Exclusive Interview: Getting To Know States Of Emotion

I met States Of Emotion completely by chance when I ventured into Essex for the first time to pay a visit to The White Room Studios. It was there that they were rehearsing their material and after they were kind enough to play me a few of their tracks, I was hooked. I then made a mental note to nab the guys for an interview so we could all get to know them a bit better...

There seems to be such a great rapport between you all, you've known each other for a long time but what made you decide to group together as a band?

(Olly) "Luke, Bonzai and I formed the band at school 12 years ago, we had some mutual friends but didn't really know each other at the time, I walked past the music room one lunchtime and heard Bonzai jamming with some other musicians, they were playing "The Hives-Hate To Say I Told You So" I can remember being really impressed and asking my music teacher who the bass player was, turns out he had already formed a band with Luke on drums. I then set about poaching the pair of them to join the band I was starting up. I knew Luke's cousin Adam Pelosi, so I asked Adam to introduce me to Luke, we got on really well and he agreed to come and have a jam with me and a couple of mates. It went really well, we had a laugh, so we decided to make it a weekly arrangement, after a couple of weeks Luke managed to convince Bonzai to join us. The other 2 lads we'd been jamming with left after a few weeks but Luke,Bonzai and I were determined to carry on so we played for a few years as a 3 piece, always under the name States of Emotion, right from the start. A good friend of ours Rishi then joined and played guitar with us for a while before deciding to call it a day. I'd been mates with Brick since primary school, he was also friends with Luke and Bonzai as they were in the same year group at senior school, we got him down to rehearse with us the day after Rishi left and it's been us 4 ever since."

Your music doesn't confine itself to one given genre, do you all have different influences that you bring to the table?

"We all listen to loads of music and we do have a variety of personal influences which we bring to the table individually but we collectively share a mutual love for Coldplay and U2. They've both hugely inspired us as a band."

The lyrics in most of your tracks really tug on the heartstrings, who writes the lyrics and what's your process of piecing them all together?

(Olly) "I write the lyrics, I'm very grateful to have an emotional outlet like this in my life. All I can really say about it is that I write from the heart and I'd feel like a fraud if I didn't do so." The story of how this band got together is an honest one and I write songs about real incidents in my life. Don't get me wrong, once upon a time we were arrogant, pretentious, insecure teenagers that didn't know any better but that stage is now years behind us, I sleep very well every night these days !"

Your recent release of 'The Way That I'm Wired' has received such a positive response, how does this feel for you all?

"It feels great when people respond positively to our music. It means so much to us all when people have a genuine love for what we do, it's what we work so hard for."

Describe each other in one word

Olly - "Luke = Loyal, Brick = Talented, Bonzai = Genuine"

Luke - "Olly = Singer, Brick = Guitarist, Bonzai = Bassist"

Bonzai - "Luke = Alcoholic, Brick = Beard, Olly = OCD"

Brick = "Luke = Luke,Olly = OllyBonzai = Bonzai"

Alongside band duties, Olly also manages Flag Factory which champions local talent and hosts alternative Clubnights in Essex. This weekend will see the exciting return of Flag Factory Festival. 

Taking place at The White Horse in Coxtie Green Brentwood on Fri 12th Sept & Sat 13th Sept, the 2 day event will feature 23 of the most exciting new music artists from in and around Essex. Alongside a wide range of Beers & Ales, BBQ and a selection of stalls including Vintage Clothing, Records, Tattoo exhibition, Arts & Crafts + more.

For More information visit: https://www.facebook.com/flagfactory.presents?fref=ts

Introducing Katie Coleman

'Honest, energetic and fun' are the three words that up and coming solo artist, Katie Coleman, uses to describe her debut EP.The bubbly 19 year old has been dividing her time between her hometown of Darlington and the studios of London to work with, amongst others, Mike Bianco at Elephant Lane Studios and Grammy winner, Ian Dowling. (Adele) for the still to be named EP, which I was informed will be released early this year. Most people would find it stressful or difficult dividing their time between two cities so far apart, however Katie takes it all in her stride. 'It's not so difficult really! I teach singing on a weekend in my hometown, so I'm always down during the week for studio time and writing. I think if you really wanna pursue something you love, then I feel it's only a small thing in the long run'. The Pop Soul singer has a voice as big as her personality, which has already gained her a few slots at London's famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz club. 'For the last year I've really developed as an artist, so being able to play these venues is a really cool achievement!' Is her answer to how it feels to have accomplished so much in such little time before adding 'I've been working hard in the studio with some great writers and producers the last few months working on the 'Katie Coleman' sound. I feel like I've already gained so much experience, so it feels good'.

With a signature blonde bouffant and flicking eyeliner, in all of her YouTube videos Katie has certainly nailed the stylish, vintage look which then manifests itself into her music but with a personal edge.  'I've always been fascinated with the old school sound and really classic iconic looks from those eras. I grew up listening to soulful singers like Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Jimi Hendrix and those are just a few names from my dad's collection that I would put on in the car as a kid! But now, as music is evolving, I love mixing that sound with an urban twist and really trying to find something new, which people will connect with how I did with those old soul singers!' As well taking notes from such musical icons, Katie Coleman manages to find her own niche within her songwriting by mixing in her own life experiences. 'I've been writing since I was 10 years old, so a lot of the inspiration Comes from life experiences since then; family, relationships, friends and love! But now I'm nineteen, my perspective on things are different. But listening to other artists and genres of music out there also inspire you to write something you wouldn't normally write about.' 

Although it is early days for the northern songstress, with such a memorable sound and personality, the name 'Katie Coleman' will become a whole lot more familiar on the music circuit. The positive work ethic and warm, unique vibes deems Katie ahead of her age but is also what makes her so likable as an artist.

Live Dates
10th February at Barfly, Camden (tickets £5)
13th February Proud Galleries (free entry on guest list - rsvp @ Adam@madamusic.com)

If your on Facebook and/or Twitter then visit her pages;
https://twitter.com/katie_coleman

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Coleman

Mutineers: A Live Review

As I walked towards the Islington last Friday night I was shaking despite the unseasonably warm weather. This was the first time I had been placed on a guestlist so I could review and than interview the headline act. I don't belong to any publication and I am fairly new to all of this. I was stupid to be so nervous though as everyone I met was the polar opposite of the indie hipster stereotype that I was so scared I would have to deal with.

The Mutineers were originally scheduled to play at the London Rattlesnake but due to complications, they had to be shifted to the The Islington. This than meant that the support acts also underwent a shift and artists that were not scheduled for the event warmed up the crowd. I entered the tiny side room where a handful of people lined the walls watching the first act. Unfortunately I was too late to catch her name but the crowd had fallen into a hushed trance with the beauty of this Cornish songstress' voice. Sat behind a keyboard was a petite blonde solo artist singing soft, melancholic ballads in minor key. As talented as she was however, I couldn't help but think that she had an air of snobbery about her due to the song she closed on. 'America' was a tale of how she wanted to leave her small Cornish town for the open spaces of the United States. Fair enough. However the lyrics suggested that she felt she was too good for the people of her hometown, with a lot of emphasis on teenage pregnancies and at one stage even suggested that the working class were happy with their lot, with her being the only one who wanted more. I don't deny how effortlessly she hit her notes and how beautifully she played the keyboard, but that final song did irk me! The next artist was extremely successful in entertaining the crowd. Nothing gets everyone singing and dancing more than a man with a ginger beard doing folk songs about whiskey (think Johnny Cash becoming a member of The Dubliners). Moment of mass confusion soon arose however when he dropped his guitar pick, let go off his guitar and the music continued! Wasn't this meant to be live music? Although I will give him the benefit of the doubt given that he was given his slot last minute.

The intimate venue was soon buzzing with a friendly, vibrant atmosphere which was a perfect fitting for when the Mutineers arrived on stage. Charles on bass, looked sharp as ever in a turtleneck jumper and jacket combo with Mallins looking effortless in a casual black shirt. Although each track on their debut album 'Friends, Lovers, Rivals' contains hooking riffs and catchy lyrics which means you're still singing along hours later, hearing it all in an energetic live performance deemed it even more infectious which I didn't think could be possible. What makes the Mutineers unique as a band is that although their songs are moody, the bass lines are always funky and the beat always danceable. Each member was in their own element within their respective talents, Mickey engrossed on his guitar riffs gave a kick of rock n roll attitude to each song whereas Mallins', so pure within his vocals, effortlessly conveyed the emotion. If I had to name one element of the performance which did much to impress me was the subtle vocal harmonizing as it demonstrated to me that this band were perfectionists in everything they do.

What makes the Mutineers special as a band is that they contain all the melodic moodiness which is typical of Manc bands but each member is so particular in their given roles that their talents combined results in songs that showcase the fact you don't need record companies to be a success.

After the show, I sat down with the lads for a quick Q&A. Unfortunately technology and me never seem to get along and as result my camcorder refused to work. I'm still working out how to upload the footage onto here but as soon as I can I will do so.

Mutineers Tell Me All About Their New Single, Give it A Listen Here!

Manchester has always contributed the hottest bands to the British music scene and the Mutineers are no exception to the rule. Their debut album,  Friends, Lovers, Rivals flourished on the underground scene due to the loyalty and word of mouth of their fan base.  The four Mancunian lads started out in 2010 and can add names such as Pete Doherty, Bad Lieutenant and Wintersleep to those who they have supported on tour.

The exciting news arrived today that a new single 'Tell Me Why' is to be released on Monday 23rd September and I was treated to a sneak peek to the single. Here the Mutineer lads tell me all we need to know about their upcoming single.

Summarize the single in 3 words

Mutineers: Upbeat/vibey/ Fresh

The lyrics to 'Tell Me Why' are quite haunting, is there a story or inspiration behind it?

Mutineers: It's a bit more imagery led than a lot of lyrics from the 1st album and some of it touches upon an interest in Greek mythology. Other than that, we prefer people to take what they like from the lyrics and form their own ideas. It keeps a certain level of mystique intact.

Compared to other tracks, 'Tell Me Why' has more of an electric dance vibe to it, does this mean you're moving in a new direction with your music?

Mutineers: The new album songs have a different vibe in that they're a bit more rhythmic and seem to be a little bit bouncier to get up and play life. The important thing for this record is that we've kept the melody at the forefront, which was the thing that made the 1st album so good. We've had our own studio set up which in some ways helps us experiment much more with our sound without having to check the clock.

Who will be your support act for your upcoming mini-tour?

Mutineers: We'll be playing 5 shows and there will be different support acts in every city. We've had a hand who is supporting on most of the shows. It's great for us to mix it up a bit - we get to watch some ace bands as well as play our own show. You should all check out Bison & Wolf who are opening for us in Manchester and Harriet Jones who's doing the London leg.


Be sure to check out 'Tell Me Why' and join the lads on one of these tour dates.

Warrington Friars Court - 12th October

Manchester Sound Control - 17th October

London Rattlesnake - 18th October

Glasgow Pivo Pivo - 2nd November

Leeds Cockpit - 16th November

                                                     

Exclusive Interview with Sean McGhee: Inspirations, Doctor Who and Same-Sex Marriage

Summer 2012 saw the emergence of an exciting music collaboration between Suede guitarist Richard Oakes and renowned music producer, songwriter and composer Sean McGhee. The duo took the form of Artmagic, creating songs which inspire and uplift the spirit. I had the pleasure of seeing Artmagic perform a discreet instore gig at Banquet Records last July with the simple set up of Oakes on his acoustic guitar and McGhee armed with nothing but his own vocal chords. Performing songs from their album 'Become The One You Love' was a perfect backdrop to the hazy, summer evening in Kingston Upon Thames. 

During the time between that summer's evening and the present day, Sean McGhee and I have exchanged a few jokes and opinions via twitter, so therefore a few days ago I plucked up the courage to ask him for a short interview, which he so kindly agreed to.
If you like what you've heard about Artmagic, then be sure to head over to their page now Click here

What was the first album which you owned?

I'm the youngest of a reasonably big family so even before I had any music of my own there were always albums and singles around the house. The two that I remember making the biggest impression were "Carrie" by Cliff Richard (which is still a tune-and-three-quarters) and "Games Without Frontiers" by Peter Gabriel, which casts such a long shadow over my musical development that it's hard to imagine my sonic landscape without it.

I can't remember specifically the first album I owned but it would have either been one of Abba's albums or "Speak And Spell by Depeche Mode. I asked for, and received, Abba's "Super Trouper" album for my fifth birthday but on cassette, not the vinyl I had hoped for. This happened again with Howard Jones's "Humans Lib" on my seventh birthday. You think I'd have let this go by now, wouldn't you? (I have them both on vinyl now. It was cheaper than therapy.)

Did this album leave a lasting impact on you?

Did it ever. Listening to Depeche Mode  was like being flung into a brash new technological world, as far removed from the granite houses and rainy farmland of  my childhood surroundings as you could get. And the same with Abba. If Mode promised a future of new sounds and electronic otherness, Abba offered a kind of child-friendly emotional complexity couched in perfect yet somehow exotic pop songwriting. I used to gaze at the credits on Abba albums and wonder, what's an engineer, what's a producer? Something in me needed to know, even then. And so, here I am.

With the closing of HMV, how do you feel the future looks for Record stores?

Well, HMV isn't gone yet, but let's face it, their panic-stricken attempts to work out what they should be doing as retailers over the last few years give some clues to why they've ended up like this. Are they a music shop, a DVD outlet, videogame retailer, secondhand merchant, hi-fi store...?  Nevertheless, they're the last bastion of music retail on the high street, so even if it's in a limited capacity, I genuinely hope they survive. When the Artmagic album came out, it was a source of great pride to us that HMV carried it, because with independent record shops also dwindling in number, where else is left for impulse purchases?

Having said that, Artmagic  did numerous instore performances last year at a host of excellent independent shops, and I made a point of saying at the end of each one, "buy our album please, but even if you don't, please don't leave without buying something, because stores like this are essential and you'll lose it if you don't use it." I genuinely love record shops, and hate to imagine a future without them. 

Summing up the future of music distribution is tough, though. Streaming is going to be a big part of it but a great record shop offers a kind of curatorship between the staff and the customers, making recommendations and bringing previously unheard music to the fore. I hope that kind of space will always exist, and I think the internet can't compete on that level. But they will only survive if we support them. And that means making an effort that may be beyond a lot of people who are used to the convenience of online shopping.


You work with a wide range of artists across different music genres, where do you find the inspiration to keep your work ‘fresh’? 

I listen to tons of music in tons of genres, especially ones I don't usually work in. And I try to leave room for improvisation when I work, and not get bogged down in theoretical questions. There's a thrill to diving into the unknown.  Also, a constant process of analysis and a hope to keep making better music.

Which artists/bands have caught your eye (ears) at the moment?

The new John Grant record, "Pale Green Ghosts", is a triumph - great to hear him taking a stylistic left turn but still retaining the love of melody and coruscating gallows humour that marked his previous work.

"Broadside" by Bellowhead, "Standing At The Sky's Edge" by Richard Hawley, "Ashore" by June Tabor, "Channel Orange" by Frank Ocean, "Awayland" by Villagers", "Mummer" by XTC and Now 83 have all been on heavy rotation of late. 
And one must not underestimate the power of Britney ("Scream And Shout"), Disclosure ("Latch", "White Noise") and Little Mix ("DNA").  

Not Jake Bugg, though. One Direction FTW.

What inspired you to embark upon the Artmagic project with Richard Oakes?

A desire to carve out a space to call my own, and to work with the most-underrated writer and guitarist of his generation.  He writes the most gorgeous chord changes; a troubled panorama of light and shade.  I can't help but respond to what he does. If Richard's music were a film, it would be "Magnolia". He's so good. It makes me chuckle to think that his 90s contemporaries ever thought they were in with a chance, really.  Not to mention the current generation of retromaniacal "indie". How I hate that word. It used to mean "independent" but nowadays it's too often a byword for relentlessly uninspiring British music in endless shades of brown.  This is why I'm so pleased that we have Everything Everything, Wild Beasts and Field Music carrying the torch for interesting guitar-based pop.

‘The Gift of Flight’ from your album ‘Become the One You Love’ was inspired by equal marriage. Do you think with the success so far of the equal marriage vote that there is new hope for the younger generation struggling to come to terms with their sexuality?

I hope so. I endured that particular struggle before civil partnerships, an equal age of consent or any sign of real equality, so it's hard for me to imagine how it would be to come out now. It seems like it might be easier but the world is still highly heteronormative. But at least now our equality is mostly enshrined in law. There's still a way to go, though. I look forward to the day when sexuality is no longer any kind of news - that's why the equal marriage vote means so much: separate but equal is no equality at all in the long run. 

Is there a second album from Artmagic on the cards?    

Most definitely, yes.

Lastly, as a Doctor Who fan, who is your favourite Doctor and why? 

Sylvester McCoy, I think. I love all of the Doctors but something about Sylvester's performance gives me a huge amount of pleasure.  The good Doctor comes up a lot so I worry that it seems like I watch little else, but there's plenty of other TV I love; Breaking Bad, Nurse Jackie, A Bit Of A Do, A Very Peculiar Practice, The West Wing and Friday Night Dinner have all been big hits round my way recently.  Mind you, I have to say that Doctor Who at its worst is usually more entertaining than most TV at its best.

Meeting Artmagic at Banquet Records. Sean McGhee second from left.

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