How did you first get into music?
Joe: I first got into music through iTunes when I was around nine. I had an iPod touch back then, and my dad would give me five pounds a month to buy five songs. This allowed me for the first time to think independently about who and what I was listening to and thus putting me on the path to falling in love with music.
Shi: My older brothers were massively influential on my music, introducing me to the likes of Nirvana, Pixies and more when I was little, as well as my mum. One of my earliest memories of loving music was listening to one of Metallica’s albums on CD with her on the way to school. I connected with my Dad’s more soulful taste later on, we share a fondness of thumping bass.
Greatest Strength/Greatest Weakness?
Joe: My greatest strength I would say is that I can be very empathetic. I like to think I am thoughtful and kind to my family and friends and place a considerable importance on being there for others. My greatest weakness I’d say is a lack of discipline. I often struggle to commit to things fully and can be prone to dropping them too soon. Though, as I'm aware of it, I can improve on it!
What interests or hobbies do you have outside of music?
Shi: I’ve always been really into films as well and reading and writing. I guess storytelling in all its different forms has always been crucial to me. There’s a lot of parallels in the creation process I find interesting and relate to.
How do you nurture your own creativity?
Shi: I’d say allowing enough mental space for ideas to ferment is really important for creativity. Also being in tune with experiences, emotions, and stories I think are worth capturing and expressing. I like Johnny Cash’s quote ‘I have to get filled up in order to pour out.’
Joe: Creativity can be a slippery thing. To nurture my creativity, a creative routine is important. Writing every day is a great way to easily slip into the creative stream. Limiting screen time is also extremely useful to avoid distraction.
What is your creative process when making music?
Shi: Usually what happens is myself or Joe will come up with something on guitar/keyboard and start writing it lyrically, then bring it to the other to help finish it or flesh it out with some lead guitar/harmonies. I’m not too strict or structured with it, I tend to get carried away with it. I do focus on the details a lot in making sure I find the most accurate way of phrasing what I’m trying to convey. What I am fussy about is writing in a messy room, it doesn’t put me in the right mindset!
Joe: The creative process can vary. Sometimes it can be a process across a few days, with a subconscious connection of different ideas and topics. You can be playing guitar and singing and randomly something that happened last week can come out of your mouth. Usually, I’d say the creative process is being in touch with feeling, and when you should follow the creative sense. When following this sense, the session is normally productive.
What is your main inspiration?
Shi: Alex Turner, Maarten Devoldere (warhaus). I love Turner’s writing style, vocals and the instrumental always hits the spot for me. I also admire the shape shifting nature of the band, they’re always trying new things aesthetically, musically, but retain their core. Warhaus is also a big inspiration for me, I love his darker, string heavy and bass centric approach and his voice is simply great.
Joe: Probably Neil Young. His mindset of always staying true to himself no matter what is truly inspiring. He has aged gracefully and was a big climate activist long before it was a popular opinion. His songs are incredible too!
What is your proudest achievement as far as an artist?
Joe: The proudest moment has been a headline gig we played at The East Street Tap. It was the largest achievement because the energy of the crowd was incredible. It was the first time to see the power of music from the perspective of the band, creating this extremely distinct connection. And music is about connection, so this being the truest form of connection I've experienced with music, makes it my proudest achievement. A second achievement would be the recording of our debut album in 2022 called ‘Why’s it Always Wednesday?’ We created it from nothing. Only us and producer Frederick Robin. The experience was challenging and such an education that releasing it was a huge achievement.
Shi: I think I’d have to agree with these, they were really seminal moments for us as a band. I also think another that pops to mind is being able to dedicate a David Bowie song to my mum (she’s a Bowie fanatic) on her birthday at one of our gigs. That was an emotional moment. I’d also say our most recent release, our EP ‘Burner’ because it just feels like a really cohesive project, musically and aesthetically. The pacing is great on it, with a climactic build up, leading into really fast paced tracks and finally a (mind the pun) slow burner which Ed’s with a bang.
What are your plans in the coming months?
Shi: Well, we’ll be setting up base back in London now that we’ve left Brighton, so we’re just going to get on the gigging scene here and introduce ourselves. As for future plans, we’ve got a good collection of songs that we’re working on at the moment. We’d also definitely like to work with a record label this year!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Joe: In 5 years, I would like the band to be signed to a label, with a secure musical reputation that allows artistic freedom. The goal is simply that. Not to make lots of money or be famous, but to have the luxury of bringing songs to their full potential.
