Hiya (Paul – Guitarist in Youth Killed It), 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?*
Not very inspiring. I mean, I had hobbies, but nothing really excited me. I enjoyed playing football but didn’t really follow it like the rest of my mates. Skateboarding was another hobby. I wasn’t particularly good, though. However, it was through doing that which introduced me to punk rock music.
*What’s the live music scene like in (Norwich) right now? Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?*
Norwich has always had decent bands and a good little music scene. Especially with the likes of the music festival ‘Wild Paths’ (a multi-venue festival similar to TGE, Live at Leeds etc), which, alongside national acts, gives local bands a platform to perform. I’d recommend checking out ‘Pleasure Inc’. Great image, great band. Definitely one of the most exciting acts on the local scene right now.
*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 taken us some time to enjoy making content. I personally feel if you’re not being authentic or enjoying it, it becomes a chore. In Youth Killed It, we’re all creative individuals, so we enjoy other aspects like creating the artwork and coming up with video concepts. So I feel content creating is just another outlet for that. However, realistically, if you want to stand out, you have to be on it all the time. It’s pretty much a full time job itself.
*How do you manage engagement on your socials?*
Between all 4 members in the band, we always make sure one of us is available to respond and reply to comments. It’s important to interact with potential fans and of course followers of the band. We all have a login to our socials. It’s mainly me that will chat to people in DMs, just because it’s easier for one person to handle a conversation.
*What’s your view on the music industry today?*
It’s bigger than it ever has been in terms of how many artists and bands there are nowadays. Obviously, it’s a lot easier to put out music without having to spend top money on recording an album. Traditional methods of releasing new music seem to be out the door in terms of PR etc, and bands are spending more money on social media ads without actually knowing how to navigate it. There are so many videos only giving conflicting information.
*Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?*
We’re a DIY artist. We sit close to the bottom of the food chain. But we do it for the love of it. We have fun creating and playing songs. When someone reacts to our music in the same way, there’s no better feeling.
*What’s the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?*
We need to be on it more with content creation. Word of mouth is great, but to reach a wider audience we need to continually create content while at the same time being authentic and having fun.
*What was your best experience on stage?*
I can’t predict the future, but we’ve always wanted to play 2000 Trees and we get to do so next week (10th July) in a 4000 cap tent. I imagine that experience will be up there.
*What was your worst experience on stage?*
Nothing worse than travelling to a venue 100 miles from home and playing to one person, the venue owner! So that experience itself isn’t much fun, which can leave you not enjoying it as much on stage. But if you want a quick answer… breaking a string. I do that way too often!
*Tell us something about you / each member that you think people would be surprised about.*
I have a few different personas depending on the day. Jack (Vocalist) loves wearing Crocs. Danny (Lead Guitarist) gets lost at service stations. Joel (Drums) is obsessed with Abe’s Oddysee.
*I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?*
Yes, we have a new single out called Johnny Bravado, which is part of a new EP called “Are You Having a Good Time? (Part 1)”. This will go on to be part of two EPs forming one physical release. The EP title comes from an inside joke that has now become something we say at shows.
Johnny Bravado came together very quickly.. an idea I brought to Jack on guitar, and we completed the structure in 30 minutes. His lyrics came just as quick. The song is about wanting to be someone who inspires you, someone you think is cool and lives the best life, but then you realise not all is what it seems, and actually, you’re quite content in your own way.
*What was the recording process like?*
We had demo versions of the songs in advance from writing sessions. Jack is a producer and has his own studio set up, so it’s been easy to get together and jam ideas. When it came to properly recording the songs, we took a week off work and locked ourselves in the studio. It was a fun, sometimes tense experience, but for the better part of it, because I feel we’ve created our best music yet. We also came up with new sounds and intricate parts in the studio that probably wouldn’t have existed otherwise.
*What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?*
Try to stay in your own lane. Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing or what sounds are trending. When it stops being fun and authentic, stop.
*Would you change anything now it’s finished?*
Nope. It’s a rager.
*Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?*
Are you having a good time?
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