Hiya Lindsey, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What was life like for you before you got into music?
I can’t remember a time without it, so there wasn’t a ‘before’! Even as a toddler I made a microphone from wood and string so I could sing along to Top of the Pops. I come from a musical family and studied classical piano, before fronting several bands. Dave and I met at university when we were in different punk bands – and music has always been at the centre of our marriage (along with our two beautiful girls).
It seems like being a social media curator has become added to the many jobs of a musician, how do you feel about this?
It’s important, but time-consuming and distracting. Creating great work remains our priority. Chasing streams these days is little more than an ego-boost; but our work is quite cinematic, so we’d love to be involved Film & TV.
How do you manage engagement on your socials?
Ha ha – not very well! It’s a question of balance; what shall I do today? Write, record, produce or spend time self-promoting instead? What we do have is a good website and a core of active followers who we keep posted by email. It’s easy to sign up for our news at https://www.suris.uk/
We are on all the socials of course and maybe soon we’ll post some ‘behind the scenes’ stuff showing how we go about things… One thing we always do is respond; if anyone approaches us to ask a question or pitch services, we’ll always message back – with courtesy. Our email is suris@suris.uk
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
We’ve seen the industry move from label-based control to more of an artist democracy, but only in the sense that it’s easy to release your material to the whole world. Let’s be in no doubt that it still takes major label investment to launch an artist to a mass audience. And you know what? That’s OK – they spot, develop and invest in the talent. Way back we got a demo deal from Ensign records based on a cassette demo from a 4-track studio – no way would that happen today!
The problem for everyone – listeners, artists, curators, labels – is the sheer volume of music out there. Technology is making it ever easier for people to produce their own music, but not necessarily with talent or originality. AI won’t make things any better – it’s a worry.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
We try to be aware of trends and tastes, but we always focus on developing and stretching our own sound – there’s no point in emulating others. We admire artists who ‘break the mould’ – like Kate Bush and Bjork – and it’s been pleasing to see comparisons made with those great artists by reviewers of ‘Pertinax’! Genre-wise we’re Art Rock, Alt Rock, Alt Folk, Prog Rock, Psyche Rock and Dream Pop. Take your pick – it depends on the song.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
Don’t try to second-guess what people want. Don’t set limitations on yourself. Break rules if it serves the song. Be authentic. There’s a tribe out there somewhere for us; we just need to find each other…
…and study your art; Dave has taken professional courses in mixing and mastering – it’s no good having ideas if you can’t realise them by being able to manage the technical side of things.
What was your best experience on stage?
Playing to full house – an engaged audience. We didn’t realise how lucky we were as students; the campus provided an almost captive audience! It’s harsh when you’re out in the real world, doing the South London circuit and paying venues for the privilege.
I won a Sky TV show called ‘Entertainer of the Year’ in 1991 – a precursor to the X Factor. That was pretty special – an engaged audience at the venue and on TV. Our video for ‘Take All She Brings’ was the prize; we had a few great days in Hastings and the TV studio with a Sky production team.
This track is on ‘Pertinax’ too – embellished, re-mixed and re-mastered.
What was your worst experience on stage?
Ha! Take your pick… playing to an empty room? Bad experiences often involve guitarists; how about coming in off-key because your capo’s in the wrong position? Or electrocuting yourself by grounding to a mic stand! (Dave says he’s not the guilty party). Dave once did a ‘golf club’ gig where he thought the keyboard player was really getting into the song – he was actually having an epileptic fit.
Tell us something about you / each member that you think people would be surprised about.
I’m a feeder and a grower – getting my hands dirty in the kitchen and the garden. And I’m a writer. My novel, short stories and poetry are all on our website.
Dave’s a joker. Nothing he likes better than messing about in formal photos or shocking friends and family. The biggest shock was to our girls one lockdown Christmas; he boogied around in his mankini without realising the elastic had perished in one crucial area – it had to go!
We’re both Christians, and naturally enough we support our Church by being members of the worship team – both playing in the band and running the sound desk.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
It’s soulful and at times challenging, reflecting the age and world we live in. The best bet is just to listen; we don’t want to bang on about it.
What was the recording process like?
We’re fortunate to have our own studio at home, so we always have things on the go. Dave and I play pretty much everything between us and the studio’s a great tool for writing, developing and producing all at the same time. I’m the main writer and Dave’s the main ‘tekkie’ but it’s not as simple that; we work together in an intimate and purposeful way to realise the ideas behind the lyrics. We’re always generous with each other, allowing the space and time for ideas to surface.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
I think we’ve got better at giving each individual song a sense of identity and purpose, using the right instruments to develop soundscapes that support the lyrics. We don’t start out with a particular ‘approach’ to a new collection; they are what they are, yet somehow there is cohesiveness – the ‘Suris sound’.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
No. It’s done. Move on.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Be kind. Persist in whatever makes your heart sing.
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