The Sound of the Future - Young Aviators

Hey there people,

what is to come is an amazing interview, with a band that are certainly something special please check them out.

Young Aviators

A band to who are

Going places.

Songs that are inspired by everyday life, and founded by a group of Irishman, who wanted to do something that was on the right side of the law, and wanting to increase their chances of “getting girls”, the Young Aviators are certainly ones to watch.

With an energy so raw and powerful that will, take over a room within an instant, requiring you to dance erratically like a teenager again, it is hard to see these guys not going places. If you like fast guitars, a bass beat that will get you bouncing and mesmerised and drum beats that will pierce your ears, then you need to have a listen. “Rabbit in a headlight” captures you from the opening

These guys grew up in Ireland, and have since moved to Scotland to further their music career, and show the Scots their witty banter. They previously have toured with the Subways then, a headline slot at the Captain’s rest in Glasgow. They are now returning to stampede venues across the nation, and gain more followers. If you only ever get one opportunity to see this band then do it they create fantastic funking anthems, which will certainly not disappoint. Below are a few words from the guys themselves.

1) Firstly how did you guys get together to form a band?
We started the band back when we were spotty, angst ridden teenagers. Growing up in a small Irish town meant that there wasn’t a whole lot for teenagers to do that wasn’t illegal, so music seemed like a healthy way to spend your time, which may also increase your chance of getting girls. We were roughly around 13 when we started jamming together in the basement of a local church.
 
2) What made you go from Ireland to Scotland?Primarily, University really. We took a year out to go on tour and concentrate on becoming a better band after our A-Levels, and after that was finished we all thought it would be a shame to split the band up, so we decided to go to Glasgow Uni together (also the only Uni that all three of us were excepted into). Plus, Scotland (much like Leeds) is good banter.
 
3) Markey, you have landed a part in a film. How did that come about?I did some things that I’m not particularly proud of to obtain that role. The film is called World War Z, starring Brad Pitt…and myself. Look out for the awkward bearded guy being chased by Zombies across the streets of Philadelphia wearing a suit and walking like John Wayne.

4) You recently toured with The Subways, and are now featuring on their up and coming tour. How did you find the last tour?The last tour was amazing! It was our first proper U.K tour and we felt like it was a success!! Obviously, no one knows who we are and we don’t have any singles out, so it was a real challenge to try and get people on your side in what was usually a 30minute set. 
 
5) For the people who have not heard of your music can you explain the style and what they would expect if they came to see you? Mmmh, the dreaded question. I would like to think they’d expect to be impressed on some level, even if they weren’t a fan of our genre. We’re upbeat, with plenty of harmonies, quite heavy at times and quiet at others…I guess they’d have to come and see us to make up their minds.

6) Who are your main influences that have given you the passion to be where you guys want to be? We all have varying influences, and our shared influences have obviously changed over the years. I’d say quality modern three-piece groups have always inspired us, bands with three members, who are louder and more impressive than bands with 5 or 6 members. Bands like Muse, The Subways, Green Day, BRMC& The Vines (when they were a three-piece), The Jam Etc…
 

7) Dead or alive who would you put into your super group?Awesome question!!! Right, on drums it has to be (drum roll please) Dave Grohl. On bass Guitar Chris Wolstenholme from Muse. On guitar, Paul Weller, and on vocals Freddy Mercury. What a band that would be.

8) What gives you the creative inspiration to make music?A hard question to answer without sounding pretentious. Everyday life is usually the inspiration, though most of our songs at the moment ‘False Education’, ‘Life in the Front Seat’ etc, are about being a young person in the 21st century, how things are all messed up and fast moving and jobless.
 
9) Can we have 3 facts on each of you so that new fans know a little about you?
Decky: I never travel in lifts by myself. I was born in Manchester. I really love Football.
Markey: I have a webbed finger. I have been a nude model and worked in the Disney Store. I’m a grade 8 tuba player.
Kyle: I am a male model. I only wear y-fronts. I’m terrified of commitment.
 
10) What has been the best gig you have played so far?
We played a gig at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds supporting The Subways this summer, which was a great show!! The crowd was awesome and at points it almost felt like a home town show.
 
11) You combine a bit of audience comedy banter when you play live, is this something that happens natural or is it something you make a point of doing?
We certainly don’t make a point of doing it, that would be detrimental to the purity of the banter. It arose originally though nerves in-between songs, we like it when crowds heckle us, its their way of getting involved and from growing up in Ireland we’re more than capable of giving it back. It makes the gig more honest and less pretentious, which is something we like.

12) What have the next few months have got in store for the Young Aviators?
We are hopefully going back out on tour this October, also doing some recording, writing new material and playing a host of Glasgow shows. Keeping busy, and trying to stay sober.
 

Little bands do matter

Hello everyone,

wow 2 blogs in one day this won't happen that much. this topic is something that I have been thinking of for a while. As my blog is mainly about music this is something that means alot to me. without supporting local bands we will end up with the same music just a different day. So please read and enjoy.

Little bands are

What matter

So with everyone moaning about the line up of Leeds fest, I for one think it is a fantastic one. I love the fact Muse are headlining the Friday night. Although I would prefer them to close it, but hey I am not going to complain, they are playing and that is all that counts. Upon first look at the main stage it is a bit weak but when you delve in to all the other stages you are in for a real treat.

The people who are moaning and complaining clearly have not heard the new and exciting debut album from Mona, the fantastic debut from Frankie and the heartstrings and not to mention the first solo album of Miles Kane, which is out of this world. All of these new albums and bands that are coming out are, our future headline acts at festivals. Muse had to start at the bottom and work their way up, so did Pulp, Coldplay and look how Oasis started out, yes once they were noticed they were catapulted to stardom, but before then little places small stages. All these big bands had to start somewhere, and these are what the smaller tents are for to build these acts up and get them bigger audiences. I will be the first to admit some bands just can’t hack it on the main stages. It is sad to see and even to say they just don’t have the material yet to make it. Notice how I said yet.

You will find that the average music fan does become out of tune with what is new and out in world at the moment. It does cost a lot of money to keep in touch, there is the constant release of new albums, and then there is the tour to follow and then magazines so you can find all of these exciting new things. The one thing that a true music fan will always do (even if they do get out of touch) is go and see the various stages at a festival, or even see the support acts at a gig, of their favorite this band. This way you are getting out there and seeing the new exciting things that are happening, in the music world.

This was evident for me when I recently went to see, The subways at Leeds. We were there just in time to see one of the best support acts I have seen in a while. This band were called Young Aviators, these guys certainly got the crowd going for the main act (who were also amazing). They had a presence on stage that I have not seen in a while from a 3 piece band. They were interacting with the crowd as if they were playing a home crowd, and even brought an onlooker to the stage to become their dancer. It is these attributes of a band that will see these guys go far and accomplish things within the music world, which others will not. Most people that night found that these Irish wonders were an incredible act and couldn’t wait to see more.

So for the people who seem to just sit in the main arena of festivals, to just go see the main headline act, and not experience the full essence of what bands are like before they get to that main stage headlining slot, do not complain about the line up being “crap” or that it’s “same line up again”. If you do not like it then simply do not go. You can not argue that ticket prices are extortionate when you only aim to go to see 3 bands out of the entire weekend, when there are all these little gems hidden away, for you to find and experience. A festival ticket on average costs £200 you break this down over the 3 days and see the little bands you will get your moneys worth. More often than not also the small stages have the better crowds who make the gig even better.

Next time you’re at a gig and you think I will have one more beer, the headline isn’t on until 9, think again and go see the small bands. You will soon see what you are missing out on. These gems are the ones that will be shaping our musical future and the way we listen to music. Don’t get stuck with the old, keep experiencing new things. Music is a wonderful tool that can be appreciated in many ways. These little bands are what are creating the new innovative sounds; you won’t find people like Coldplay changing. They will stick to the Radiohead era for as long as they can (and no I am not slating Radiohead, but they are depressing). Same with the likes of U2 they won’t change, same album time and time again, it gets tiring. So get out there and enjoy your local band, because there will be one rehearsing like mad, just to play that small stage, keep that in mind when you see one of them.     

An Interview with one of my favourite bands of all time.

Hello everyone,

Earlier today i conducted an online interview with Charlotte Cooper from the Subways. This band are one of my favourite bands. I have loved them for nearly 6 years. I sent an email off, with very little hope that anybody would get back to me, and I was wrong. To interview this band was a dream come true and also shows that if you work hard and take risks then dreams become reality. so please enjoy the interview as much as i did.

1. You have a small intimate tour coming up, how does it feel to be back on the road again after so long?We're so excited to be playing gigs again! We've really missed being onstage; it's where we feel we belong.

 

2. Where is the best place you have played a gig and why?

I always find the shows in more obscure places fun to play, because you get a really different experience. One festival in the middle of a forest in Czech Republic springs to mind. It was really dark and not many people knew us, but as the set went on, it got crazier and crazier! It felt like we were hidden in the forest!

 

3. If you could make up your own super group who would you have in it? Dead or alive.Oooh difficult question! I'd like to be in it (because it sounds like loads of fun!)....so me on bass, Taylor Hawkins on drums, Charlotte Hatherley on guitar and PJ Harvey as front woman.

 

4. Well done for completeing the London marathon. How did you find time to train for that whilst having all your other projects to still do?I'm naturally an early riser; my favourite time to run is sunrise, so it wasn't too hard to fit in the training. A lot of my training was done while we were recording the third album. We were staying in a B&B only 1 mile from the Thames. It was absolutely stunning running along the Thames path every morning. The best day, was when it snowed, Billy was with me and we were like little kids jumping in the snow! I just had to say no to another glass of wine a few times...that was quite hard ;)

 

5. If you could learn any instrument what would it be?I'd love to play the double bass or cello. I think both sound beautiful.

 

6. How have you found recording your 3rd album compared to the previous 2?I felt a lot more confident in the studio this time round, which I think is mainly a sign of being a bit older now. We've been so lucky to work with three amazing producers in Ian Broudie, Butch Vig and now Stephen Street. All quite different studio experiences but all equally as rewarding. Working with Stephen was amazing - he's obviously a very talented producer but also a really cool person to hang out with.

 

7. What is your favourite song to play live and why?I love the reaction to "I want to hear what you've got to say". Everyone sings it with such passion!

 

8. Where has inspiration come form for the new album?Music wise, I think we've kind of combined the first and second albums; the pop melodies from the first, with the heavier more energetic feel from the second. 

 

9. Out of the places that you are visiting onthe upcoming tour, where are you looking forward to playing the most?The most difficult question so far! I'm excited for it all :-)

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I'd like to think we'll be on tour in support of the 4th album. When I think we released Young For Eternity 6 years ago, a lot can happen in 5 years! Maybe we'll be on album number 5!

 

Thank you for taking the time to interview me, Rochelle. See you in Leeds! Love Charlotte x