INTERVIEW: Southbank Crows — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Southbank Crows

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THE first interview of this Sunday…

is with Southbank Crows. I have been talking with the band about their E.P., The Wild Ones (released last year), and whether we will see more material coming; how the guys found one another and started playing – the importance of London and whether the city has negative and positive effects.

I discover what gigs are coming up for the band and which new artists they recommend; whether there is any downtime for them; what advice they would offer to upcoming artists – the boys end the interview by selecting a song each.

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

Hello, there! The week has been good thank you. Busy as always. Ha. Few rehearsals for upcoming shows - how’s yours been?

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

We are Southbank Crows; an Alternative-Rock-Americana band from South London made up of Will (Guitar, Vox); Patrick McCann (Piano, Vox); Taker Hofstra (Bass; Vocals) and Ryan Fielder (Drums).

How did Southbank Crows get together? When did you all meet?

Well. Will met Patrick at an audition for a band called Tiny Voices. We started writing music together and searching for a rhythm section. Once we found Taker and Ryan the music just fell into place: everyone understood what our vision was and helped create it bigger and better than we thought possible!

The Wild Ones E.P. was released last year. What sort of themes and ideas inspired the music?

It was inspired by some time I spent in Florida. I moved out there for a few years after my last band split; did all the life stuff you know, like, travel around, meet some cool people; get your heart broken. Ha. You know…the usual stuff. Haha.

How does it differ, in tone and themes, to 2016’s Southbank Crows?

I guess, inspiration-wise they have some similar themes but, songwriting-wise, we improved as a unit. The Southbank Crows self-titled E.P. was recorded without a full band as we were still looking for the right team. So, as far as Wild Ones is concerned, we sound more like a band with a more honed in sound.

Is there going to be more material coming down the lines? Are you guys working on new material?

We have been working on plans to put a full-length together and it’s mostly fully-written already but haven’t decided on when to do it and which producer to use – and, of course, where we will find some money. Ha.

How important are London and its mix regarding your music? What is it like for a young band in the capital?

London, I have found is one of the hardest places to be a musician: every single person is in a band or so it seems and everyone else is a session player wanting money!

My last band was based in Brighton and we found it a lot easier there to make a mark. Friends of mine in other cities around the U.K. have found it easier because they live in smaller towns that haven’t decided to shut all of their venues. Oh…and promoters aren’t trying to rip you off like they do in London.

Which artists are you influenced by? Who are the musicians who have made the biggest impact on the band?

I would say the biggest impact on our songwriting comes from acts like Lucero, Counting Crows; Florida Georgie Line, Stereophonics; Deaf Havana and Lower Than Atlantis.

Do you think there will be touring dates? Can we catch you play?

We do not have any tour dates booked in as of yet but we have got the following shows coming up:

The Big Meat B.B.Q. festival in Farnham on 25th August at 4 P.M.

Hammerdown at Bar 42 in Worthing on 26th August at 3 P.M.

Penn Meadow Summer Festival in High Wycombe on the 26th August at 8 P.M.

Hotel Pelirocco with the Stone Jets in Brighton on 20th September (which starts) at 7 P.M.

Is the stage the place you all feel happiest? How do you feel performing to a crowd and hearing that reaction?

It is, 100%, my favourite place to be. I am always writing things in regards to not finding your mark and where feels like home - which I have now realised feels like home! In the van going to shows is where we all love to be: that feeling when you finish playing of just wanting to play again. Ha. I do love it. We all do,

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

I think, for this band, our first U.K. tour and we have had some great, very busy festival appearances and they always leave you gleaming and full of joy!

I have so many great memories. I mean, one that does stick in my mind was sitting in a garden all night with the lads after a great show in Southport. We just stayed up all night having drinks and talking about how much we love doing this.

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

I would love to tour with Foo Fighters, Lucero or Blink-182. Although, we will take any support slot. Haha.

McDonald’s cheeseburgers, kiwi cider; any beer that isn’t piss-water and money delivered in swag bags by racoons playing cops and robbers on an O Gauge train running through the dressing room.

What advice would you give to artists coming through?

Honestly; there is not a right way as such. Treat all bands and promotors you cross with respect and just be good people. You really have to just ‘love what you do and live for what you love’. I know that sounds cheesy but I really feel it’s so true. For anyone to respect you they have to see you live it, bleed it and love it while getting my financial gain or recognition.

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Hmm; that’s a tough one. I mean, Boston Manor aren’t that new but they are starting to make a good name for themselves - and I remember them from years ago as a support act for my last band.

Kill the Witness. These boys are from Kingston and we just love playing shows with them. Just great guys and good tunes!

Then, some old-timers who have been going a long time but you might not know. Lucero, I use them as an influence in regards more than writing. They were voted the hardest-working band; they have consistently played something like 150-200 shows a year for a decade!

PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Foster/ALBUM DESIGN: Matthew Cole

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

None of us gets much downtime because we all have jobs too; so it can sometimes be a real killer effectively working two jobs. Ha. Will makes beer for a place called Surrey Hills Brewery; Patrick teaches piano; Taker takes care of, like, a million dogs a day; Ryan is a manager at a trampoline park.

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).

Lucero - What Are You Willing to Lose