What are your names?
Laura (Singer), James (Drummer), John (Guitarist) and Ian (Bassist)
Tell us the story behind the name ‘ Kid Cupid’.
We would love for there to be a really profound story behind this, and we’ve thought about making one up! In reality, it was the result of nights and days of drunken whatsapps, we had lists of potential names and words. One day we sat and tried to put some of them together, Kid Cupid was born!
What is your genre of music?
Indie Electro with a twist of pop and soul
Give us a little bio about you as a band.
We’ve been playing together for a little over a year now. James met Laura when they were both working on a TV show. At the time James was playing in a band that he formed with friends at Uni. Once he found out that Laura was a singer/songwriter, he invited her to feature on one of the bands tracks. A little time went on and the band unfortunately disbanded as they all were living in different parts of the UK. Before you know it, Laura and James were on the verge of starting a new band themselves. Through mutual friends, Laura found the amazing, tattooed bass player that is Ian and from a posted ad for a synth/guitarist online, John came walking through the doors and blew us away. Not only that but James and John realised they went to College together! Laura already had a pocket full of originals, that we loved and still play today! It wasn’t long before we were all writing songs individually and together!
Are you a signed?
Not yet!
You work with Quite Great , how did that come about?
After a lot of research. We’re ready to take things up a notch and feel like Quite Great are the people to help us with that!
Tell us more about your track ‘Broken Down”.
‘Broken Down’ is a track about someone fighting back and making a change for the better, about the internal struggles we all face. We really wanted to create something haunting and cinematic after our more joyful second single ‘London Love’.
How has the response been so far?
Really positive! In fact, people are saying it’s their favourite yet.
What was the writing process like for ‘Broken Down’ ?
It was a really collaborative and long process. James brought in a beat, we all loved it and sat around in John’s studio and wrote lyrics together. Once we had those locked in we revisited the instrumental and invited our friend Amy Squirrel in to lay on some cello! It’s a really great experience creating together, we’re all very happy to experiment and try new things- most of the time we end up adding too much and strip it back again.
Will we be seeing an EP or album? If so can you tell us more about that?
Absolutely, that is in the pipeline for next year. We have the next single almost ready for January and after that we will focus on EP material.
Will you be touring this year?
Hopefully we will in the new year!
If so where will you be heading?
Definitely around the UK (Laura is from North East so we will be up in Newcastle) and we’ve already locked something in for Berlin, so perhaps a small European tour is on the cards too. Hopefully you will see us at a few festivals too!
What made you go in to music?
Laura: I’m from a musical family and have always been surrounded by records that I used to rifle through and instruments I was encouraged to pick up and play. It has been my passion for as long as I can remember and I’ve been writing lyrics since I was 5.
James: I have early memories of setting up my Mum’s pots and pans in front of the tv, drumming with wooden spoons to The Beatles and Rolling Stones, my dad and brother spurring me on with Jagger and Keith impersonations.
Do you play any instruments?
Yep! We all do. John is our producer extraordinaire and he also plays the guitar and keys. James plays the drums, Ian plays the Bass and Laura sometimes plays keys too.
Who are your influences?
As a band we have such varied influences which works really well when experimenting with writing.
Laura: For me personally, I grew up listening to strong female artists like Stevie Nicks, Kate Bush, Blondie, Joan Armatrading as well as things like Bob Dylan, The Cult, New Order, Portishead and Little Dragon.
Ian: I listen to every and anything. I grew up on skate punk with bands like Millencolin, NOFX, Bad Religion, The Lawrence Arms, The Misfits etc and as I got older it spread far and wide. Bands & artists like Blur, Ryan Adams, Queens Of The Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys, Parliament/Funkadelic, Miles Davis, The Specials, The Kinks. Like I say anything and everything. Recently I’ve even been branching in a big way into Hip-Hop.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Laura: I’m constantly writing notes in my iphone, I’m inspired by people and society around me, I pick up on people’s conversations and it may spark an idea. Things come from personal experience and relationships however for me, I’m much more interested in writing about wider issues.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Hopefully on a steady incline in the industry, people loving our music and some solid gigs and festival slots in the pipeline.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
We all love to travel so try and get away as much as possible!
Job wise- Laura and James work in Film & TV, Ian works for Apple and John is a financial Journalist!
Where would your dream venue to play in your hometown?
Ian: I’m going to show my age here, but I saw my first gig at the London Astoria on Charing Cross Road. I also went to the last ever show before they knocked it down. That venue held so many memories for me. I saw so many great bands play there over the years. I’d need a time machine but I’d love to play there!
If you could collaborate with one UK Artists or Band who would it be?
As a band, right now we’re really loving Nao.
Ian: I think for me personally, it would have to be Damon Albarn or Graham Coxon from Blur. Damon is a genius who has put his name to so many creative endevours all over the musical spectrum and Coxon has to be one of the best alt/pop guitarists I’ve had the pleasure of listening to.
If you could collaborate with one US Artists or Band who would it be?
Laura: For me, I’m enjoying what ABRA is doing at the moment.
Ian: Obviously Ryan Adams, I absolutely love everything he’s put his name to. His collaboration with Willie Nelson is pure perfection and I highly recommend the album Songbird that was recorded with his band the Cardinals.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Too many to list! The more we experience the more we seem to absorb.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
To have fun!
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Believe in what you’re doing and make music that you really enjoy.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
‘Success is a journey not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome’- Arthur Ashe
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Laura: Water!!!! My mouth gets so dry sometimes when I’m nervous!
Ian: Spare leads, My effects pedals! To have a good time and to put on a show!
James: Drum sticks!!! And my in ear monitors
John: Spare pants…
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Of course! All of our music is on www.soundcloud.com/kidcupidmusic
Facebook www.facebook.com/kidcupidmusic
Instagram www.instagram.com/wearekidcupid
Twitter www.twitter.com/kidcupidmusic
