Cole Salewicz – Vocals / Tom Williams – Bass / Josh Miles – Lead Guitar/ Benjy Miles – Rhythm Guitar / Harry Pike – Drums
What is the bands name?
Artbreak
What’s the story behind your name?
I couldn’t figure out what the name should be, I was really stressing out about it. Then one day we were on a train ride on the way back from rehearsals, messing around, putting words into a randomiser and the word Art kept on coming up… its about breaking rules and penning songs on love universal.
What is your genre of music?
It seems to differ depending on our mood, you know?! We’re an indie band but there’s all sorts of funk influence and heavier guitars and I love hip-hop and grime, if you listen carefully enough, there’s a bit of that in there to.
Give us a little bio about you as a band and individuals
Josh and I have been hanging-out writing songs for 10 years, we’ve had a few goes at being in a band. His little brother Benjy joined first and then Tom joined us on bass and it started to gel properly. I think we just got better as we kept at it, you gotta persevere till you start writing songs that reflect who you are and that you’re proud to sing onstage.
Are you signed?
No… doing it all on our jack jones.
You’re set to release ‘Will To Survive.’ Tell us more about the track
It’s a song I wrote about having an identity crisis at school and blurring into my early 20s. Everyone is essentially searching for who they are in this world and it’s not always easy. That’s what the tune’s about lyrically. I did some of the music and had the structure from recording in my bedroom and brought it to Tom and Josh who added a few bits and made it a bit more streamlined.
Describe the track in two words
Catchy fucker
You worked with Tony Visconti, how was that?
Amazing, really amazing – he’s a fantastic, soulful dude who made us feel very much at ease. What’s so cool is that literally decades of recording haven’t killed his hunger or invention. He has a real understanding I think of human psychology and made everyone feel extremely at ease.
How did the recording go?
Actually equipment kept breaking down, like every few hours there was a problem! But Tony made us feel very at ease, it didn’t feel like a stressful situation, he kept cracking jokes or telling us about sessions with Bowie or hanging out with John Lennon in hotel rooms. He told a great story about seeing Frank Sinatra as a kid…
Are you heading out on tour or do you have any gigs planned?
We just played the Black Heart in Camden. With more shows coming-up, but right now we are quite focused on writing a lot of material. I love performing, it’s so much fun but to be honest I just wanna hone my craft writing with the band and writing at home. I think there will be shows in Manchester before the end of the year from conversations I’ve had recently.
What made you go in to music?
It wasn’t like I made a decision it just seemed to happen naturally. I had to express myself, I used to love writing poems and I figured the best way to get these out was through a microphone. When I was 13-14 I just wanted to meet people who could play instruments, that hasn’t really changed to be honest.
Do you play any instruments?
I play guitar and sing. I’m working on my bass skills too.
Who are your influences?
Personally my favourites are: Bowie, Prince, The Clash, Wiley and Kendrick Lamar. The rest of the band are into Snarky Puppy, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Flying Lotus, John Coltrane, HAIM. I mean, there’s so many…
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
I just need to sit and listen to myself and figure out what I need to express.
Where do you see yourself in 5 Years?
Doing this
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I coach children football for Clapham Rangers FC and DJ at the Amersham Arms in New Cross.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go into the music scene?
The Magnificent Seven – The Clash. Josh and I performed it live when we were 16 at Mick Jones’ Carbon Casino club night in the late 2000s
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Speak less, do more
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Practice Practice Practice. Not just the music, everything
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
‘Don’t gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold,’ Bob Marley
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
