

Will:I thrive on music. I can't do anything else at all well. Being able to create it just gives me an outlet that helps me to understand, reinterpret, recontextualise and appreciate the world and culture around me. I started playing guitar when I was 10 because I started to listening to bands. After realising the unique experience listening music gave to me it was quite a natural thing to want to create it too.

Alex: Music brings so much. I couldn't pin it down to one most important thing. It conveys different emotions in the simplest way possible. It is the best form of teamwork, and it personally gives me a sense of purpose.

I became a musician due to the number of talented musicians in my family. I guess i was always going to play an instrument as I grew up, and there just happened to be a drum kit in the house when apparently I had a lot of energy to vent and when I wanted to play an instrument.

Ben: Harmony. That is the most important thing that music gives me: not necessarily chordal homophony, but rather moments of peace and realisation. I think I first decided to be a musician when I scribbled on a page, eyes shut, at primary school, and upon showing the drawing to my teacher, he told me that it uncannily resembled the Scottish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Mike: More Bass, insomnia. Also, I like a challenge.

What would you do if it was impossible for you to play music?

I think I'd just end up being a writer instead. So pretty much just doing 50% of what it is I do already. Just without the music. That'd be a sad state of affairs though, wouldn't it?

In 2010, you played the ‘Save 6 Music’ protest gig in London, how had you been involve in this gig?

We heard the station was shutting down and we were outraged. We managed to adhere ourselves to the campaign and got to know some of the organisers. They were having a protest with some bands at it and we got asked to play. We happily obliged.

You also played a live session on the BBC6 Music Show for Marc Riley, one of the most famous DJ of the station, how did that happen?

Ben sent him a CD with a Post-It note that Riley found endearing. Then he listened to the CD and realised it was actually decent. He's been a fan ever since!

Thanx to that session, your fanbase suddenly get bigger. What was your feeling when that happen, and what's your reaction when you realise that someone just discovered you and is already a huge fan?

It's hard to judge if your fanbase increases at all, especially at our level... We still play to one man and his uninterested dog on occasion. But when people do see us, we only ever get a good reaction which is so very encouraging and just continues to spur us on.

I know you found your inspiration in the differents artists/musics from the last 60 years but can you give me someone who really inspired you?

Radiohead. The Fall. David Bowie. Pulp. It's hard to formulate a big list, really. We all listen to and inspired by different things and people.

You played in several places in England, what's your best memories?

Every city is different. We've had a lot of fun on tours in the past. I'm not sure if we have any specific memories that are worth sharing above any others though. We'd need to have a whole separate interview about the various hijinks that ensue. The north west is usually where the best gigs occur. Going on tour with The Undertones this year has offered up many amazing experiences and the chance to play to some great crowds.

And have you find the most addicted fans?

We have one fan who has seen us 70 times now. Pretty amazing!

Is there a place, a country or a venue where you would really love to play?

Paris!

And is there an artist with who you would love to collaborate?

I think I'd find it quite terrifying to work with any of my heroes. Maybe Scott Walker could produce our 3rd album or something? That'd be cool.

You've released a full album this year, what was the kind of reaction you had in the fanbase and in the music industry?

Our fanbase seemed to love it. The music industry apparently did not. Shame. We worked hard on it. It's a year later now though so we're just on to the next thing. Keep working.

Do you use your music to help send a message?

With these new songs we're just about to put out on our Olympics Critical EP - yes, there is a direct political message. I think it's important that bands use their outlets to speak about important things, otherwise you've just got a load of people with nothing to say. That doesn't help anyone.

Do you have a « favorite song » in all the songs you already wrote? Mine is « when will the children learn? »...

I think Shape & Form is the best thing we've done so far.

Talking about this song, who had the idea of the videoclip and how did you find those little boys?

I can't remember who came up with the idea. The boys were our manager's nephews and friend's sons. It was all good fun.

I also really love « the governor of Giving Up », this song always makes me think of a western song. Is it what you wanted people to think about it?

I suppose there is a galloping rhythm that evokes images of horses running or something. We used a horse on the single cover. But overall, no. There was no intention to make people think of that.

You're gonna have a new EP out next year, could you give us some hints about this new songs?

They are 4 songs which we recorded on a boat called Lightship 95. They all take on a bit more of a political stance than anything that the band has produced up until now. I felt that next to no young bands were talking about anything important when all of this stuff was happening around them so I decided that we should make a bold and somewhat brash statement to really open the floodgates. I don't think we lost our sense of humour with it though. That's an important thing to keep a hold of.

Give me 5 words to describe the band:

Ben. Will. Alex. Mike. Rock.

William, could you sing in another language?

See 'L'Enfant Terrible' on our upcoming EP! It's only a phrase though. I would like to do a whole song in French. I don't really speak it at all though.

What was the 1^st ever album you bought, and what was the 1^st ever gig you went to?

OK Computer by Radiohead was my first album. Good stuff.

Muse in Bournemouth was the first gig. What a massive shame.

Alex: I cant remember the first album I bought for myself, which is a little sad… but it would have been around the time I went to my first gig. Which was Feeder, at the BIC in Bournemouth. I can only remember vaguely standing in the audience gazing up at the first huge band I'd ever seen in awe. 'Comfort in Sound' is still a good album for its time I think, and it's probably the first 'rock band' album i got into growing up, so i still enjoy hearing it every now and again.

Ben: I still listen to the first album that I ever purchased. The Cure's 'Disintegration' was a present to myself, on a high towards the end of term. It must have been one of the most exciting moments of year 6. I can't remember my first gig as I was on the road a fair amount around that time.

Mike: First album: Now That's What I Call Music 44.

First Gig: Motion City Soundtrack in Portsmouth and I loved every minute of it

Is there, in you ipod, a song/album, you should be ashame to own, but can't delete from it?

I am not ashamed of anything I like, luckily. There's some questionable stuff in there but luckily I am not ashamed of it. Okay, maybe Phil Collins' Big Band Sussudio but it's only there because it's one of the most hilarious pieces of music ever performed.

Do you have a message for your fans/supporters?

Thank you so much for your unrelenting support. We hope we continue to deliver.

A present from Little Night Terrors

For an open time, you can download for free the NEW EP of Little Night Terrors by just clicking on THIS LINK . 

You'll find 4 new songs:

Witches

Heaven

What's your persuasion Baby?

Two Weeks

Charlie and the Martyrs

Charlie & The Martyrs is one of the band I heard about during one of my 1st travel to Leicester. This band has been formed by the talented Charlie Jones, who's coming from Birmingham, and 4 of the best musicians who comes from Nottingham and Leicester. You can find: 

 

Charlie Jones for the vocal and guitar
Grahame Crewe at the Guitar
Mike Angrave at the  Lead Guitar
Will Bennett at the Bass
Dan Bent at the Drums

Charlie has been finalist, in 2008,of the BBC Radio 2 Singer/Songwriter of the Year.

In 2010, they played both Strawberry Fields festival (in Heather) and Summer Sunday fest in Leicester  and has been asked to support  Paul Heaton (Beautiful South/House Martins) on his UK Tour (Spring 2011).

This year, they used to play sold-out shows in their area and alos played twice at the Club Fandango in London.

They put their music in the Pop ' n ' Roll genre which is quite a good name. Charlie is usually playing her accoustic guitar in a pretty dress in the middle of those talented musicians dressed in suits. I've been able to finally saw them played in last October during the OXJAM festival in Leicester. They were playing on the outside stage. And despite of the wind and cold weather, they brilliantly played and had a great interaction with the public. 

I hope 2012 will be a great year for them and they'll be able to play in more cities and why not in my city... ;) 

You can buy their 4 EP on Itunes  .

You can find them on their Facebook Page , Myspace  , Twitter , Last.FM , ReverNation profile , Spotify Link and of course on their Official Website . 

Here, you can see the video I made at The Oxjam Festival in Leicester:

 

Transfer

On last tuesday, I went to see Kaiser Chiefs, a band I love for a very long time now. And thanx to them, I discovered a new band! Their supports acts were Transfer and Tribes. ( I already saw Tribes in last June and I wasn't that fond of them...). BUT I fell in love with Transfer!!!!

Transfer is a band that comes from San Diego, south California in the  US. It's composed by :

Matthew Molarius at guitar and lead vocals

Shaun Cornell at the bass, Keyboard & backing vocals

Andy Ridley at the drums

Jason Cardenas  at the guitars and backing vocals.

Their music is a real and pure rock'n'roll sound . They've been influenced by Nick Drake, Peter Case, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, My Morning Jacket, the Flaming Lips, Pink Floyd, Radiohead and more...

 

They won 2 San Diego Music Awards. The 1st one in September 2009 for best rock band and the 2nd one in 2010 for Best Rock Album. 

They went on tour with the brilliant Brandon Flowers during his solo tour in Europe, following by another European tour with White Lies where they also played in France so yes, this date in Paris with Kaiser Chiefs was not their 1st Parisian date. 

You can buy their 1st album "Future Selves" on Itunes or if you're lucky enought (like I was ) you can find the album in a cd version at the gigs or in England at HMV.... 

You can find the band on their Facebook page, Twitter , Myspace and of course on their Official Website . 

Talking with Andrew from Little Night Terrors...

After the release of their First EP, Little Night Terros sadly seen one the members leaving the band, the 2 others kept on working hard for the band and finally found a perfect new bassist and they're back with another new EP "Witches".  Andrew nicely answered to some questions...

First of all, please, introduce the band:

We have Andy on vocals and guitars. Dan on vocals and Bass. James on vocals and Drums. 

How and when did you decided to create that band?

Little Night Terrors started in 2010. 

Im quite intrigued by the name you choose to give to that band. Where did you find it? Were you some bad young men who used to terrorized every single person you could meet in the streets?

Bone came up with it. We're not quite sure where he got it from. I think it was a strange premonition. We just liked it straight away.

Same for the logo, I really love it but why this one and not another creatures from the night? Is this one of you who drawn it?

We always wanted an image so that people would recognise the band without having to see the band name. A friend of ours, Alex Salter came up with the Fangs, it links back to the name and I kind of see it as a fucked up version of the Rolling Stones lips. 

How do you find the inspiration to write the songs?

In everything really. It could be a word or phrase someone says that sparks something or just a beat idea in my head. It just happens. I was in a bar in town on saturday and saw the phrase 'if you see my baby call her Alice Mae' written in the toilets. I think theres a song there somewhere. Or maybe not.

Do you write all together?

We have a home studio set up now, so wherever an idea comes up we'll start recording and writing. We've done an albums worth of new tracks in the last month.

How did you decided , one day, to learn to play an instrument and how did you decided which one will be "yours"? 

I decided to play guitar after seeing a picture of John Lennon in Mojo. He just looked damn cool. Bone's always just played drums because he was angry. Dan likes toasters on acid.

Does your passion for music comes from your families?

My parents were both in bands so I think theres something in that definitely. 

How would you describe your music?

A bit of The Cure, Primal Scream,The Ramones, heavy guitars, a bit of Jack Kerouac lyrical madness, some nakedness. Rock and roll music.

Your First EP has been released during August and the physical copy was sold out after the 1st week! Could you imagine that? What was your reaction(s)?

It was great. It's our first EP so it was cool to get that kind of reaction. Now we've just released our new EP the 'Witches' cd up for free download on our site. We're feeling excited.

Why calling it "Fangs" as there's no song with that title?

We called it the 'Fangs' EP because of the image on the front. A bit like 'The Black album' by Jay Z or The Beatles White album. Now the 'Witches' EP is a whole different story.

Do you have a fave song between the 5 songs of the EP? Mine is "Young Lion", Im quite addicted to that song...

Young Lion is definitely a fave with the band. With this new EP we're hoping to top it. 'Witches' is a definite smash with the band right now. 

  

Is there a director, you'd love to work with? Or an actor/actress? 

I wanna be in a tim burton film. I think it'd work quite nicely, what with my Gothic tendencies. 

After the released of the EP, you also put online a mixtape you made for your fans, where did you find this idea and how did you choose the songs?

I just wanted to get together some of my favourite tracks and put them out. I wanted to put my own slant on it. It gave me a good chance to put some of our demos and mixes out as well. We'll put a new one out for the Witches EP.

Why calling it "Felix Mixtape"?

Why not?

Who's your hero(s)/idol(s) in the music scene? And in the rest of the world of arts?

Well I've just got back from Bestival and so I'm probably going to be a little biased to what I saw there. Robert Smith and Bobby Gillespie were both so good. So many good songs, it was religious. 

I read books by Hunter S Thompson and Bukowski, my favourite films are True Romance, Taxi Driver, and the karate kid. I miss Goosebumps and my favourite artist is Liam Keown.

Is there an artist with whom you'd love to work with/make a duet?

I'd probably collaborate with someone creating music totally different to me. Probably Chuck D.

What do you think of the rest of the Leicester music scene?

I think its great. Theres a lot of talent in the city. We have Kyte, Maybeshewill who are epic. By The Rivers just came off tour with The Specials, Some May Run are quality. We've got The Tennysons & The Tee Leaves supporting our night on Jan 19th. That's just a few off the top of my head.

Would you like to support someone specifically? And on the other side, when you'll be famous enough, is there someone you'd like to have as your support act? 

I want to tour with Primal Scream. Hearing Come Together every night would be fucking amazing. I'd like to play some shows with Bombay Bicycle Club and Warpaint would be great. 

For support acts we'd probably take with us whoever we're drinking with in Leicester at the time.

When I listen carefully to your voice on "Stay" or "Japan", I find some similarity with Dan Black's voice. Do you like him and his work? 

You'll have to send me some links! (it's going to be done in few moments!)

Do you have a message for the youngs who'd like to become a musician?

Buy the ticket, take the ride.

Could you sing in another language?

I can try

What would you do if Music was banned from our life?

Play it anyway.

Iis there a country where you absolutely want to play and get famous?

Japan and America I'd love to go and play.

If you could be another one of the band for one day or one week, which one will you be and what will you do?

I'd be Dan and would go back to the 60s with a little neck scarf.  

Is there in your ipod a song you could be ashamed to have?

Escape (the pina-colada song) is an obvious van favourite but I'm not really ashamed of that.

If you can make a cover, what song would you choose?

Wreckless Eric - Whole Wide world.

Do you have a message for your fans/supporters?

Show us your special move

Little Night Terrors release the 'Witches' EP for free download on 1st December through their official website http://www.littlenightterrors.com 

They play the White Noise Festival on 18th December, and their own hometown show with support from The Tee Leaves & The Tennysons at Firebug on 19th January.