Hiya mate thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
I think ive always been musical for as long as I can remember – I used to play guitar in school when I was 8, so I became an expert in 3 chords. But yeah, I learnt piano at ten and then it all took off.
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
So Pacificaze is me, Jack. Pete and Jon are the ones tasked with taking my home demos and adding magic with great musicianship, guidance and just being top lads.
Name me your 3 favorite Albums.
Foster the People – Torches
The Vaccines – What did you expect from the Vaccines?
Best Coast – Crazy for You.
(Couldn’t not add Pet Sounds and Abbey Road)
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
Come Together – The Beatles. Put my Dads Abbey Road CD on when he was at work and played the album cover to cover. He came home and told me the Beatles had split up 25 years ago and that was it. Couldn’t believe it and picked up the guitar shortly after.
The music industry is the hardest industry in the world to progress in, How do you feel you are doing?
I feel Im doing alright, learned my trade in a couple of bands over the past few years, and producing other indie bands so doing this solo is easier with that experience. I try and do something every day regardless how small.
Im seeing a lot of debate about women not feeling safe at music gigs, any thoughts on what we need to do to help?
I think we all have the responsibility to call it out, and to be honest, if your mates are being weird with girls don’t be afraid to call them out for it either.
As you develop as an artist and develop using socials what ways do you get new ears on your music? Any tips?
I always follow bands/artists regardless if iv ever heard of them because I think we all need that boost from our industry peers. Then naturally, their music starts showing up on my feeds, and go from follower to fan.
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you.
Once played at Goodison Park and Anfield on the same day.
I have starred in a film that is currently on Amazon Prime.
I once bumped into David Bowie on a school trip.
What’s your thought on Spotify’s monopoly on the music industry?
I love Spotify and spend hours every day listening to tunes, and can’t think of a viable alternative – better than people stealing your music on Limewire, but they should definitely pay artists a little more.
Do you sign up for any conspiracy theories?
All of them.
I love them, make me feel like there are endless possibilities to what goes on in the real world.
Did you buy anything you don’t need during the pandemic?
A weights bench…
What was the worst experience on stage?
The feedback from the speakers was a semi-tone up from the song I was singing and ended up pitch matching with that.
Tell us something about you / each member that you think people would be surprised about?
I can only speak for myself I guess, but yeah I booked a one-way ticket to Ibiza with a few hundred pounds in my account, to move into a worker’s apartment with people id never met. Wild Summer.
What makes you stand out as a band/artist?
I’m constantly assessing and critiquing music I hear and write, and find my perfect pitch makes playing and producing songs challenging, but if it’s not my best work it’s not getting put out.
I hear you have a new music, what can you tell us about it.
Yes. I wrote this tune a couple of years ago and it was always ready to go and record but I didn’t have the confidence to do it alone after years of being in bands but wanting something different. But once I got the ball rolling, it’s the best thing I have ever done
Talk me through the thought process of the new tune/s.
I found a cool couple of inverted chords, which became the pillar of the chord sequence, and it grew from there and there. I bought a cheap £25 loop pedal and a cathedral reverb pedal – played the chords – and added riffs and riffs at my leisure.
The chorus did come to me when I was trying to sleep – didn’t leave until I put it in my phone voice notes.
I love the sea and the beach, as well as the beach boys type of tunes, so wanted to recreate that summer surf feeling.
What was the recording process like?
Initially, it was really stressful as it was the first time entering the studio alone with some ideas and a new drummer. But the lads took the tune and helped me shape into what I wanted it to be. Pete only needed 2 takes to record the tune, Jon (Engineer) added some bass and we went from there.
The tune was completed at Allo Sound and sent off to Charlie Stavish (Ryan Adams) to mix, however, I went with a mix from Lewis Pesacov in the end. I loved the work he had done on the Best Coast Crazy for You album, and he managed to recreate that Californian feel id been yearning for in my tunes.
Couldn’t have made the tune without the lads above, so thanks a lot.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
Dealing with the mental block and having the confidence to know I can do this on my own, I don’t put too much pressure on myself now – I just take a step back and go again tomorrow.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
I think how long it’s taken me to be happy with every minute detail, the next tunes will come thick and fast.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I also recorded a music video with my friend/videographer Dylan Whitty for Wanderlust, which is now out. I guess just watch this space.
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