INTERVIEW: Chasing Deer — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Chasing Deer

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THE boys of Chasing Deer…

have found some time in their hectic schedule to talk to me about their upcoming album, Hands On, and what themes will be addressed (their single, Miracle, is out now). I ask about their album launch at London’s Bush Hall (22nd November) and they explain their passion for and connection to British Sign Language.

The guys each pick an album that means a lot to them and reveal where we can see them play; which rising artists we need to get behind and whether they chill outside of music – they each pick a song to end the interview with.

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

Hey. We’re really good thanks. We’re fully into promotion and preparations for our Album Launch Show in a few weeks, so it’s been a busy one! We’ve been practicing and finalising some new merchandise this week as well as a music video shoot up in Birmingham and a photoshoot over in East London.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We are Rob, Adam and Peter; a three-piece called ‘Chasing Deer’, currently living in London!

Hands On, your debut album, is out on 30th November. What sort of themes inspired the record?

The overarching theme of the entire album is support of British Sign Language, which we have done through the artwork for the monthly singles we have been releasing. This year we have played so many events and met people who have inspired us greatly which has all gone into the songwriting process. With the album recorded across the UK and in Amsterdam, we are very lucky to be able to travel for our inspiration too.

You have a launch show coming at London’s Bush Hall on 22nd November. What is that going to entail? Is it true the show will champion sign language?!

The show will be fully accessible to a deaf audience, with an interpreter signing all of our songs on stage with us as we perform them live. We’re really excited to be part of the ever-growing movement for inclusiveness in live music.

How did Chasing Deer get together? When did you all form?

We have been playing together for around three years, with Peter being the newest member of about a year. We made Chasing Deer a full-time career around a year ago and have never looked back!

Even before you have released your debut album, you have played to huge crowds! Why do you think your name/shows have gained such steam and popularity?!

We love to play our music to everyone and hopefully that energy and enthusiasm comes across on stage, meaning we have been invited to some fantastic places to play including Trafalgar Square for Pride in London and performing in Kenya!

Which artists did you all grow up around? Do you have any personal musical idols?

We’ve been treated to a really wide variety of music all of our lives; all starting playing instruments at young ages. The Beatles, David Bowie; The Police and Queen are all up there! We’re all big supporters of the vinyl revival, too, which helps with the era of music we idolise.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

This has been our biggest year yet, so we are already in plans to make 2019 even better; with touring plans, new material and abroad trips in the works.

We would love to end the year with as many people as possible listening to our debut album, which we are immensely proud to have created and designed - and gained more fans through our shows and weekly videos.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

Peter: Looking out to thousands of happy faces at Pride in London 2018 dancing to our original music was a real buzz.

Rob: Touching down in Kenya after being invited across to play at the President’s music festival was very surreal and hopefully a taste of things to come.

Adam: Facebook live streaming from our sofa last year playing our songs; to be surprised by the fact that the stream had gone viral and reached over 2.2 million people that evening.

Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?

Rob: A fairly rare Red Brazilian vinyl copy of Revolver – The Beatles. Not my favourite of their albums (Rubber Soul) but it’s probably worth the most!

Adam: Blood Sugar Sex Magik - Red Hot Chili Peppers was the first album I learnt in full on the drums so it will always be a favourite of mine.

Peter: A Funk Odyssey – Jamiroquai because it reminds me of loads of great family holidays where we played it to death.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Paul McCartney would be pretty cool - and an instant sell out gig! Three teas would be good; milk no sugar. Oh…and do you remember Starburst Joosters?

Can we see you on the road this year at all after your album launch?

We’ll be switching on the Christmas lights at a number of towns this year which we will be announcing very soon, alongside our regular gigs and residencies. Find us over on social media for behind the scenes and our website for full show listings.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Play the music that you enjoy and would listen to. There will be others that also enjoy the same out there. Then work really hard every day to make it the best you can do. Build a good team around you as there will be times where you really need the support and motivation.

IN THIS PHOTO: Parcels

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

We’ve been enjoying the music of Parcels for the past few months; recently attending an intimate show at the Gibson showroom which was mysteriously cancelled. One day they’ll let us know what happened!

Also enjoying the new material from Alice Merton. There’s too many to name as we tend to add it all to our Chasing Deer Picks Spotify playlist to listen to on the road.

IN THIS PHOTO: Alice Merton

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Time away from music is tricky with the fact we play every day we have. When we get back from performing at a show, we are back having a jam and writing new material! In our down time, we enjoy watching football, going to the cinema and exploring as much as we can of the museums and activities in London.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Emily Chepchumba - Moto Moto Band (this is one of the songs we covered during our time in Kenya)