Hiya Polyvinyl, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
Thanks for joining us today… Tell us a bit about where you are from and how you got into music?
We’re from all around the North East!
The band started with us mainly living around South Tyneside, but now we stretch from north of Newcastle to a bit shy of York!
For all of us, music has always been THE thing we want to do, and there’s been no way of stopping that.
For me personally (Jamie), I’ve played the drums since I was 8 through South Tyneside Music Service, and I’ve been in bands since I was 17, and that’s just always been my thing, so I’ve been doing music for as long as I can remember.
What’s the live music scene like in the North East right now?
Honestly, this is the best I think things have ever been!
There’s such a culture boom going on right now in both Sunderland and Newcastle, and I think it’s going to keep getting stronger.
Sunderland Music City and Generator have been so amazing in terms of the support they’re giving local artists in and around the area.
For example, the rap scene is really exploding right now, and it’s great to see!
Anyone we should be looking out for?
There’s so many amazing people right now, so it would be impossible for me to name them all.
However, I will say I think something big is coming out of Sunderland soon.
Maybe it’s a comedian, maybe it’s a rapper or a band or a DJ, but something is coming, you can just feel it.
Do you think it’s easy to become a victim of our surroundings sometimes?
Victim is a strong word to use, but I think you’re always affected by what’s around you.
Wanting to be a musician is always treated like a fantasy, and it shouldn’t be!
Without the right support, people don’t realise that you actually can do this as a job, and that’s quite a strong feeling in the North East.
That’s why I think the organisations we have are so incredibly valuable!
What are your ambitions for the band?
Take things as far as they can go – always has been, and always will be!
We’ve got big plans for the rest of the year to stand out in the scene, but we aren’t just stopping at this year!
What’s your favourite social media platform to use and why?
We always focus Instagram (@polyvinylband) for our main platform, as we’ve always gotten the most engagement, but there’s value to all of them!
TikTok has become a bit of a testing ground for us, which is fun, and YouTube is really valuable because of our focus on visuals.
We believe it’s essential to have a presence on Facebook, Instagram and X to introduce yourself to all the different types of audiences out there, what’s your thoughts on that?
I’m not sure I agree with X, as so many people have moved away from it, but I do think it’s useful to have just in case.
Instagram and Facebook are tied together, so if you have one then you can easily use both.
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
Generally it looks bleak from the outside, but I don’t think it’s much different than it always has been.
It’s hard to get started in the arts because you need to be spending time and not earning money from it, so you really need a strong support network – but I think it’s just as hard as getting into writing books, or photography!
What’s your thoughts on AI generated music?
Controversially, I think there’s a place for it.
AI music exists, and now it will exist, but it serves a different purpose to “real” music.
Background stuff, royalty free, muzak – that’s the industries that I think will really feel the effects over time.
It’s more annoying to see an AI poster or cover!
What’s the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
That actually believing is half the battle.
I’ve known a lot of people in music over the years, and the ones who do the best are the ones who genuinely believe they can, and do everything they can to prove it!
That, and how many things you can get by asking people nicely.
What’s currently in your ears and on rotation at the moment?
The new Take That single “You’re a Superstar”.
I’ve got tickets to see them in Sunderland for the Circus tour they’re doing again, and I can’t wait for the next album.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
We’ve just released “Underground Girl”, which is the second single from our upcoming EP!
We’ve been saying this one is a frustrated reflection of the first single “Running From Home”, which I think you can really hear when you listen back to back.
We’ve got another single coming before the EP in May, which we’ll be announcing soon!
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
I think it can be harmful to think like that, as you’ll never be satisfied with what you do.
Everyone who had input in these songs had done their best, and made them what they are today – I wouldn’t change any of it.
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