INTERVIEW: Velvet & Stone — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Austin

Velvet & Stone

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IT has been great speaking with Velvet & Stone...

PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Austin

about the latest track, Oh Boy. Lara Snowdon takes on the questions and tells me about the band’s start and what is coming up; which album means the most to her and whether there will be any gigs coming along – she recommends a rising artist that is worth checking out.

I ask how their sound came together and what sort of music Lara/the band are inspired by; whether there is more material from Velvet & Stone later this year and how Lara relaxes away from music – she selects a great song (or three!) to end the interview with.

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

Hey! Great, thanks! (Smiles).

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

We’re Velvet & Stone – an Alternative/Indie-Folk band based in Devon, U.K. The band is led by myself, Lara Snowdon, (I’m the writer, vocalist and guitarist) and Kat Tremlett, who plays some sensational violin and sings B.V.s. We also have Paddy Blight on double bass and Kev Jackson who plays guitar. For the bigger gigs and on the album, we’re also joined by Garry Kroll on drums.

Is there a story behind your new single, Oh Boy?

Oh Boy is about moving on when you’ve given away too much in love. It’s an honest and intense track. It’s really fun to play live!

It has already picked up acclaim and attention. How does that make you feel?

The support for the single has been fantastic! The first time we were played on Tom Robinson’s show on BBC Radio 6 Music I couldn’t sleep I was so excited. Haha! He described Oh Boy as “sheer sonic bliss” and has really supported the track. We’ve also had airtime on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Wales; many of the specialist BBC regional shows such as Johnny Coppin’s Acoustic Show on BBC Radio Gloucestershire and Genevieve Tudor’s show on BBC Radio Shropshire.

I feel very proud that it’s been picked up like this. We all put an incredible amount of work into the band and feel that we’ve evolved and developed our sound to a place that we love. So, for other people to enjoy listening to and sharing our tracks is just the best feeling in the world!

IN THIS PHOTO: Kat Tremlett/PHOTO CREDIT: Richard Bolwell

Is there more material coming from Velvet & Stone later this year?

Yes. This is the first single from our debut album - which we’re aiming to release in June 2019. There will be a second single out in a few weeks’ time called By the Water...

How did you both meet one another? What bonded you together?

Kat and I are both from a small village in mid-Devon called Silverton. I grew up there and Kat moved there with her husband after she studied at Exeter University. We had some friends in common and everyone kept telling me what a fantastic violinist she was. After that, we met one night in the local pub and it all started over a glass of vino or two!

I love your blend of Folk and Pop. Did it take a while to get the point where you had this rounded and satisfying sound?

Yes. It’s definitely fair to say our sound has evolved. The core songwriting has always been the same – with the Folk-Pop vibe, but the musicians and production have changed. This past year, we’ve got to a place that we’re really happy with. The songs we’ve recorded on the album are true to how we perform them live and the recording and production are raw and authentic in that sense.

We now perform both as a duo (Lara and Kat) and with the full band. The full band sound is Folk-Rock, but we also play in some beautiful soundscapes and ballads. You can check out our upcoming gig dates at www.velvetstonemusic.com/gigs.

PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Austin

What sort of music are you compelled by? Did you all grow up around the same sort of music?

No. We have very different influences, which is brilliant and brings a lot to our music. I grew up being inspired by Bob Dylan, Joan Baez; Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris and Crosby Stills and Nash. More recently, I’m influenced by the resurgent Folk/Americana scene, both more traditional such as Seth Lakeman and Kate Rusby and the Indie/Pop end of the spectrum – Ben Howard, Laura Marling; Mumford & Sons, Bear’s Den and First Aid Kit.

Kat is classically-trained and grew up undertaking music scholarships, playing in orchestras and various fancy things! She’s really knowledgeable about Classical music but she also has a rebellious Dance/Trance streak!

PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Austin

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

So many memories! We’ve had some great times (and some weird, hilarious ones as well)!

The one that really stands out was performing in front of thousands of people at the Cambridge Folk Festival doing a last-minute collaboration with Sam Kelly. We didn’t realise how many people were watching until we walked on the stage. No time for stage fright!

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

Blue – Joni Mitchell

I think I can recite it off by heart from start to finish. It’s personal and honest and intimate, beautiful; metaphorical and bold all at once. It’s got to be one of the all-time greats.

PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Austin

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

Fleetwood Mac! Tour bus, world tour…possibly a bit ambitious for a Devonshire Folk band (winks). Haha!

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Believe in yourself. Invest in your own confidence. Work hard. Keep going!

PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Austin

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

Yes. All dates on our website at www.velvetstonemusic.com/gigs.

If we came to one of your live shows, what might we expect?

A journey from beautiful, haunting soundscapes through to foot-stomping Folk-Rock and some great musicianship!

IN THIS PHOTO: Maggie Rogers/PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Buckner/Variety/Rex

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I’m loving Maggie Rogers’ new album! Light On is the best. What a feelgood track!

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

Kat and I both work full-time and juggle it with Velvet & Stone. So, in many respects, music is our way to unwind and stay sane! Other than that, living in Devon is great - and escaping to the moors and beaches is the best way to chill out.

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

I’ve only just discovered Anais Mitchell and think she is the BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER EVER! Any Way the Wind Blows, Now You Know and Why We Build the Wall are all incredible. Oops that’s three!