What is your name? The Blinding Lights
What is your genre of music?
Rock’n’roll
Give us a little bio about you.
Growing up 50 years after the birth of rock’n’roll, raised on the unadulterated, raw energy of 50s rock’n’roll, the euphoric pop hooks of 60s rhythm and blues, and the emotive range and power of 70s classic rock, we believe in rock’n’roll; its ability to impassion, to excite, to anger and fundamentally, to make you feel. We aim to combine these influences alongside our belief in the power of live music to define our unique, fun, modern, British Rock‘n’Pop sound.
Tell us more about ‘ Can’t Get Enough ‘
Can’t Get Enough is the lead track off our upcoming EP. It’s basically our attempt at writing an old-school, motown, rock’n’roll song with a modern sound. The horns; the riff; the chorus… It’s all just meant to get you moving.
Who did you work with on the song?
The brilliant people over at Park Studios JQ up in the lovely city of Birmingham. Alastair Jamiesona and Dan Williams did a brilliant job of getting that old school feel with a modern rock sound.
Tell us about the video process and how you decided how you wanted it to look.
We were working on quite a tight schedule for the video so a few ideas were thrown around, even the idea of us filming one ourselves. Which we tried and failed horrifically (watch this space for some clips from that…). And then we got very lucky when a guy called Joss Horne got in contact with us. He had a basic idea for a shoot, just get us in front of a camera, make it all about the music and us as a live band. So shot the whole thing in a couple of hours and Joss put it together into what now see.
Will we see an EP soon or album?
An EP is just around the corner actually.
If so can you tell us more about it?
Yeah sure. Can’t Get Enough is actually the title track from it, and we’ve got one more upbeat rock’n’roll number on it too. But being in a studio you’re inclined to push yourself a bit, and we wanted to show what we can actually do with some more time, space and scope musically and instrumentally. So we’ve got a couple of much longer pieces that draw from things like Springsteen’s Jungleland, or Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell. That sort of rock opera feel, but hopefully with a strong narrative, socially aware and socially relevant message.
Do you have any gigs planned or a tour?
No tour currently, but we just had our launch gig at the O2 Islington, and have got another couple of gigs coming up this year, before we send off 2016 at The Troubadour in Fulham on New Year’s Eve.
What made you go in to music?
Everyone in the band has got their own answer to that, but if there’s one thing that links us all it was probably seeing music live. Whether it was Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Prince. Experiencing that music live, and the way that those artists perform. When it’s more than just an average gig, it’s more than just another night. That’s what got us into it.
Do you play any instruments?
Callum: Piano, vocal
Jack: Guitar
Theo: Drums
Will: Bass guitar
Who are your influences?
We’re all huge Springsteen fans so that’s a big one. But then it breaks off pretty quickly into different areas. David Bowie to Billy Joel to The Zac Brown Band to Sam and Dave.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Anywhere and everywhere. Pretty clichéd I know, but it’s true and probably is for everyone. I’m not sure who said it, but it’s definitely been said that pretty much every person has enough experiences in there first 18 years to write enough music to fill a lifetime. I guess a lot of the music falls into two categories, but I generally think primarily of writing for myself, if I like it then hopefully others will too. Music that I can escape to, and music to help me understand.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Is it big-headed to say playing at the Superbowl and headlining Glastonbury?
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I blame Jack, but seeing as he’s a chef when not playing with the band, we spend a lot of time eating. When rehearsals are getting you down, food is the answer.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Working Too Hard – Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. Being in a band isn’t all that easy at the moment, but it definitely beats an office job.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Don’t believe in failure; it doesn’t exist.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Practice hard, well and a lot. Technical mastery isn’t necessary but it is helpful. But don’t forget to actually live your life at the same time, great pieces of music don’t come from being sat in a practice room all day.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Tramps like us, baby, we were Born To Run.
You work with Fifth Element , how did that come about?
After our first EP, Those Nights, we were looking for a bit of a boost in our press relations, getting our name out there to all you bloggers and magazine writers, and reviewers. Fifth Element were really interested in helping the band move forwards, they loved the music, had worked with some other acts recently at about the same stage we were at and thought they could do some great work with us, which seems to be working out really well at the moment.
You get off the plane in your hometown after being away;
1/ where do you go first? Home
2/ who do you see first? Our mums
3/ what food place do you go? Wherever Jack’s cooking
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot go without?
Theo: War and Peace. To make him look clever.
Will: Shoe polish. Got to keep those shoes shiny.
Jack: Slippers. He likes being comfy.
Callum: A keyboard cable. I have a tendency of forgetting it.
In reality we’d settle for tea.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
https://www.facebook.com/theblindinglightsofficial
Instagram: @blindinglightsofficial
www.theblindinglights.co.uk
