We spoke to talented Hampshire indie/tropical-groove four-piece Habitats about everything from festival season to their upcoming headline show at Brighton's Green Door Store.
First up, how's festival season been for you so far? Any highlights?
It's been great! We've played a few this year, they've all been great. 110 Above was special, it's a very small, very cool little festival...but all of them honestly, we're really looking forward to our last one of the year, which is at Festival Number 6 this weekend.
How did you all get into playing music?
We all got into it at different times, I guess just because we loved our heroes and wanted to be like them. We just want to get people's juices flowing, ya know?
How would you describe your music for people who haven't heard of you before?
It's like sipping on a zesty cocktail on a warm summer's day, whilst watching Richard Branson, as he slowly waters your garden provocatively, get stung on the nipple by a bee.
Has anyone given you any words of wisdom that's helped you as a band?
Just have fun, enjoy every moment.
Your EP 'Jungles' was a success, how do you plan to follow it up?
Hopefully we will be releasing more music soon. Maybe another single, then eP to follow, so hold tight. But we will always want to improve on the last one and any EP we write. It will have more spice and finesse... yeah let's roll with that.
Will you be heading back to the studio anytime soon?
We are demoing in our friends' bedroom at the moment, hopefully we should be going back into the studio after September - but we are not sure where that may be.
Are you looking forward to playing Green Door Store with Lion Bark in September?
This is a venue that we've always wanted to play! We've played at the Hope and Ruin a couple of times and it's been great, we can't wait for this one!
Are there any new bands you've got your eye on at the moment?
Palm Honey are a cool bunch of dudes. Fabrics are also a fresh local band from our hometown.
What are you looking forward to achieving throughout the rest of 2016?
We've got our headline show of the year in September (29th) at the Borderline, London. We want that one to be a big one, so come down, bring your friends, their friends and their friends' friends. We also want to keep writing and having as much fun as we can!
We spoke to promising singer-songwriter Amelia Caesar after her latest show at Marwood Coffee Shop & Studios in Brighton. Despite still being unsigned, the Brighton-based performer recently released her debut single 'Our Love' and has plans for further releases later in the year. If you're a fan of Lucy Rose and Ben Howard; you'll definitely enjoy Amelia Caesar.
Let's start off by asking how your gig at Marwood in Brighton was? Did it go how you expected?
I really loved playing at Marwood, a lot of people went and the room was packed out for my set, which wasn't what I expected at all. The environment was perfect for an acoustic line up and I've been wanting to play the venue since I moved to Brighton last summer and it definitely didn't disappoint.
Have you got anymore dates coming up soon?
I'm playing at Lion Coffee + Records in London on the 14th August and at The Brunswick in Brighton on the 1st September. I'm also playing at Havana Republic in Shrewsbury on the 2nd September.
How did you get into playing music?
I've been playing the guitar for 14 years now, I started when I was at primary school. I grew up learning how to play the violin, keyboard and drums when I was growing up alongside the guitar but the guitar was the only instrument I stuck to. I didn't realise it wasn't just a hobby until I saw Jack Johnson playing at the Brits years ago on TV and I was completely amazed he could have such an impact with just him and his guitar and that's when I realised that's what I wanted to try and do. I started secondary school and that's when my new guitar teacher, John Arran, challenged me to write my first song - and here we are!
What's the writing process like behind your tracks? Does it normally take you long?
My writing process is always changing. I've started writing with a loop pedal which is really fun to do, I can build up so many layers and try so many different ideas so easily. I tend to record every idea I have however long or short they are just so I don't forget them and I can then merge a few ideas into one. I study a songwriting degree so I'm taught many different ways on how I can inspire myself to write but I haven't quite figured out what works best yet for me. I love experimenting so I don't like to stick to one process and I'm always seeking inspiration.
What other artists are you into at the moment? Is there anyone you're taking inspiration from?
I've always taken inspiration from the likes of Lucy Rose and Ben Howard but I've really been into Everything Everything recently. They're not anything like the music I write but I'm fascinated with how they write and arrange their songs. I'm also listening to RY X a lot, I saw him play at St George's Church in Brighton during The Great Escape this year and he was incredible live, his transition between electric and acoustic guitar is something I take a lot of inspiration from, which is something I've been working on recently. For people who haven't heard your music, how would you describe your sound?
I'd say I'm a mixture between Lucy Rose, Billie Marten and Ben Howard with a hint of Bon Iver.
Are you working on any new releases that people should watch out for?
I am yeah! I'm really excited, I'm currently writing and preparing to record for a release hopefully in time for the end of the year. I was going to release an EP a few months ago but then I decided to delay it as my sound was developing so much that I wanted to wait and see what I came up with and I'm really glad I did. I'm really proud of the songs I've been writing recently and I can't wait to finally share them with everyone.
Do you ever experiment with new sounds or do you know what you like in a track and stick to it?
I used to just stay strictly acoustic but I have always experimented with new fingerpicking techniques. I'm now experimenting as I've started playing electric guitar a lot more, I've also been buying pedals to try out some new sounds which is dangerous territory as a poor student! I'm enjoying writing with my electric and playing around with different reverbs and delays with my loop pedal but I haven't done this live yet so I'm excited for what's to come. It's pretty great that you're getting your name out there and playing so many gigs. Has anyone in particular guided you through the process or given you any advice that stands out in particular? I feel really lucky because since moving down to Brighton I've been surrounded by so many people actively working in the music industry who are always offering me advice and guidance. There's a really nice network at the minute between some Brighton bands and myself and it's really nice to be friends with such like-minded people. I study a songwriting degree and I learn lots of different things, especially in my business module which I find really interesting. I learn about how to manage my social media etc and Suzi Ireland, who works at my uni, has given me lots of guidance at the start of the year and I really didn't have a clue what I was doing but now I feel like I've progressed quite a lot and I'm always trying to network. So would you say that doing these live shows has helped you to progress as a musician? Definitely! I've been playing live for the past six years and it's my favourite thing ever. It's such a nice feeling when you play a new song live and it goes down well, gigs in Brighton especially are really intimate. Playing live has improved my confidence a ridiculous amount so it has definitely helped. Finally, what would be your dream festival to play and who else would be on the line-up? My dream festival would be to play at Barn on the Farm as the line up every year contains the majority of my favourite songwriters. I'd love to include the likes of Lucy Rose, Ben Howard and Bon Iver on the line up and also bands like Bombay Bicycle Club, Black Honey, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats (please listen to them if you're reading this and haven't already) and Mumford and Sons. Words Lauren Wade @laurenlily__
Liverpool has become a talking-point for its ever growing crop of raw talent and new music in recent years. With so much talent to be found in the city it can be hard to get yourself heard, but psych rockers Go Fiasco are amongst the northerners growing in popularity, whilst injecting that much needed dose of excitement and originality into the music industry. Could this four-piece be our saviours?
On first impressions alone, we've come over all attentive and eager to discover if the band's sound is as epic as their name. We're not disappointed. Go Fiasco's latest offering Meet My Mystery is a six track EP with an infectious beat threaded throughout. Guitarist Jamie Roberts ensures the energy never dips with dreamy riffs, twisting between the tracks yet up-keeping an integral presence. Roberts' Peace-esque guitar work also does a nice job of framing Daniel Duggan's smooth vocals.
A smug feeling arises when listening to this particular band, however it is stand-out tracks like Cutting Corners that really catch our attention. The tune is a woozy kind of effort which definitely belongs in the sexy stratosphere. There is no other place that would seem fitting. The Liverpool outfit provide us with a punchy beat too, leading us to the revelation that this is one sound tailored for festivals.
Shorter in comparison, title-track Meet My Mystery is a tune that dribbles into life before ramping things up. The riffs Go Fiasco deal in are undeniably addictive. If they were a substance, we could compare them to the fine batches that Breaking Bad's Walter White never fails to cook up. They're undeniably good and you can tell they deserve the positive reactions they're receiving. Go Fiasco's humble roots have served them well, let's hope they bypass the industry bark (which has a tendency to destroy even the best) and reach the peak of success on their own terms.
In our exclusive interview with the band, Go Fiasco speak to us about taking everything in their stride, the talent of Liverpool and much more...
Firstly, how did the 'Meet My Mystery' EP come to be?
We had crafted a whole new live set, which we were really proud of and decided to get it recorded in a demo form as quickly as possible, so that people could learn the words and sing along if they wanted to. This EP is quite different to the last one as it is the lastest experiment of ours as we try and find the sound we are searching for. We feel the last EP sounded better on record and this one sounds better live, the next EP will capture the best of both worlds. We are getting closer to our own unique sound.
What is your favourite track from the EP and why?
I think every one of us has different favourites, but it seems to be Heaven and Cutting Corners that most people connect with the quickest.
Are you championing any other local musicians?
It seems their is a lot of movement within Liverpool at the moment and some interesting musicians doing interesting things, however we haven't found any bands that are capturing the kind of vibe that we're striving for.
Do you have a stand-out career moment so far?
We try to just take it every day at a time, we do love what we do but, but because we're so fixated on creating something worthwhile, it feels as though the true highlights are still to come. Having the opportunity to play and create music every days is a highlight in itself.
Have you been out on the festival circuit yet?
With our current line-up we have been a band for little under a year, so unfortunately not, we are however excited for when the opportunity arises.
Which direction would you like to take your music in?
We've been working away and trying new things and now we have a few more tricks up our collective sleeve.
With so much talent around, what is it that makes you guys different?
We understand that less is more, but sometimes more is more than that.
Finally, what can we expect from the band in the nearby future?
It's rare for an artist to come along and nail it in one. Liverpool's Mick Flaherty certainly gives this a go on the rough cuts from his brand new (yet still untitled) new EP. Synapse-melting to their core, the tracks are accessorised with an inexorable, hazy vocal. Flaherty's previous effort Dream Thief was described by Rock Revolver as being "steeped in hazy tinges" with "a mellow chord progression".
The rough cuts definitely do not mirror each other. In the same vein as Dream Thief, the first track Around a Fire from this untitled EP stands out for all of the right reasons. It's Flaherty at his best, dipping into an experimental, yet glorious route. The second track Restless Night doesn't quite live up to it's predecessor, hanging heavy with vocals that could do with a polish. Bear in mind this is only a rough edit, it would be foolish to doubt that Mick Flaherty will fail to deliver anything less that dreamy, for us to lock into on the final version of this EP.
Rock Revolver was granted access to an exclusive interview with the man himself, to discuss his writing process and how he's doing things differently.
Rock Revolver (RR) -Firstly, can you tell me why you decided to start making music?
Mick Flaherty (MF) - I think its one of them irrational creative impulses. I liked the idea of creating something from nothing, and I used to spend a lot of my time as a kid drawing, so I think it comes from the same place as that; a kind of drawing with sound. Plus, without getting too mystical about it, I think it also allows you to re-connect with deeper parts of yourself as I often find the act of playing a type of mini meditation. I think its more a case of finding a release for certain energies and emotions in a creative way, and in that case, the release of them ideas comes in sonic form.
RR - You've released an EP of rough cuts, what was the writing process like behind those songs?
MF - I'm currently in the process of recording an EP of possibly four songs, although I know I can get carried away, and I've got an engineer who is on my wavelength. It might turn into a long term project of attempting an album and taking a few songs from that at a time, for EP or single releases. The songs themselves are from the latest set that I've been playing around Liverpool during the last four months or so. I had to slightly alter the way I write, and I incorporated the likes of different guitar loops etc. into the actual writing process from scratch as opposed to putting them in later as details. The weird part has been trying to break them down again into individual layers and work out the logistics of recording. I find that with writing I seem to discover things as opposed to consciously look for the idea... a simple guitar arpeggio suddenly turns into four guitar lines over dubbed with a few beat boxing layers, and then you notice one of your poems from your lyric book can be manipulated to fit it. I'm often detached, or unconscious of the process taking place - I just go with it, then when I have something concrete there, I think 'Okay, where can I take this now?' I think its only at that point that I start to consciously engage with it, up until then it seems to be instinctive really.
RR - What are your favourite tracks to play live?
MF - I've been enjoying Restless Night the last few times I've played. It's that detachment thing again where you are so immersed in what you're doing that nothing else exists at that minute in time. I've noticed on occasions, where I'm completely in my zone and unaware of what is around me, that suddenly the background noise begins to drop and people are just listening... that's a magical feeling. I'm finding that the tracks I'm gigging now all have there pros and cons in a live set up, so its a case of tweaking what works, and being flexible enough on stage to slightly alter them when needed... which has been something I've been really happy with, especially getting out of a situation where you have looped something wrong and can delete it, and re-record a loop live without anyone noticing the mistake.
RR - If you could cover one song, what would it be and why?
MF - I've never been one for covers... which is bad when someone hands you a guitar and asks 'play something'. I've been learning a few guitar lines for the development of my own technique and might occasionally sit down and have a play around with a Jose Gonzales/Ben Howard or Nick Drake song. However, I usually find that an hour later I've come up with something of my own and what I was playing around with has basically just been a spring board to push me off in another direction. I have one friend over in Greece who is always sending me videos of new music she has found, and often artists doing unexpected covers too... which is a hint for me to do likewise I guess (laughs). If I where to do a cover then I would have to pick something slightly obscure, unexpected and make it in my own style, I think Perfect Circle's version of Imagine by John Lennon is a classic example... other than that it would be nice to be able to play Paco De Lucia compositions, but I think I need another twenty years of playing until I can even try.
RR - Are there any local musicians you're championing?
MF - I couldn't pick one artist or band to be honest. There are so many people doing their own thing and it would be unfair to pit one off against the other. In a city like Liverpool you find that the music scene can be a close knit thing where regardless of particular genres of music, you find the same faces out and about supporting each other. As such I'm always behind anyone who has a belief in what they're doing off their own back. Some night I'm amazed by the talent on offer, yet sometimes I'm dismayed by how much of it also goes unrecognized too.
RR - If you could only listen to one band for the rest of your life, who would you pick and why?
MF - Now that is a tough one, If it is one band, but I can choose from their entire back catalogue then I'd have to go with something like The Cinematic Orchestra so I could have some variation of moods in there... and some excellent music too of course.
RR - Which direction would you like to take your music in?
MF - Following on from the last question, something cinematic would be nice. Obviously the first step is trying to establish yourself as an artist, and I'm still open to the idea of a full band set up and going under the name of a band rather than my own name. However, as it stands at this moment in time I'm still finding where my music is taking me as a solo artist and despite my initial fears of people not getting what I'm doing, I've found that I'm being encouraged to actually be more self indulgent in my live shows, rather than just flying straight in with vocals in the worry that people are expecting standard songs with a singable chorus. In an ideal world I'd love to creating more of an atmosphere in live shows with some kind of visuals (animation etc) and have the chance of playing around with soundscapes. Until then though it can only be a series of small achievable goals. The first of which obviously being to have this EP finished and having the essential promotion covered to build up a fan base beyond the local level.
RR - What makes you stand out as an artist?
MF - I'm always worried about being misinterpreted as sounding full of myself when I answer questions like these but here goes... (laughs). I'd have to say from a neutral standpoint that I haven't seen or heard of anyone doing what I'm doing on the local scene. I think the only other person I can think of is a guy from Manchester called Denis Jones (if you don't know of him, check him out!). I got recommended to listen to him by the proprietor of one of our local music venues as he said my set up reminded him of the guy, which after listening to him I took as a huge compliment. I also find that in feedback I get from people at shows, which is usually along the lines of 'that was unexpected' or 'I've never seen anyone doing anything like that before'. So, I think I have a bit of niche there in that sense. Though I'm hoping that is as much a credit to the actual songs as it is to the onstage logistics (laughs).
RR - Do you think the talent of Liverpool is at it's best right now?
MF - It's at a good level, I can't say if it is any better or worse than in previous years, but I can say that it is definitely at a good level. As a musician here, or even just a music fan you can find an open mic every night through the week as there as so many of them about, and there are some amazingly talented people out there. I have a few regular ones I attend as I find them good rehearsals, and a good way of getting your music to people, but they are good to see how people are developing musically and also I tend to find a new artist or band each week that stands out to me; it's a good indicator of the pool of talent on offer.
RR - Finally, what can we expect from you in the future?
MF - Hopefully an EP launch with some kind of mini tour if possible. I hate to use words like 'product' and 'marketing', but that's where my head is at the minute, having a marketable product i.e. the finalized recordings ready for the market and getting out there to get that to people via gigs and promotion. In the longer term, hopefully an album put together and expanding the geographic of my gigs, and establishing myself more to a level of financial independence so I can concentrate on this 100%, but as I said achievable short term goals is what I'm aiming for at this point, so having the EP available for distribution, some live shows and an accompanying press buzz are my first targets over the coming months in the words of Lao Tzu "A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step".
I'd like to thank Mick Flaherty for taking the time to do this interview. We will definitely be keeping an eye out for him in the future.
Port Isla are an alternative folk band from Norwich who were formed in 2011. They describe themselves as "covering 80's power ballads, complaining about beard growth and arguing about the correct usage of knots" and this is on a bad day! Since their formation, Port Isla have gone on to play The Great Escape in Brighton, opened the main stage at Playfest and played at the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg. You should definitely give their single 'Sinking Ship' a listen and if I still haven't convinced you, then your mind will be changed after this interview.
Rock Revolver (RR) - Hi thanks for agreeing to the interview. You're a folk/rock band and there seems to be a folksy trend amongst many bands at the moment. What is it about folk that you like?
Port Isla (PI) - I guess it fits very well with our songwriting style. Plus we are all big fans of singing in harmony.
RR - How did you all meet?
PI - Three of us met two years ago when we started uni at UEA. We worked on our songs and gigged a bit but soon we realised we needed a bassist, so we asked our friend Willem and luckily he agreed!
RR - Why did you choose the name 'Port Isla'?
PI - The name came from Stan and I looking through holiday photos. We found one of a rowing boat from my trip to Isla and the name came pretty naturally.
RR - Who are your influences and what do they mean to you?
PI - We consider lots of artists as influences, our main ones are The Beach Boys, Coldplay, Fleet Foxes and Neil Young.
RR - Do you think guitar music will ever truly be dead?
PI - I think anyone who says that is kidding themselves. There will always be a market for guitar bands, it's just something that drifts in and out of fashion.
RR - Can you describe your experience in Rocket From the East?
PI - It is a battle of the bands esq competition in East Anglia. We pulled out all the stops for our final performance at the Norwich Waterfront and it really paid off. I can safely say that was one of my favourite gigs.
RR - How have you balanced studying and music?
PI - To be perfectly honest, as soon as something like a release or a gig comes up, I completely ignore uni stuff.
RR - You have been compared to Mumford & Sons in the past, any thoughts?
PI - They are a very talented and popular band so I suppose you can take it as a compliment, but we do not consider them an influence (I haven't got round to listening to either of their records).
RR - If you could headline any festival which one would you choose and why?
PI - Glastonbury, without a doubt. I have never been but who could refuse a spot on the Pyramid stage?
RR - What impact have the 1960's had on your music if any?
PI - Well we are very big fans of The Beatles and The Beach Boys amongst many others, and their vocal harmonies are a big influence on our sound. It is probably our favourite era for music.
RR - Do you have any plans for the future?
PI - Just to keep on making music until we can call it our full time job.
RR - If you had to listen to one band for the rest of your life who would it be and why?
PI - I would probably get bored of anything after a while, so just for the sake of it I'll say Badly Drawn Boy or Beck. They have both got so many good albums.
RR - What runs through your mind when you are on stage?
PI - I'm worrying whether I'm singing in tune or playing the right chord usually, but every now and then I stop freaking out and just enjoy playing these songs with my best friends.
RR - Is there anything that you would like to change about your music career so far?
PI - Not really, but I have managed to break guitar strings at nearly every gig we've played. I should probably stop thrashing my poor guitar so much.
RR - What is the one unforgettable moment that you will never forget?
PI - The first time we went to a studio together to record our debut single 'Sinking Ship'. Up until then, we recorded lots of demos on our own at our respective homes. I can't wait to go back!
If you would like to find out more information about Port Isla you can find them here:
What do you think about Port Isla? Do you think they sound similar to their influences? What is your opinions of their single 'Sinking Ship'. Comment below.
Angry Vs The Bear are an electro, punk-tinged four piece from Essex, who kindly agreed to give me an exclusive interview. Read on to discover the truth behind those haircuts, what plans they have for their debut album and more.
Rock Revolver (RR) - Firstly, how did you all meet?
Angry Vs The Bear (AVB) - Mitzi, Pat and Darren were in a band together previously and when they decided to start a new project (Angry Vs The Bear) they found Ross on the Internet!
RR - Have you always wanted to be part of a band and if so why?
AVB - Yes, it is all any of us have ever wanted to do. We have all been in different bands for years and love everything about it. We have now got something that really works, and feel very privileged that we can now do this for our job.
RR - Have your Essex roots influenced your musical style in any form?
AVB - We are all very proud of our Essex roots and in particular Colchester. Seeing bands such as Blur come out of Colchester and go on to be globally recognised has made us want to do the same.
RR - You all have such incredible hairstyles, is there a story behind the hair?
AVB - No, there is no real story, it's just something that has developed as we have gone on. We just try and out do each other, and before you know it it's out of control!
RR- Are you fans of music from the 1960's, and if so which bands/artists?
AVB - We are fans of most types of music no matter what decade it's from. The thing we like about music from back in the day is that musicians had to be good, because the tools to make anyone sound good were not available then so bands would have to record live, and if mistakes were made the only choice were either to live with it or start again from the top! No auto tune back then!
RR- What is the best gig you have ever attended and why?
AVB - That's a tough question as we have all been to so many. As a band we would probably say SXSW. It's a festival so it's more like loads of gigs all together, with bands playing on every street corner, car park, shop, pub, venue etc. The whole experience of it is amazing and something that everyone should try to go to. You get to see bands like Muse playing in tiny venues all across the city.
RR- Who is the most famous person you have met?
AVB - That's also a hard question as we have met and played with so many really good bands, like Florence and The Machine, Labrinth, Dirty Pretty Things, The Hoosiers and Neon Trees etc. Florence and The Machine were really nice and invited us out with them after the show. We have done a few gigs with Newton Faulkner as well and had breakfast with him in Manchester. I think Mitzi has even got his phone number! The Futureheads were great and gave us most their rider and they still keep in touch. Gary Powell from The Libertines is a fan of the band too, and one of the nicest famous people we have met!
RR- What can we expect from your debut album?
AVB - Twelve songs on a CD in a cardboard case, ha ha, well we have just started to record it and we are really excited about getting it done and letting people hear it, but you can be sure that we will be putting everything including the kitchen sink in to it.
RR- If you had to describe your sound in three words, what would you say?
AVB - Exciting, synth, pop.
RR- Which member has the best taste in music and why?
AVB - Well obviously we all think we have the best taste in music! But we all listen to an extremely diverse collection of songs and genres from 50's soul to reggae, to Lady Gaga and beyond.
RR- Can you tell me a bit about the writing process behind your latest single 'London Town'?
AVB - London Town was written in the same way we write all of our songs. We have our own studio, so we spend a lot of time in there thrashing around ideas. We usually start with the music, which can just start with three chords that we like the progression of, and then we just start playing them and see where it goes from there. We are also heavily into our weird sounds. Sometimes you can find one sound and the song almost writes itself. It's a weird process, sometimes you can write a song in half an hour, other times it takes months.
RR- What was it like to play at SXSW?
AVB - It was so good we did it again the next year. It was a really unbelievable experience. For some reason the Americans just got what we are about. We couldn't walk more than about five steps without people stopping us for photographs or interviews. We sold out all of our shows and even had the road closed off because there were so many people outside the venue listening to us play. It was mental.
RR- Who would you say are the best band that you have toured with in the past, and why?
AVB - Probably the Futureheads. They were just really nice blokes and gave us loads of booze. I think we still have their jar of peanut butter in our van.
RR- Personally, which one would you say is Britain's best city for music and why?
AVB - Well it's more of a town but we would have to say COLCHESTER! Because that is where we are from. Colchester's music scene is really good at the moment, with more live venues opening all of the time. You can see live music every night of the week if you want.
RR- Aside from your album, do you have any plans for the future?
AVB - We are always planning something. Well today we are going through the very lengthy process of Visa applications to get our working visas for the US, so we can go back to SXSW in March. Other than that we don't like to give too much away so just watch this space!
I would like to thank Angry Vs The Bear (and their manager) for agreeing to this interview and I wish them every success for the future.
If you would like to find out more about the band you can find them on the following links:
