May 20, 2025 • 33 mins
From Mexborough to the Main Stage: The Sam Scherdel Story
In this episode of Sounds From The Dockside, Yorkshire-based singer-songwriter Sam Scherdel shares his journey from a young music enthusiast in Mexborough to an emerging star in the UK music scene. We explore his early influences, the transition from a stable career as a building surveyor to pursuing music full-time, and the creative processes behind his songwriting. Sam also discusses the dynamics of live performances, offers insights into the current music landscape, and emphasizes the importance of self-confidence and investment in one's craft.This episode is sponsored by DocksFest—North East Lincolnshire's premier live music festival—taking place on Saturday, 5th July 2025, at the Meridian Showground in Cleethorpes. The festival boasts an impressive line-up, including:
In this episode of Sounds From The Dockside, Yorkshire-based singer-songwriter Sam Scherdel shares his journey from a young music enthusiast in Mexborough to an emerging star in the UK music scene. We explore his early influences, the transition from a stable career as a building surveyor to pursuing music full-time, and the creative processes behind his songwriting. Sam also discusses the dynamics of live performances, offers insights into the current music landscape, and emphasizes the importance of self-confidence and investment in one's craft.This episode is sponsored by DocksFest—North East Lincolnshire's premier live music festival—taking place on Saturday, 5th July 2025, at the Meridian Showground in Cleethorpes. The festival boasts an impressive line-up, including:
- The Charlatans
Renowned for hits like "The Only One I Know" and "North Country Boy," The Charlatans have cemented their place as one of the UK's most beloved bands. - Ash
This Northern Irish pop-punk band, known for singles such as "Girl From Mars" and "Shining Light," brings their energetic performance to the DocksFest stage. - Maximo Park
With a catalogue including "Apply Some Pressure" and "Books From Boxes," Maximo Park delivers their distinctive alternative rock sound. - Corella
Manchester-based indie-pop band Corella, featuring Immingham's own Joel Smith, offers tropical tones and emotive lyricism. - Coach Party
Hailing from the Isle of Wight, Coach Party blends grunge-pop with witty lyrics, drawing inspiration from bands like Nirvana and Wolf Alice. - EVER
A high-energy alt-rock band from Cleethorpes, EVER has gained a strong fanbase and are tipped for big things. - Last of the Wonder Kids
Grimsby's own, this band mixes fuzzy melodies and garage psych riffs, celebrated for their high-energy live shows.
- Instagram: @‌soundsfromthedockside
- Facebook: @‌soundsfromthedockside
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We started bands when we were sort of twelve thirteen.
We were dreadful, as there's always are and die age.
But I can remember I was actually in a band
with I came from the horizon.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Oh right, okay. He went to my second yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Years older, and what he expressed the interesting issue and
he played back around grabbing a ras with Matt with
Mum's house.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Within that time, I were a building surrena as well.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
It's not like I weren't doing music, but I was
doing music for the wrong reason, not playing bars, and
I mean, we're only quite.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
A lot of money just playing covers.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
I can't and I tell people now I used to
do a covers gig and I had this kind of
depression after it. Music was always something that ran back to.
I think even I had feared away from it. Within
the line, I've always gone back to it, and I
think I've accepted now it's got to be a part
(00:52):
part of the existence, and if it's.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Not, I'm not gonna be happy.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
That's what I would forward to this one mate, me too.
For those listening at home, today's guest has been making
huge waves in the music scene since twenty twenty two.
You might have seen him at Glastonbury last year or
more recently on tour with Chesney Hawk good Man.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Well, that were good. That were memorable, really memorable.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
It's been branded South Yorkshires Springsteen and I can't wait
to get into it. So welcome Sam. How's it going.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
It's good. I'm good mate, Yeah, good to be good.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
So straight into it. I read in an article that
your mum used to play Springsteen's songs around the house
when he was growing up.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
She did, Yeah, among some of the things that Springsteen
ari David Bowie. The Springsteen thing came from a song
that I put out in twenty twenty three, a song
called Balloon and it's still one that we played live
and still one that fans really want.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Joe Borne to run, I believe.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yeah. Well, I said that in an interview Bait. It
was like the instrumentation on it and stuff.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
There were references, but do you know what I mean,
It wasn't as obvious as as you'd think. But yeah,
and from that, that's where that kind of came from.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
And I'm just running, you know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Yeah, take us back to the start painting a picture
for us because you're from Sheffield.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Originally, I yea from a town called Mexborough, which is
sort of in between Doncaster and Sheffield.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Yeah, it's a JUNI in Sheffield.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Started doing a lot of open mice and gigs in
Sheffield in my twenties, but then it kind of teared
off and I was always kind of based Sheffield.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Yeah, let's take it back before the music, So try
and paint a picture for us. What was it like
growing up in Export in the night's ice shame?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Yeah, mexper is. I still like to visit my It's
full of characters, do you know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Work? It's a working class town, some great pubs in
XPRA and I still like visiting.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Like I said, I've still got a lot of family
here as well. And yeah, I mean pretty normal.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
There were there were no nothing really stood out as
really different from a normal working class bring back.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Can remember when I got secondary school.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
I never really enjoyed secondary school and if anyone ever
asked me about second school, it's never a particularly happy
point in my life.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
But what I can.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Remember about secondary schoolers there were a youth club in
Mexpra and within that youth club some guys who were
working there and built a recording studio, and I can
remember just wanting to finish school and get to that
recording studio. And we started bands when we were sort
of twelve thirteen. We were dreadful, as as you always
are a die age. But I can remember I was
(03:56):
actually in a band with Marke Keane from the Horizon. Okay,
but he went to my second three years older than
he expressed the interesting issue and he played back around
grabbing with Matt my mum's house in Mountain Street and Mexboro. Yeah,
I think I must have been twelve Matt fourteen. We
were in a band called S. He's obviously going on
(04:19):
to do spectacular things.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Well, you're well on your way as well. So was
your mom and dad both there growing up.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
No, I grew up with my mum. Yeah, yeah, I
still see. There were no animosity between wom and dad.
They were all that broke ron.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Yeah, really close to my dad and his partner. And yeah,
It's music was always something that ran back to, and
I think even tried to feel away from it within
the life. I've always gone back to it, and I
think I've accepted now it's got to be a part
part of the existence and if it's not, I'm not
(04:58):
going to be happy.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
I need I need to be around it.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
So you know, growing up listening to Bowie and listening
to things like Springsteen, what what was the catalyst for
you actually thinking I want I want to pick up
an instrument. I want to start learning and singing for
that matter as well.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
I mean, while my mum did play them records, that
wasn't the kind of stuff that was into, Like do
you remember first I grew up and my friends at
school we were into like metal and grunge and things
like that. And I can remember turning into an hosted
teenage thirteen twelteen, and you know K Cobaine speaks to
(05:36):
with teenagers, do you.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (05:39):
And it was it was the Vanna And I think
because when you listen to Navana and you are accessible
riffs and things, they're pretty easy to pick up.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And I was.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
I was self taught on self talk and guitar, and
that's self talk and piano as well. But of course
of the rifts and stuff with that access, yeah, easy
to learn it kind of it won't be along and.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Give me the encouragement to carry on. I wouldn't say I'm.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
A particularly good, particularly skilled guitarist or pianist, but I
can do enough.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
To get by.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Yeah, so you needn't look that's it.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
And my writing comes from a place of melody and
really basic chords, to be honest with you.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
And yeah, it's the Barns, just basic, basic.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
And it resonated with a lot of people. I wonder
if it's because you know that Seattle grunge, like it
rains a lot in Seattle. Yeah, and I wonder if
some of that, if it resonates with us, particularly up
here and the not off Like, I wonder if there's
an element of that, you know, it's like it's like
especially in the lyrics.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
I'm right now, there's like a determination and stuff that
you could that you can hear in the our vocals
are delivered and the lyrics and stuff like that, like
not going to give in kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
We've been to cheese and I suppose it was back
to the the broke Springsteen kind of ibe as well,
do you know what I mean? He's from that working
class we'll call the background. Yeah, definitely, there's links. There's
always links within music. Definitely.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
It was brilliant songwriter and I love Springsteen grown up? Yeah,
I thought it was great. So before committing to music,
I read that you as a building surveyor. And if
I'm right, it was twenty twenty two, wasn't it when
you decided he was going to sort of launch a
music career, wasn't it?
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Am I right? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (07:28):
What happened there? Because that correct me? If I'm wrong,
that's considered quite a good job. Isn't it quite quite
a lucrative job? So what what's you know? What? What
was the catalyst for that? What made you think? Fuck race,
I'm going to jump into music head first because it
was clearly the right decision, and you must have done
it with some sort.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Of Yeah, there were a lot of moving parts to
that decision. But I think when I left school it
was sort of sixteen seventeen.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
We kicked out of six form.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
So I went to music college first.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
I went to.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Our captain Rotherham Premire arise On th as well Mail
were in the class next to me as well from
the Horizon, and yeah, I can't I.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Never really got on with it, but I did learn
some fundamentals and pop music.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
In that one year that I was there. I dropped
out I had no direction.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
And working as a roof for laborer for a couple
of years from my uncle decided that I had a
bit of brain on my head and he kind of
put me from college course and I kind of just
fell into the surveyed. It weren't weren't decision that one. Yeah,
I got offered a job that were about twenty grand
(08:40):
or twenty years old, and I felt Donald Trump, you.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
Know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
But it was but yeah, I kind of fell into
it and then had when I put my mind to
something I've always seemed to do, you know what I mean,
If I do by myself to it, I can. I
did quite in that company, but I did it for
about ten years and then I think a couple of
emotions and then they turn around one day and said
(09:07):
you're getting London.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Some big fu. Yeah. And there were a few things
happening in.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
My personal life that worked great, and I just COVID
happened as well, so that you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
They were, like I said, there were a lot of
moving parts and.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Came to a head, all boiled up to a head.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
That's it.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
And it's like within that time I were a building
surrea as well, it's not like I weren't doing music,
but I was doing music for the wrong reason. Were
not playing bars, And yeah, I mean, we're only quite
a lot of money just playing covers. I can't And
I tell people now, I used to do a covers
gig and I had this kind of depression after.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
It just felt wrong.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
With selling yourself.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
It felt awful, and it felt I mean, it was
great that.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
I mean, I invested some of that money quite wisely,
which has helped me out big time. Now do you
know what I mean in terms of musician is not cheap?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Do you know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (10:02):
And tell me about the nut I invest. I invest
that wise then it's it's allowed me to do do
you know what I mean? Spend the money properly, spend
the money on proper producers, and give the music. Because
if you if you're going to do your music, people
have been watched I be spending your money. Your music
is the first thing.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
You need to spend. Yeah, It's like I.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Was speaking to a band the other day and they said, well,
how much I'll be spending on a single, And they
told me, figure, that's just you're not going to get
anywhere with that do you know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (10:32):
It's like, if your songs are that good, invested the
money in them. Yeah, do you know what I mean? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Well, I'm in the studio next week. Well this this
week is starting Saturday at Chapel Studios. Great players can't
wait to go. We're paying five grand. We've got five
days there. But obviously some of that's going to be
for mixing time.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
And you've got to work with producers as well.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
It's like you can go to a studio and you
compare to hundred and fifty quick and you can work
with an engineer, but an engineer is not a producer.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Do you know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Yeah, you need to have a producer in there. My
music really started to get better when I had someday
to bounce off music.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
You locked in with the producer.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
Now.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Then I worked with.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
The last ep, I worked with two different producers. So
there's tracks by two different producers and I built really
good relationships to them both. The one that I'm working with,
which might touch on later on, is I'm working with
a producer in the Sheffield from June and.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
So I'm going to see how that goes. It's a
really big opportunity for us. So I'm really.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
See your single balloon touched on it earlier. I'm all
right and thinking the brass section was recorded over in Nashville. Yes,
how did that come about?
Speaker 2 (11:51):
So?
Speaker 1 (11:54):
As I just mentioned so in COVID when just before
I'm kind of planning this this.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Released campaign and to start releasing me on music.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
In twenty seventeen, I went to a studio called steel
Works in Sheffield and working with guy called Dada Thompson.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
He wed a band called Alvareskings and they did really
well in America and.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
He moved He met a girl and he moved out there,
but aid him with the first guy that felt really
comfortable working in.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
The studio with.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
And I'd always had like a basic set up at
home with many keyboard and some basic microphones and stuff.
And I sent him a song one day and I said,
what can you do with this? If I record everything
with my own studio, send it you. What can you do?
And he sent me back. First track we did with
a track called Early Morning Rain, which is on Spotify.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
And yeah, then we did that with basic.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
Mida drums, so we didn't have a real drummer on that,
which is Sacril and looking back, I shouldn't put but
I did.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
I can't tell you.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Some of the pro some of the programers now are
they are saying, yeah, they are genuinely insane. What what
you can get now? But so we did that, and
then obviously I was planned. I think I released three
songs in twenty twenty two.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
It we're all.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Just dipping my toy war and seeing what worked, seeing
what didn't and putting stuff online, and advice started get
to anyone that is just starting out is just put
something out.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
I sat on songs for twelve years thinking this, yeah, this.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
And as soon as I did want to like that
way hour off, an hour away.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
And that's the best, definitely the best bit of advice.
Don't be scared and just put it out. If it's ship,
you can put something else out, do you know.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Yeah, you learn from your mistakes and put the band
always turned to me in the same I love that
song and I just.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Look at settlist. I don't like that. But yeah balloon, Yeah,
I've lost the tray of the phone now.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Sorry, I was just going to get onto what what
was the sort of at first? That's about how did
the brass section think, Oh, yeah, I was just going
to ask more more in general, how did that song about,
what was the what was the process for writing that song,
Where did it come from? That Was it something you'd
been sat on for a while.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Or that one came quite quick? And yeah, we're in
a bit of a dark place in my life at
that time.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
And the line let me float away, there's like references
to to a signing there and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
That song is called Bloom float Away and whatnot, and
it's pause with a really.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
Happy song, but it's like, yeah, two different fever and
concurrently you've got the happy music and the really sadlyrics, and.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Yeah, I've always liked that song. When we play that
song live, it's.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
I remember when we're doing the brass section, so I
could actually see the brass being recorded, so that the
video in it at the same time like on a
live stream were it were awesome. But yeah, the drums
were done in Nashville and the brass were done.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Yeah, yeah, Would you like to do any more clubs
like that in the future moving forward?
Speaker 1 (15:17):
I would, But I mean, I'm slowly touched with Aid
and I always will always be a dear friend of mine.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Because how much you helped me, and I almost believing
when I first.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Starting out, But I don't know. It's I like to
be in a room with somebody having an argument with
somebody about that, do you know what I mean? And
I think that a good you should be looking on with. Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
There should be some friction, some healthy friction.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
You do you do you like the process of recording?
Enjoy fat because I really enjoy it, you know. I
enjoy all the elements writing a song, performed a song,
recording a song. But there's something about really sitting down
with something and trying different guitars on certain parts and
different effects and really hashing out with your mates. Is
(16:06):
something really, really really cathartic about that, isn't I?
Speaker 2 (16:09):
It is?
Speaker 1 (16:09):
And it's kind of I love the writing process just
as much as the recording. I mean, I still do
exactly what I did. Whereas I'll put the full kind
of song together. Part of the drums, I'll play the pianos,
maybe arrange from strings, I'll play the guitars. I'll put
a basic ball down and then I'll take you to
a producer who I can hope well mm hmm, bring
(16:32):
it more to life. Yeah, yeah, it's I love both processors.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
I mean, been doing it Today's Sheffield is Yeah, that's
what I live for definitely.
Speaker 3 (17:00):
So in one of your songs, boy you Fell to
Earth a tribute to your son, I believe, isn't that?
So the showcase is a more introspective side of your song, right,
And so how do you like to use things like
fatherhood and other experiences in your life to shape your song?
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Right?
Speaker 1 (17:18):
And it's the only song that I've done, And well,
it were actually we were going to aiding or mentioning.
That were the I suppose I did try and launch
the career once in twenty seventeen, but I never really
had the right I don't know the directions stuff, and
he never really got off Brown.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
But that blueprint for it kind of thing, I'll tell
you what it were.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
We started a band and we went out of Sam
Strong and the Fix, and it kind of made the
mistake of doing it with people who are really close
with and yeah, it didn't work because I were too
familiar with the band and stuff like that, and he
kind of just fizzled out and death. But that boyl
Fell to work for a track from those kind of
(18:04):
sessions written very very quickly. It's got some lovely chords
in there.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
I couldn't tell you what they are, but I know
how to play one with.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Do you prefer being sort of the leader of a band?
Do you, like you said you with some of your songwriting,
You'll map everything out and then take it to the producer.
Is that how you kind of prefer working? You couldn't
see yourself as somebody front of the band. It's more
Sam and his band? Is that?
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Yeah? Sounding like a complete blanky.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Yeah, Yeah, it's how it is for some people. Yes,
it's how it is, and it works for some people
like it. My singer turn out and said, I want
to be the leader of this band. It wouldn't work
because we've not set up in that context. But someone
like yourself, you're the singer songwriter at the end of
the day there, and it's it's up to you how
you put your songs out.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
I do do a lot of the work initially, so
it's well.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
I bill particularly now extremely good and competent set of
musicians around. But I think that there's a couple of
the band that do like to be involved in the
sessions as a couple that aren't really that particularly well,
but that's not a bad things, you know what I mean? Yeah,
that just happened to live. But we had some Yeah,
(19:22):
we've had some good we had. The last time we
did three of us went down. We went out to
Brighton and if we danced in Celebration studios.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Great, great chain them. Yes, yeah, that came out in February,
just about to release.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
I like the video as well. I like that sort
of no is camera style.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Yeah, yeah, it's good, good track, made good track. I'll
link it in the comments, thank you very much.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Yeah, so it's yeah lost trailer four again.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Saying you just went to Brighten if we danced.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
Yeah, so yes, so sorry with a with a band
there and the band had a particularly little coming guitar,
a lot of involvement. You met up the guitar solo
to that track basically from the spot as well. It
just came out and home and I think he had
an idea for a part that's coming from working with
a good producer while working with God Modern.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
It was what we added a Rubbert plant, So do
you know what I mean? He's got a good solid
c B.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
And yeah, it's inspiring to be around people like that,
and they had some amazing gear in Salvation Studios and
some proper good gear.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:25):
Yeah, well there's there's a banned local tow here that
they actually did the first podcast of mine called kid Spirit,
and they went down and did recorded a livp a Salvation.
Really it sounded incredible. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've not been sprying.
I'm off myself in May for the first time. So yeah,
looking forward to going down there.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
I'm looking forward to leave him. By the time I'd
been there three days. It's really it's a bit too crazy,
is there really a souh?
Speaker 1 (20:57):
So?
Speaker 3 (20:58):
I mean in a short time since you've been going,
you've you've done some impressive stuff, you know, I mean
off the top of my head. You've played Revenue Makers,
two Door Cinema Club, you did two to two sets
of Glasgow last year the Leadmill as well. You sold
out the Leadmill didn't, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
Only the small room.
Speaker 3 (21:17):
Well, but anyway, what you know, obviously, growing up in
that area must feel pretty mad, going from a you know,
attending gigs at the Lead Mell. And you went to
Glastonbury as well when he was younger, I believed didn't.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
I went went to Glastombury every single year by one
from when ill fourteen.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Were fourteen.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
The first time they went and they don't I'd missed
one year and yeah too, sorry, do you want to start?
Speaker 3 (21:47):
Happened to carry on?
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Yeah, so I have been every year since we were fourteen,
and that was a particularly like class moment to go
down there and play. I only did a couple of
solo cool success, but we did the We did some
stuff for the official radio station and stuff like that,
and it yeah, it's uh, it just maybe one more.
(22:09):
You have these things and then it's like, well I
want to do that again. I want rest on your laurels.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
Yeah, for their moments. So as a musician, oh yeah,
I've said it a couple of times on the podcast.
But last year played at Bellogiraum Festival in Scotland, which
is like their their Glastonbury, and we had triple A
passes so it was just go where every want, you know,
and the Futuredes was playing and I just went and
watched them from the stage side stage. Just little moments
like that. As a musician you think this is what
(22:37):
it's all for. Just just random little bits like that,
and it meeting different people, and.
Speaker 1 (22:42):
The first time we did that that were at Ocean
Color Scene last year and yeah, we had a bit
too much to drink, but like we would do you
know what I mean, stood next to Seed Craddock and
it were Yeah, it were crazy. Yeah, that were another Yeah,
there's been were just what we want to be out
there playing and meeting people, do you know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (23:00):
This is what we this is what we love.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
What we've got coming up, what you know, gigs in
the their future people look forward to.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Kind of just finished the tour cycle that so it's
going to be we're going to be announcing another tour
in for September straw October, and that'll be getting announced
pretty soon. We've got a couple of festivals that we're
doing this year, but this summer's kind of focused on
getting this next TP ready to.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Get in chip shape and starting doing well.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
As I started doing the pre production signary hour in
Rassels all through May and then in the studio in
June and then hopefully start releasing that.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
We only look in September. Yeah, that tour.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
Starts if you need, if you need a band to
support the tour, mate, But I mean I feel like
the music scenes thriving at the moment. I really think
it is particularly like in Yorkshire as well. Bands like
the Ratings absolutely smashing it. Bands like The Rose and
Arcs doing really well. What's your perception on music at
(24:09):
the moment, particularly guitar Gjohn were sitting But.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Yeah, it's it's very healthy. But none of these guys
are doing well. We are rafting extremely are It's like
you look at tet the Ross for example. I mean
they started, they've been going, I've been wrong, but it's
twenty seventeen and they've had that resilience to keep.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Going and keep going.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
And I think that finally, all these years later, having
that little break through, I think he came a bit
quicker for the ratings. You've got to respect everything they've
done with the marketing and stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Great that John Fry videos.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
Yeah, yes, so I went to Hour in the Gym
where the film that.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Yeah, and we've got a mutual friend called Jimmy Arrington.
Yeah when we released I want to and dropped around.
But yeah, it's uh yeah, the none it's come out
hard work, but it's all come from that diy Ethos
as well. No one's needed labels, and if you do
(25:14):
it right and you look after your fans, you're going
to remember. Your fans are the ones and reason that
you're there, you know what I mean. And yeah, they've
done it really well. Just then there's lords doing it
really well. But the ratings are the Kings.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
The way they've managed to create a fan base, like
people would die on the it's hard to do that.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
And I've seen I've seen footage from the European tour
and it's like, I know, we know a lot of
the same people. And I told a lot of friends
on when we're all traveling to Paris and traveling around Europe, and.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
I played I played at the New a Delphie last
month for some mets Venu. Yeah, there's an old day.
It was really good, like called ellis more put on
shout nice. But the Rosados was on that actually they
closed out, but there was a group of people there.
(26:16):
There was a couple of them was from Grimsby who
kind of know of you know, but they was there
with this big group and they've been following the ratings round.
I mean, yeah, yeah, and I think I think last
week or something that was off like two dates in
your rope, you know, looking crazy, and people traveled following everywhere.
It's emerging artists at them inte that you really like you,
you've got your eye on.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
I really like, really like Pablo from all.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Yeah, Pablo is good, and yeah, I've.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
Known I on my radar.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
Last year I did an acoustic gig and I can
always remember saying to him I did that. We did
a lot of gigs early last year and then I
went out with an acoustic and I did some like
small bar gigs and has Pablo to support me. He
turned up fucking late and I can't be doing this,
like you need to put your ideas up.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
And you know, I think he's I think he's working.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Were listening to you and but I think he's been
in studio with I think he's been in with Miles
from the Ross as well, and really like Well it's
single that he put out, it's far too fucking long,
but it's it's excellent. It's an excellent song. But I
did tell him that it's a great song. It's just
too many is too long.
Speaker 3 (27:28):
But yeah, I've not heard it. But live he likes
to do. He uses loops and drum machine and things
like that he excited that to the single because I
think he was doing some full band stuff.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Yeah that the single is a bit more full band.
It's called somewher Else.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
It's a really really great song, really cracking song, and
we're actually supporting him, you know, because he's doing like
a big Yeah what.
Speaker 2 (27:59):
Is it social?
Speaker 1 (28:00):
So yeah, that's it. Yeah, so the PUS is made
support to that. But that would be great. Look that
we played We supported CVC at that social the week
and it's a great.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
Good venue in it. Yeah, yeah, I've played it. I
don't know if they're still doing them there, but you
know Dann and Mac from the Sash. Yeah, they was
doing point on gigs at the Social one time, but
I don't know if they still are. Maybe under the.
Speaker 1 (28:23):
Under occasionally they're doing Polar Bear as well.
Speaker 3 (28:28):
Is fantastic and it's.
Speaker 1 (28:30):
The favorite place that we played on tour. The whole
crowd it's yeah, that seem to love us. Seem to
get a better response more than in South Yorkshire. But
I don't know why that is.
Speaker 3 (28:42):
But yeah, yeah they've done something especially it's full on
a Tuesday and it really is full. But you know,
reflecting on your journey from a self self taught guitarist
and musician to playing at Glastonbury and tram lines and
ship mate, like, what, what's some pivotal essense? You know
some things that really stand out from that from the
(29:03):
journey or is that you could share with the listeners.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
I think I touched on it earlier, but definitely just
having that bravery to put someone out and most part
people are quite kind and forgiving, do you know what
I mean, It's like they know that you're bearing your
soul online. You do get the old dickhead like putting
some knaf comments and stuff like that, but just having
(29:29):
that bravery and belief in yourself, that's that's the main
lesson I think. And once you get over that hurdle,
you'll find some kind of confidence that builds inside you.
And that that happened particularly with me definitely. But and
another lesson is you've got to treat it, got to
treat it seriously. I mean, when we when we first
started and we were first playing some gigs in bars
(29:52):
and stuff like that, we used to get absolutely before
gigs and stuffly and you can't do that. We don't
do that anymore. It's you've got to be you've got
to be on it. You've got to bring your air game.
And particularly for me my singing style as well.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
I can't. I can't play gigs drunk, do you know
what I mean? Yeah, it doesn't work. I got to
be on it. And you've got to apply that to everything.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
And yeah, we've probably learned that the hard way, but
you've got to enjoy, enjoy yourself after the gig.
Speaker 2 (30:25):
That's yeah, definitely, Yeah, you're dead right.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
I mean everyone's done. I'm there and played some people
that really works.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
It does, and I think you've got that punky kind
of that punk kinder edge and stuff like that. I'll
be able to you'll get you'll get away with it,
but kind of stuff that it's kind of I like
to be polished, you know what I mean. I like
the music to be polished. I like the live show
to be polished. And yeah, can't be getting it popped
(30:58):
out your face?
Speaker 2 (30:59):
Yeah, do you know?
Speaker 3 (31:00):
Yeah? On the part brilliant mate. So what what can
people look forward to in terms of release? She said?
The EP is coming out later on in the So
what what sort of time scale on that.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
Well, we've got a single that we're going to put
out first weekend in July, but that's not part of
the it. That's kind of just we need to put
we want to put some music out. I tried to
keep some music rolling out there every two or three
months and still sat on a lot. But we're going
in where rich and All his producer Colin Elliott.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
Yellow Arch in Sheffield.
Speaker 1 (31:38):
Renowned studios, going in there in June, and yeah, that's
what we're rehearsing for in May.
Speaker 2 (31:45):
We're basically going to get everything mapped out Polish.
Speaker 1 (31:47):
So we can be in and out of that studio
quite quite rappid and really looking forward to that. Riching
All is one of my absolute all time heroes, so
to be working with his producer's actually been player as well.
Collor Yeah, yeah, he plays. He's played bass form since
two thousand.
Speaker 3 (32:05):
And four of it obviously from Sheffield as well. And
ye yeah, well yeah yeah, any any like the collaborations
for the EP anything lined.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
Up subably, can't say the many, but yeah, it might
be one of tour on the cards.
Speaker 3 (32:18):
Yeah, I'd like to hazard a few guests, but their time.
It's it's been great mate. Before we get off, if
you've got anything you want to shout out.
Speaker 2 (32:31):
No, just keep an eye out for the new music.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
The new single I can tell you it is called
Coloring My Life and it's coming July, the.
Speaker 3 (32:38):
First billion brilliant and I'll link everything yours below. People
know where to check it outa people if you've if
you've liked what you hear today, hit like and subscribe.
And one last thank you to the sponsor of this episode,
docs Fest. Thanks everyone,
We started bands when we were sort of twelve thirteen.
We were dreadful, as there's always are and die age.
But I can remember I was actually in a band
with I came from the horizon.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Oh right, okay. He went to my second yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Years older, and what he expressed the interesting issue and
he played back around grabbing a ras with Matt with
Mum's house.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Within that time, I were a building surrena as well.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
It's not like I weren't doing music, but I was
doing music for the wrong reason, not playing bars, and
I mean, we're only quite.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
A lot of money just playing covers.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
I can't and I tell people now I used to
do a covers gig and I had this kind of
depression after it. Music was always something that ran back to.
I think even I had feared away from it. Within
the line, I've always gone back to it, and I
think I've accepted now it's got to be a part
(00:52):
part of the existence, and if it's.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Not, I'm not gonna be happy.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
That's what I would forward to this one mate, me too.
For those listening at home, today's guest has been making
huge waves in the music scene since twenty twenty two.
You might have seen him at Glastonbury last year or
more recently on tour with Chesney Hawk good Man.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Well, that were good. That were memorable, really memorable.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
It's been branded South Yorkshires Springsteen and I can't wait
to get into it. So welcome Sam. How's it going.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
It's good. I'm good mate, Yeah, good to be good.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
So straight into it. I read in an article that
your mum used to play Springsteen's songs around the house
when he was growing up.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
She did, Yeah, among some of the things that Springsteen
ari David Bowie. The Springsteen thing came from a song
that I put out in twenty twenty three, a song
called Balloon and it's still one that we played live
and still one that fans really want.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Joe Borne to run, I believe.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yeah. Well, I said that in an interview Bait. It
was like the instrumentation on it and stuff.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
There were references, but do you know what I mean,
It wasn't as obvious as as you'd think. But yeah,
and from that, that's where that kind of came from.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
And I'm just running, you know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Yeah, take us back to the start painting a picture
for us because you're from Sheffield.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Originally, I yea from a town called Mexborough, which is
sort of in between Doncaster and Sheffield.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Yeah, it's a JUNI in Sheffield.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Started doing a lot of open mice and gigs in
Sheffield in my twenties, but then it kind of teared
off and I was always kind of based Sheffield.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Yeah, let's take it back before the music, So try
and paint a picture for us. What was it like
growing up in Export in the night's ice shame?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Yeah, mexper is. I still like to visit my It's
full of characters, do you know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Work? It's a working class town, some great pubs in
XPRA and I still like visiting.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Like I said, I've still got a lot of family
here as well. And yeah, I mean pretty normal.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
There were there were no nothing really stood out as
really different from a normal working class bring back.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Can remember when I got secondary school.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
I never really enjoyed secondary school and if anyone ever
asked me about second school, it's never a particularly happy
point in my life.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
But what I can.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Remember about secondary schoolers there were a youth club in
Mexpra and within that youth club some guys who were
working there and built a recording studio, and I can
remember just wanting to finish school and get to that
recording studio. And we started bands when we were sort
of twelve thirteen. We were dreadful, as as you always
are a die age. But I can remember I was
(03:56):
actually in a band with Marke Keane from the Horizon. Okay,
but he went to my second three years older than
he expressed the interesting issue and he played back around
grabbing with Matt my mum's house in Mountain Street and Mexboro. Yeah,
I think I must have been twelve Matt fourteen. We
were in a band called S. He's obviously going on
(04:19):
to do spectacular things.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Well, you're well on your way as well. So was
your mom and dad both there growing up.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
No, I grew up with my mum. Yeah, yeah, I
still see. There were no animosity between wom and dad.
They were all that broke ron.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Yeah, really close to my dad and his partner. And yeah,
It's music was always something that ran back to, and
I think even tried to feel away from it within
the life. I've always gone back to it, and I
think I've accepted now it's got to be a part
part of the existence and if it's not, I'm not
(04:58):
going to be happy.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
I need I need to be around it.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
So you know, growing up listening to Bowie and listening
to things like Springsteen, what what was the catalyst for
you actually thinking I want I want to pick up
an instrument. I want to start learning and singing for
that matter as well.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
I mean, while my mum did play them records, that
wasn't the kind of stuff that was into, Like do
you remember first I grew up and my friends at
school we were into like metal and grunge and things
like that. And I can remember turning into an hosted
teenage thirteen twelteen, and you know K Cobaine speaks to
(05:36):
with teenagers, do you.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (05:39):
And it was it was the Vanna And I think
because when you listen to Navana and you are accessible
riffs and things, they're pretty easy to pick up.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And I was.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
I was self taught on self talk and guitar, and
that's self talk and piano as well. But of course
of the rifts and stuff with that access, yeah, easy
to learn it kind of it won't be along and.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Give me the encouragement to carry on. I wouldn't say I'm.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
A particularly good, particularly skilled guitarist or pianist, but I
can do enough.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
To get by.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Yeah, so you needn't look that's it.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
And my writing comes from a place of melody and
really basic chords, to be honest with you.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
And yeah, it's the Barns, just basic, basic.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
And it resonated with a lot of people. I wonder
if it's because you know that Seattle grunge, like it
rains a lot in Seattle. Yeah, and I wonder if
some of that, if it resonates with us, particularly up
here and the not off Like, I wonder if there's
an element of that, you know, it's like it's like
especially in the lyrics.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
I'm right now, there's like a determination and stuff that
you could that you can hear in the our vocals
are delivered and the lyrics and stuff like that, like
not going to give in kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
We've been to cheese and I suppose it was back
to the the broke Springsteen kind of ibe as well,
do you know what I mean? He's from that working
class we'll call the background. Yeah, definitely, there's links. There's
always links within music. Definitely.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
It was brilliant songwriter and I love Springsteen grown up? Yeah,
I thought it was great. So before committing to music,
I read that you as a building surveyor. And if
I'm right, it was twenty twenty two, wasn't it when
you decided he was going to sort of launch a
music career, wasn't it?
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Am I right? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (07:28):
What happened there? Because that correct me? If I'm wrong,
that's considered quite a good job. Isn't it quite quite
a lucrative job? So what what's you know? What? What
was the catalyst for that? What made you think? Fuck race,
I'm going to jump into music head first because it
was clearly the right decision, and you must have done
it with some sort.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Of Yeah, there were a lot of moving parts to
that decision. But I think when I left school it
was sort of sixteen seventeen.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
We kicked out of six form.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
So I went to music college first.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
I went to.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Our captain Rotherham Premire arise On th as well Mail
were in the class next to me as well from
the Horizon, and yeah, I can't I.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Never really got on with it, but I did learn
some fundamentals and pop music.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
In that one year that I was there. I dropped
out I had no direction.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
And working as a roof for laborer for a couple
of years from my uncle decided that I had a
bit of brain on my head and he kind of
put me from college course and I kind of just
fell into the surveyed. It weren't weren't decision that one. Yeah,
I got offered a job that were about twenty grand
(08:40):
or twenty years old, and I felt Donald Trump, you.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
Know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
But it was but yeah, I kind of fell into
it and then had when I put my mind to
something I've always seemed to do, you know what I mean,
If I do by myself to it, I can. I
did quite in that company, but I did it for
about ten years and then I think a couple of
emotions and then they turn around one day and said
(09:07):
you're getting London.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Some big fu. Yeah. And there were a few things
happening in.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
My personal life that worked great, and I just COVID
happened as well, so that you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
They were, like I said, there were a lot of
moving parts and.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Came to a head, all boiled up to a head.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
That's it.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
And it's like within that time I were a building
surrea as well, it's not like I weren't doing music,
but I was doing music for the wrong reason. Were
not playing bars, And yeah, I mean, we're only quite
a lot of money just playing covers. I can't And
I tell people now, I used to do a covers
gig and I had this kind of depression after.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
It just felt wrong.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
With selling yourself.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
It felt awful, and it felt I mean, it was
great that.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
I mean, I invested some of that money quite wisely,
which has helped me out big time. Now do you
know what I mean in terms of musician is not cheap?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Do you know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (10:02):
And tell me about the nut I invest. I invest
that wise then it's it's allowed me to do do
you know what I mean? Spend the money properly, spend
the money on proper producers, and give the music. Because
if you if you're going to do your music, people
have been watched I be spending your money. Your music
is the first thing.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
You need to spend. Yeah, It's like I.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Was speaking to a band the other day and they said, well,
how much I'll be spending on a single, And they
told me, figure, that's just you're not going to get
anywhere with that do you know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (10:32):
It's like, if your songs are that good, invested the
money in them. Yeah, do you know what I mean? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Well, I'm in the studio next week. Well this this
week is starting Saturday at Chapel Studios. Great players can't
wait to go. We're paying five grand. We've got five
days there. But obviously some of that's going to be
for mixing time.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
And you've got to work with producers as well.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
It's like you can go to a studio and you
compare to hundred and fifty quick and you can work
with an engineer, but an engineer is not a producer.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Do you know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Yeah, you need to have a producer in there. My
music really started to get better when I had someday
to bounce off music.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
You locked in with the producer.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
Now.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Then I worked with.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
The last ep, I worked with two different producers. So
there's tracks by two different producers and I built really
good relationships to them both. The one that I'm working with,
which might touch on later on, is I'm working with
a producer in the Sheffield from June and.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
So I'm going to see how that goes. It's a
really big opportunity for us. So I'm really.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
See your single balloon touched on it earlier. I'm all
right and thinking the brass section was recorded over in Nashville. Yes,
how did that come about?
Speaker 2 (11:51):
So?
Speaker 1 (11:54):
As I just mentioned so in COVID when just before
I'm kind of planning this this.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Released campaign and to start releasing me on music.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
In twenty seventeen, I went to a studio called steel
Works in Sheffield and working with guy called Dada Thompson.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
He wed a band called Alvareskings and they did really
well in America and.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
He moved He met a girl and he moved out there,
but aid him with the first guy that felt really
comfortable working in.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
The studio with.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
And I'd always had like a basic set up at
home with many keyboard and some basic microphones and stuff.
And I sent him a song one day and I said,
what can you do with this? If I record everything
with my own studio, send it you. What can you do?
And he sent me back. First track we did with
a track called Early Morning Rain, which is on Spotify.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
And yeah, then we did that with basic.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
Mida drums, so we didn't have a real drummer on that,
which is Sacril and looking back, I shouldn't put but
I did.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
I can't tell you.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Some of the pro some of the programers now are
they are saying, yeah, they are genuinely insane. What what
you can get now? But so we did that, and
then obviously I was planned. I think I released three
songs in twenty twenty two.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
It we're all.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Just dipping my toy war and seeing what worked, seeing
what didn't and putting stuff online, and advice started get
to anyone that is just starting out is just put
something out.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
I sat on songs for twelve years thinking this, yeah, this.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
And as soon as I did want to like that
way hour off, an hour away.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
And that's the best, definitely the best bit of advice.
Don't be scared and just put it out. If it's ship,
you can put something else out, do you know.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Yeah, you learn from your mistakes and put the band
always turned to me in the same I love that
song and I just.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Look at settlist. I don't like that. But yeah balloon, Yeah,
I've lost the tray of the phone now.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Sorry, I was just going to get onto what what
was the sort of at first? That's about how did
the brass section think, Oh, yeah, I was just going
to ask more more in general, how did that song about,
what was the what was the process for writing that song,
Where did it come from? That Was it something you'd
been sat on for a while.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Or that one came quite quick? And yeah, we're in
a bit of a dark place in my life at
that time.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
And the line let me float away, there's like references
to to a signing there and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
That song is called Bloom float Away and whatnot, and
it's pause with a really.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
Happy song, but it's like, yeah, two different fever and
concurrently you've got the happy music and the really sadlyrics, and.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Yeah, I've always liked that song. When we play that
song live, it's.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
I remember when we're doing the brass section, so I
could actually see the brass being recorded, so that the
video in it at the same time like on a
live stream were it were awesome. But yeah, the drums
were done in Nashville and the brass were done.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Yeah, yeah, Would you like to do any more clubs
like that in the future moving forward?
Speaker 1 (15:17):
I would, But I mean, I'm slowly touched with Aid
and I always will always be a dear friend of mine.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Because how much you helped me, and I almost believing
when I first.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Starting out, But I don't know. It's I like to
be in a room with somebody having an argument with
somebody about that, do you know what I mean? And
I think that a good you should be looking on with. Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
There should be some friction, some healthy friction.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
You do you do you like the process of recording?
Enjoy fat because I really enjoy it, you know. I
enjoy all the elements writing a song, performed a song,
recording a song. But there's something about really sitting down
with something and trying different guitars on certain parts and
different effects and really hashing out with your mates. Is
(16:06):
something really, really really cathartic about that, isn't I?
Speaker 2 (16:09):
It is?
Speaker 1 (16:09):
And it's kind of I love the writing process just
as much as the recording. I mean, I still do
exactly what I did. Whereas I'll put the full kind
of song together. Part of the drums, I'll play the pianos,
maybe arrange from strings, I'll play the guitars. I'll put
a basic ball down and then I'll take you to
a producer who I can hope well mm hmm, bring
(16:32):
it more to life. Yeah, yeah, it's I love both processors.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
I mean, been doing it Today's Sheffield is Yeah, that's
what I live for definitely.
Speaker 3 (17:00):
So in one of your songs, boy you Fell to
Earth a tribute to your son, I believe, isn't that?
So the showcase is a more introspective side of your song, right,
And so how do you like to use things like
fatherhood and other experiences in your life to shape your song?
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Right?
Speaker 1 (17:18):
And it's the only song that I've done, And well,
it were actually we were going to aiding or mentioning.
That were the I suppose I did try and launch
the career once in twenty seventeen, but I never really
had the right I don't know the directions stuff, and
he never really got off Brown.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
But that blueprint for it kind of thing, I'll tell
you what it were.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
We started a band and we went out of Sam
Strong and the Fix, and it kind of made the
mistake of doing it with people who are really close
with and yeah, it didn't work because I were too
familiar with the band and stuff like that, and he
kind of just fizzled out and death. But that boyl
Fell to work for a track from those kind of
(18:04):
sessions written very very quickly. It's got some lovely chords
in there.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
I couldn't tell you what they are, but I know
how to play one with.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Do you prefer being sort of the leader of a band?
Do you, like you said you with some of your songwriting,
You'll map everything out and then take it to the producer.
Is that how you kind of prefer working? You couldn't
see yourself as somebody front of the band. It's more
Sam and his band? Is that?
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Yeah? Sounding like a complete blanky.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Yeah, Yeah, it's how it is for some people. Yes,
it's how it is, and it works for some people
like it. My singer turn out and said, I want
to be the leader of this band. It wouldn't work
because we've not set up in that context. But someone
like yourself, you're the singer songwriter at the end of
the day there, and it's it's up to you how
you put your songs out.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
I do do a lot of the work initially, so
it's well.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
I bill particularly now extremely good and competent set of
musicians around. But I think that there's a couple of
the band that do like to be involved in the
sessions as a couple that aren't really that particularly well,
but that's not a bad things, you know what I mean? Yeah,
that just happened to live. But we had some Yeah,
(19:22):
we've had some good we had. The last time we
did three of us went down. We went out to
Brighton and if we danced in Celebration studios.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Great, great chain them. Yes, yeah, that came out in February,
just about to release.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
I like the video as well. I like that sort
of no is camera style.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Yeah, yeah, it's good, good track, made good track. I'll
link it in the comments, thank you very much.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Yeah, so it's yeah lost trailer four again.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Saying you just went to Brighten if we danced.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
Yeah, so yes, so sorry with a with a band
there and the band had a particularly little coming guitar,
a lot of involvement. You met up the guitar solo
to that track basically from the spot as well. It
just came out and home and I think he had
an idea for a part that's coming from working with
a good producer while working with God Modern.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
It was what we added a Rubbert plant, So do
you know what I mean? He's got a good solid
c B.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
And yeah, it's inspiring to be around people like that,
and they had some amazing gear in Salvation Studios and
some proper good gear.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:25):
Yeah, well there's there's a banned local tow here that
they actually did the first podcast of mine called kid Spirit,
and they went down and did recorded a livp a Salvation.
Really it sounded incredible. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've not been sprying.
I'm off myself in May for the first time. So yeah,
looking forward to going down there.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
I'm looking forward to leave him. By the time I'd
been there three days. It's really it's a bit too crazy,
is there really a souh?
Speaker 1 (20:57):
So?
Speaker 3 (20:58):
I mean in a short time since you've been going,
you've you've done some impressive stuff, you know, I mean
off the top of my head. You've played Revenue Makers,
two Door Cinema Club, you did two to two sets
of Glasgow last year the Leadmill as well. You sold
out the Leadmill didn't, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
Only the small room.
Speaker 3 (21:17):
Well, but anyway, what you know, obviously, growing up in
that area must feel pretty mad, going from a you know,
attending gigs at the Lead Mell. And you went to
Glastonbury as well when he was younger, I believed didn't.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
I went went to Glastombury every single year by one
from when ill fourteen.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Were fourteen.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
The first time they went and they don't I'd missed
one year and yeah too, sorry, do you want to start?
Speaker 3 (21:47):
Happened to carry on?
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Yeah, so I have been every year since we were fourteen,
and that was a particularly like class moment to go
down there and play. I only did a couple of
solo cool success, but we did the We did some
stuff for the official radio station and stuff like that,
and it yeah, it's uh, it just maybe one more.
(22:09):
You have these things and then it's like, well I
want to do that again. I want rest on your laurels.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
Yeah, for their moments. So as a musician, oh yeah,
I've said it a couple of times on the podcast.
But last year played at Bellogiraum Festival in Scotland, which
is like their their Glastonbury, and we had triple A
passes so it was just go where every want, you know,
and the Futuredes was playing and I just went and
watched them from the stage side stage. Just little moments
like that. As a musician you think this is what
(22:37):
it's all for. Just just random little bits like that,
and it meeting different people, and.
Speaker 1 (22:42):
The first time we did that that were at Ocean
Color Scene last year and yeah, we had a bit
too much to drink, but like we would do you
know what I mean, stood next to Seed Craddock and
it were Yeah, it were crazy. Yeah, that were another Yeah,
there's been were just what we want to be out
there playing and meeting people, do you know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (23:00):
This is what we this is what we love.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
What we've got coming up, what you know, gigs in
the their future people look forward to.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Kind of just finished the tour cycle that so it's
going to be we're going to be announcing another tour
in for September straw October, and that'll be getting announced
pretty soon. We've got a couple of festivals that we're
doing this year, but this summer's kind of focused on
getting this next TP ready to.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Get in chip shape and starting doing well.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
As I started doing the pre production signary hour in
Rassels all through May and then in the studio in
June and then hopefully start releasing that.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
We only look in September. Yeah, that tour.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
Starts if you need, if you need a band to
support the tour, mate, But I mean I feel like
the music scenes thriving at the moment. I really think
it is particularly like in Yorkshire as well. Bands like
the Ratings absolutely smashing it. Bands like The Rose and
Arcs doing really well. What's your perception on music at
(24:09):
the moment, particularly guitar Gjohn were sitting But.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Yeah, it's it's very healthy. But none of these guys
are doing well. We are rafting extremely are It's like
you look at tet the Ross for example. I mean
they started, they've been going, I've been wrong, but it's
twenty seventeen and they've had that resilience to keep.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Going and keep going.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
And I think that finally, all these years later, having
that little break through, I think he came a bit
quicker for the ratings. You've got to respect everything they've
done with the marketing and stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Great that John Fry videos.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
Yeah, yes, so I went to Hour in the Gym
where the film that.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Yeah, and we've got a mutual friend called Jimmy Arrington.
Yeah when we released I want to and dropped around.
But yeah, it's uh yeah, the none it's come out
hard work, but it's all come from that diy Ethos
as well. No one's needed labels, and if you do
(25:14):
it right and you look after your fans, you're going
to remember. Your fans are the ones and reason that
you're there, you know what I mean. And yeah, they've
done it really well. Just then there's lords doing it
really well. But the ratings are the Kings.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
The way they've managed to create a fan base, like
people would die on the it's hard to do that.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
And I've seen I've seen footage from the European tour
and it's like, I know, we know a lot of
the same people. And I told a lot of friends
on when we're all traveling to Paris and traveling around Europe, and.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
I played I played at the New a Delphie last
month for some mets Venu. Yeah, there's an old day.
It was really good, like called ellis more put on
shout nice. But the Rosados was on that actually they
closed out, but there was a group of people there.
(26:16):
There was a couple of them was from Grimsby who
kind of know of you know, but they was there
with this big group and they've been following the ratings round.
I mean, yeah, yeah, and I think I think last
week or something that was off like two dates in
your rope, you know, looking crazy, and people traveled following everywhere.
It's emerging artists at them inte that you really like you,
you've got your eye on.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
I really like, really like Pablo from all.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Yeah, Pablo is good, and yeah, I've.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
Known I on my radar.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
Last year I did an acoustic gig and I can
always remember saying to him I did that. We did
a lot of gigs early last year and then I
went out with an acoustic and I did some like
small bar gigs and has Pablo to support me. He
turned up fucking late and I can't be doing this,
like you need to put your ideas up.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
And you know, I think he's I think he's working.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Were listening to you and but I think he's been
in studio with I think he's been in with Miles
from the Ross as well, and really like Well it's
single that he put out, it's far too fucking long,
but it's it's excellent. It's an excellent song. But I
did tell him that it's a great song. It's just
too many is too long.
Speaker 3 (27:28):
But yeah, I've not heard it. But live he likes
to do. He uses loops and drum machine and things
like that he excited that to the single because I
think he was doing some full band stuff.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Yeah that the single is a bit more full band.
It's called somewher Else.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
It's a really really great song, really cracking song, and
we're actually supporting him, you know, because he's doing like
a big Yeah what.
Speaker 2 (27:59):
Is it social?
Speaker 1 (28:00):
So yeah, that's it. Yeah, so the PUS is made
support to that. But that would be great. Look that
we played We supported CVC at that social the week
and it's a great.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
Good venue in it. Yeah, yeah, I've played it. I
don't know if they're still doing them there, but you
know Dann and Mac from the Sash. Yeah, they was
doing point on gigs at the Social one time, but
I don't know if they still are. Maybe under the.
Speaker 1 (28:23):
Under occasionally they're doing Polar Bear as well.
Speaker 3 (28:28):
Is fantastic and it's.
Speaker 1 (28:30):
The favorite place that we played on tour. The whole
crowd it's yeah, that seem to love us. Seem to
get a better response more than in South Yorkshire. But
I don't know why that is.
Speaker 3 (28:42):
But yeah, yeah they've done something especially it's full on
a Tuesday and it really is full. But you know,
reflecting on your journey from a self self taught guitarist
and musician to playing at Glastonbury and tram lines and
ship mate, like, what, what's some pivotal essense? You know
some things that really stand out from that from the
(29:03):
journey or is that you could share with the listeners.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
I think I touched on it earlier, but definitely just
having that bravery to put someone out and most part
people are quite kind and forgiving, do you know what
I mean, It's like they know that you're bearing your
soul online. You do get the old dickhead like putting
some knaf comments and stuff like that, but just having
(29:29):
that bravery and belief in yourself, that's that's the main
lesson I think. And once you get over that hurdle,
you'll find some kind of confidence that builds inside you.
And that that happened particularly with me definitely. But and
another lesson is you've got to treat it, got to
treat it seriously. I mean, when we when we first
started and we were first playing some gigs in bars
(29:52):
and stuff like that, we used to get absolutely before
gigs and stuffly and you can't do that. We don't
do that anymore. It's you've got to be you've got
to be on it. You've got to bring your air game.
And particularly for me my singing style as well.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
I can't. I can't play gigs drunk, do you know
what I mean? Yeah, it doesn't work. I got to
be on it. And you've got to apply that to everything.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
And yeah, we've probably learned that the hard way, but
you've got to enjoy, enjoy yourself after the gig.
Speaker 2 (30:25):
That's yeah, definitely, Yeah, you're dead right.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
I mean everyone's done. I'm there and played some people
that really works.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
It does, and I think you've got that punky kind
of that punk kinder edge and stuff like that. I'll
be able to you'll get you'll get away with it,
but kind of stuff that it's kind of I like
to be polished, you know what I mean. I like
the music to be polished. I like the live show
to be polished. And yeah, can't be getting it popped
(30:58):
out your face?
Speaker 2 (30:59):
Yeah, do you know?
Speaker 3 (31:00):
Yeah? On the part brilliant mate. So what what can
people look forward to in terms of release? She said?
The EP is coming out later on in the So
what what sort of time scale on that.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
Well, we've got a single that we're going to put
out first weekend in July, but that's not part of
the it. That's kind of just we need to put
we want to put some music out. I tried to
keep some music rolling out there every two or three
months and still sat on a lot. But we're going
in where rich and All his producer Colin Elliott.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
Yellow Arch in Sheffield.
Speaker 1 (31:38):
Renowned studios, going in there in June, and yeah, that's
what we're rehearsing for in May.
Speaker 2 (31:45):
We're basically going to get everything mapped out Polish.
Speaker 1 (31:47):
So we can be in and out of that studio
quite quite rappid and really looking forward to that. Riching
All is one of my absolute all time heroes, so
to be working with his producer's actually been player as well.
Collor Yeah, yeah, he plays. He's played bass form since
two thousand.
Speaker 3 (32:05):
And four of it obviously from Sheffield as well. And
ye yeah, well yeah yeah, any any like the collaborations
for the EP anything lined.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
Up subably, can't say the many, but yeah, it might
be one of tour on the cards.
Speaker 3 (32:18):
Yeah, I'd like to hazard a few guests, but their time.
It's it's been great mate. Before we get off, if
you've got anything you want to shout out.
Speaker 2 (32:31):
No, just keep an eye out for the new music.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
The new single I can tell you it is called
Coloring My Life and it's coming July, the.
Speaker 3 (32:38):
First billion brilliant and I'll link everything yours below. People
know where to check it outa people if you've if
you've liked what you hear today, hit like and subscribe.
And one last thank you to the sponsor of this episode,
docs Fest. Thanks everyone,
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