INTERVIEW: Y.O.U.N.G — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Y.O.U.N.G

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THE guys hail from different and disparate backgrounds…

but Y.O.U.N.G are pulled together by their love of music. Bringing Rock, Punk and Hip-Hop into the mix; they put all this magic and connection into the new single, Exposure. It follows from their tearaway track, What I Gotta Do. I ask the guys about new material and whether we can see more in the future. They talk about their Manchester base and whether there are any U.K. gigs this year – and what plans they have for the coming months.

Exposure looks at cheats and liars so I had to ask whether there was a certain U.S. President that inspired the lyrics. The guys talk about music and albums that are important to them; what advice they’d give new artists – and a special message for their fans.

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Hi, chaps. How are you? How has your week been?

HEY, there. Things are going great.

Feeling good and working hard on rehearsals! Plus, our single Exposure, had its first major radio-play this week - so we're still on a high.

For those new to your work; can you introduce yourself, please?

We are Y.O.U.N.G, from Manchester. There's five of us: Chez (Vocals/Guitar), Ben (Rap/Synths); Jamie (Guitar/Production), Tom (Bass) and Graeme (Drums). Our sound is a fusion; blending the genres of catchy Rock guitar riffs with Hip-Hop processed beats…with hints of Reggae and Ska – and, hopefully, creating something new and fresh!

Exposure is your new single. Tell me about the song and how it came together? What are the themes and ideas that run through it?

We're always working hard in the studio and have created loads of songs together - but this one just stuck out ...

The guitar riff that starts off the song really sets the mood and energy. It's upbeat and in your face and we can't wait to play it live to everyone.

There is a sense that frauds and liars should out themselves, no?! How much of the track is directed at people like Donald Trump?

When writing the track, we never thought of directing it towards political heads such as Donald Trump. To be honest; this guy gets enough air-time as it is! I wouldn’t say we’re a political band: we will leave all that to the politicians. Haha!

The song mashes the hard edge of Royal Blood and Hip-Hop with a sharp lyrical tongue. Is it hard effortlessly fusing disparate sounds like that?

You'd think so, right!?

It all just seems to come very naturally to us all because we’re all into different music and styles - it just comes together when we’re on stage. For music to progress and find something fresh, it’s all about inspiration from all different aspects of different genres.

Did you all grow up listening to eclectic music? Who are the artists you all look up to?

Our inspirations go from Green Day, Oasis; Newton Faulkner to Loyle Carner; Wu-Tang Clan and OutKast. We like to mix it up on our tour-bus playlist. Haha.

Jamie, our producer, listens to a lot of Electronic-style music, so there’s always a hint of Electronic in the production - but it's also very organic the way we play live and what’s on the records.

I suppose you all come from different background. How did the band form and how do songs form? Do you all write separately – or do songs come together with all pitching in?

The band started with Chez, Jamie and Ben doing the main core of writing - and then we added in Tom and Graeme at a later stage. Chez has known Graeme since primary-school and he lives with Tom; so it all fell into place very nicely. We all write together for Y.O.U.N.G and, separately just for fun, we also produce for other artists.

Your fanbase is rising and loyal. How much do they mean to you and what message would you give them?

Ahhhh, we love the fans! They are actually great they do so much promo for us; send us gifts and (just) continue to put a smile on our face. We're so grateful.

A message to them: “We love you and we can't wait to meet you all on the road in the upcoming months".

What I Gotta Do is your previous song. How much of a difference have you noticed between it and Exposure?

Not massively, you know. The fans love both songs, as we do. It just recently it got picked up by Radio X - so that's good.

What I Gotta Do was important to us at the time as it really set the precedent of what Y.O.U.N.G is about. It's more focused on processed beats: Exposure is more a (real) live track - in terms of the more Rock live-sounding drums - and the overall retro feel it has. But, all-in-all, there’s not too much difference between them: they both still sound like us!

Can we expect an E.P. this or next year, perhaps?

We're planning to release a few more singles - building up to an album next year. The plan is to release a steady amount of singles and an E.P. leading up to later next year. We’ve been working really hard in the studio the last few months and the ‘album’ - or collection of songs we have now - is something we are super-proud of.

We can’t wait for you guys to hear them!

What other tour dates do you have coming up? Where about are you going to be heading to?

We're gonna be playing most of the U.K. and branching out to Europe - like Amsterdam, Paris and Germany.

If you each had to select the one album that means the most to you; which would they be and why?

Chez: Newton Faulkner - Hand Built by Robots

I know every word off by heart and have listened to it over one-hundred times in its entirety.

Jamie: Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers

I grew up listening to this album and loved the simplicity of it.

Ben: Newton Faulkner - Hand Built by Robots

I started listening to this album first when I was travelling and actually sailed around the Great Barrier Reef with Newton's sister - not just her, but she was there. I feel very connected to the words - and his voice is incredible.

What advice would you give to artists coming through right now?

Don't give up and it takes time to find YOU as an artist. It’s taken us quite a while to really find our sound… but the main word to use is ‘PATIENCE’!

Christmas is approaching. Do you all have plans already or will you be busy working?

We all love Christmas: it's the best time of the year. I think Jamie's heading to New York so that will be alright. Haha!

How do you spend your time away from music? Do you all have hobbies?

Chez: Football and the gym is a passion of mine and, if I'm not doing, that I’m'quite happy sitting at home stroking the cats. Haha.

Jamie: I like to travel in my spare time. I love visiting new cities, new countries (and discovering different cultures)!

Ben: I like to read books about energy and positivity: try to work on becoming zen.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each name a song and I’ll play it here (not one of yours as I’ll do that).

Stacy's Mom - Fountains of Wayne