INTERVIEW:
Milo Gore
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SPEAKING with Milo Gore is always…
a bit of an experience. It is interesting revisiting the musician’s work – as I ask about the latest track, Towel on the Door. I learn about its story and whether there is new material coming soon; how Milo Gore found his band; the artists/albums that have inspired his music; what kind of tour dates are coming up - and where we can catch the guys play.
I ask about Milo Gore whether there is enough variation in music and, in terms of his material, it has varied and evolved; which new artists are worth checking out and getting behind; if he has any resolutions and ambitions sorted for this year – how the fantastic Milo Gore sounds come together and conspire.
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Hi, Milo. How are you? How has your week been?
It’s been tip-top, thank you.
The band and I have just been getting ready for some upcoming gigs we have - so, we’ve just been practising. We’re all back at uni now; so it’s much easier to organise everything.
For those new to your work; can you introduce yourself, please?
I’m Milo Gore. I’m twenty-two and I live in Falmouth, Cornwall. I play with a bunch of my mates in an Alternative-Rock band - and that’s pretty neat. I released my first E.P. in July 2017 - and that’s out on Spotify and all that - it’s called Watch the Tide. I guess we’re just rough undiscovered sound at the moment but we going strong - especially with this New Year.
Towel on the Door is the new single. What is the story behind the song?
It’s another soppy romantic song!
It’s about another breakup I had. It’s almost a lead-on track to Coco (from the first E.P.) as it’s the same girl, different breakup; different breakdown. Towel on the Door has two funny reasons why it’s a funny song title: one of them being the fact that, when I first showed it to my drummer, Luke; there was simply just a towel hanging on the door!
How, would you say, it differs from previous releases?
It’s an all-acoustic track...
I never really enjoy just releasing a fully-acoustic track as I feel a band adds so much more in terms of mood and dynamics – but, in this case, I didn’t think there was really much to add; it spoke for itself. Stanley Box, my friend and producer, did such a good job and kept it warm and lo-fi…just how I wanted it.
He was instrumental.
Will there be more material later in the year? Can we expect an E.P. or album at all?
Yes, yes, yes! There will, hopefully, be our two-track E.P., Too Much Too Soon, out at the end of February. Very excited for these two. One is an absolute banger, co-written with Jay Beale (look him up if you don’t know him; he is a genius). But, yes; very excited to get that out for y’all.
Stay tuned; because I think it could be a big record for us...
How did you come to meet your band? Is there quite a close relationship between you guys?
We all just met at uni and we all (just) clicked automatically. Such a great dynamic in our band: everyone has their own genuine personality. The best thing is everyone can be as loud as each other!
I couldn’t do anything without them. They have been amazing to me and my music.
Your music has quite a fresh and unexpected sound. How much of your childhood musical heroes do you put into your own stuff?
I guess. I don’t know any covers - so I couldn’t say I got their guitar parts and put them in my songs. However, vocally and melody-wise; I guess I do take a lot of inspiration from the people I listen to - even if I don’t know I’m doing it. But; people like Bon Iver and Ben Howard do inspire me greatly.
The genius songwriting really captures me.
Do you think there is enough variation in the music scene right now? What trends do you expect to see popping up this year?
Ooh god. I’m awful with trends and all that.
My music knowledge is the size of a fish. Ahah. I just do my own thing. I would say there is plenty of variation. The middle and core consisting of the ‘Pop sensations’ etc. may be a bit saturated - but I defo think a lot of the youth have recognised that and are starting to create really inventive sounds…even if we are a bit commercial ourselves.
IN THIS PHOTO: Rex Orange County/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
Who are the new artists you recommend we check out?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Rex Orange County. I f*cking love the music so much. The lyrics are genius. Urm...Nai Harvest are sick. Their drums are so good - and the fact that it’s a two-man band is insane when they make that much noise. Then I say it in every interview…listen to Bon Iver’s new album if you haven‘t. He is stupid-good. It’s beautiful; everything about it.
Maybe not all new - but two are new to me! That’s the beautiful thing: maybe the market isn’t saturated after all...and there is a lot of diversity!
IN THIS PHOTO: Nai Harvest/PHOTO CREDIT: Jon Cuadros
If you had the chance to select the three albums that mean the most to you – which would they be and why?
Ben Howard - I Forgot Where We Were
It got me through a really dark time. Lyrically amazing.
Bear’s Den – Islands
Harmonies, the hooks; song structure and writing = class.
Bon Iver - 22, A Million
Beautiful the whole way through. It takes you somewhere else - which is a very powerful thing.
Is there any advice you would give to fellow artists coming through right now?
Urm…just keep going... I dunno: we ain’t anywhere ourselves! But; I would say maybe we are going in the right direction. So, I guess…just keep making contacts, gigging and making demos. Keep growing your trade and practising it - as it only gets harder the longer the journey goes on.
What other gigs do you have coming up as we head through 2018?
We are playing Newquay at Whiskers Bar on the 21st Feb, and then, a few Sofar Sound dates and Balconytv dates - that we are in the process of sorting out.
We also have a few more gigs lined up with dates to be decided, too.
A fresh year is here. What do you have planned in terms of personal goals and ambitions? How did you and the guys see in the New Year?
I gotta get fit: I’m so out of shape. It’s embarrassing.
So; I’m going to get back to my footie, for sure. I’m actually going sober as well. I’m thirteen-days clean at the moment - long way to go. Musically, big plans. We want to keep growing as we are.
In our last interview; you mentioned you were getting a new tattoo (with ‘Forever, Whatever’ inscribed). Any plans for new tattoos this year? What was the reason behind your current one?
The tattoos are all off the back of my Watch the Tide E.P. They are just symbols to me that each has a special meaning; often connected to my depression and all that jazz. But, to be honest, I like to let people decide what they mean…”Forever Whatever”, as I say.
I guess that’s what it means.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you (and the band) can name a song and I’ll play it here (not one of yours as I’ll do that).
Wicked, thank you. Urm; ok. I’ll go for Ben Howard - Time Is Dancing.
Cheers! Thanks for having me. Milo
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