What is your name?
Gid (short for Gideon) Sedgwick
What is your genre of music?
For me it’s a bit of a mix, between electronic indie pop, house, and some gritty vocals singing bleaker lyrics.
Give us a little bio about you.
I’m 24 and first picked up my dad’s fender before the age of 10, back then I just thought it would be cool to be a “rock star” and now, 20 or so years on I still think it’s cool!
I’ve been in loads of bands, as a guitarist, bass player, singer etc. but my most recent band Following Foxes was my favourite of them all and I enjoyed the music we were making…but… since disbanding, I’ve found my love of bands and electronic DJ music fusing together – now I’m at a point where I 100% believe in the music I’m creating.
Tell us more about your music.
So, with Ochos it’s kind of taken a mixture of my love for all styles of music and put them together in a new way, you’ve got the positive, uplifting & somewhat dancy drum tracks mixed with a more macabre style of singing (bit eerie for the verses) then the chorus’s a bit quicker spoken.
You are set to release your single ‘Ochos’, tell us more about it.
Release date 5th Jan 2018, just hoping to signify this as the start of a big year to come – I’m pumped!
What was the writing process like?
I’m churning out tunes sometimes as many as 3 – 5 a week!? And a LOT of them are shit. To be honest with you, when I started writing Ochos… it was just like every other track. Nothing special.
As I produce in my bedroom I’m always humming along random melody lines that could work for when it’s vocal ready, was around about this time I started feeling some potential vibes for Ochos
What was the recording process like?
Recording took place about 8 minutes after the music was near enough finished, I unplugged the Launchpad and swapped it out for the audio interface & mic, I took the melodies I’d tested out and then I just starting thinking about something I know, or something I witnessed – then that’s where the lyrics come from. Each song I do mostly reflects things I’ve done in my life, but not word for word – there’s gotta be some mystery In there too! Some people have diaries, some have photo albums to document their lives – my songs are my diary, one day I’ll listen back and remember all those memories.
Quite funny recording because It was back when living at my parents’ house, they had friends round for some dinner party so I was hiding in my room being the antisocial killjoy – so I was purposely singing very quietly into the mic so I didn’t disturb them, and to avoid that hot topic of communication “my haven’t you grown?!”
Tell us more about the naming process.
I think I wrote it not long after watching some breaking bad, and they cut their business in eighths. And in old Spanish Eight = “Ochos” As you’ll hear in the first chorus “we don’t know anyone selling Ochos!” It is the lead single off your new album, tell us more about it.Ochos is the 1st track on 8 track album / Ep Titled “Ochos”
What can we expect from it?
Relatable scenarios which I know many will share. Some of which over the top of more upbeat dancy numbers balanced in with a few softer (sadder) songs but still with the electronic production. Plus, shit loads of harmonies throughout as that’s my guilty pleasure.
Describe each track in two words.
01. Ochos – Sad but True
02. Call em’ Up – Poggled, Weird
03. Paperclip – Relationship, Freedom
04. Two Up To The Rich – Hierarchy, Myth
05. Substance of Sustenance – Drugs, Depression
06. You Can’t Say Nothing Bout Me – Pressure, Cycles
07. Sugarman – Augmented, Reality
08. Born Bored Kids – Gallivanting, Adventure
Do you have any gigs or a tour coming up?
No gigs booked at the moment, but really looking forward to getting this music to translate from the record to the live show – I’m currently joined by Alex and George who will be playing guitars and harmonising the vocals alongside me doing main vocals and triggering the Launchpad. Relying on a certain amount of equipment we’ll have to hope nothing shuts down or crashes mid set! But even if it did… Well that’s so rock n roll!
If so where will you be heading?
Mainly the local circuit around surrey and London, then hopefully we’ll be at the stage where we can support some similar style acts.
Are you a signed?
No, seeking new opportunities though – if you’re into it, give me a shout!
Who are your influences?
Proper mix-up… City & Colour, Pink Floyd, Manchester Orchestra, The 1975, Pale Waves, Post Malone, Michael Buble, Goldfinger, Sum 41, Blink 182, All Get Out, Band of Horses, Ben Howard, Linkin Park, Funeral For a Friend, Coheed & Cambria, Haim, (oldschool Greenday), Half-Moon Run, You me at six, The Story So Far, SR-71, The Naked & Famous, Paramore, Mumford & Sons, Moderat, MGMT… The list goes on.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
In 5 years’ time, I hope to be a master of music production as I’m fully self-taught on that side of things, there’s still so much endless knowledge we can learn because the technology is ever growing in this industry.
My Childhood dream to be a rock star… inches closer.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
When I’m not playing music, I work teaching students with special needs how to DJ and give an overall introduction to radio on behalf of KaneFM103.7
For Me – Meeting new people every day and showing them how to make music is rad!
I also like to play local poker nights since me and a mate when to Vegas and did pretty well on the Snake eyes, craps game… yup we caught the Vegas bug!
And very randomly I qualified for the national UK poker final and finished 2nd
So, I guess I’m the national runner up of the UK champions poker league! Ha
Where would your dream venue to play in your hometown?
GLive Guildford, working with their stage crew I could guarantee a spectacular show with the help of the in-house gear.
Would you be up for collaborating with an unsigned artist or band? If so how can they contact you?
I’m always keen to work with others, best to find me on facebook
email Gid.Sedgwick@Gyrosystem.co.uk
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Couldn’t single out a particular song – I love all styles of music, and musical talent runs in the family, it’s the only thing I’m good at & I love it so I want to pursue it.
Where is your dream festival to perform?
Aiming high, would have to say Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds etc.
What made you go in to music?
Let’s be honest, it’s way more fun that joining the corporate castle.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Question everything. Talent will sustain you forever.
“Make your memories now cause when you’re old like me, you want something good to remember” (Great Aunt – Vancouver, Canada)
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not just about the industry also just as an artist/band?
Dream big for yourself cause no one else will. When things don’t quite work out (which is a lot in music) use that to drive your motivation forwards!
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Make your memories now cause when you’re old like me, you want something good to remember”
(at least I try to!)
When you are at a gig, what are things you cannot forget?
My old band Following Foxes used to have a pre-gig KFC ritual – Always bring a spare top, because if you’re like me you’ll get gravy all over a white T-shirt! Luckily, I was playing guitar for the set & it hid the stain.
You come off Tour…
I’ve never been on a ‘proper’ tour so I wouldn’t be able to answer fully, but I think it would be –
1/ Where is the first place you go? Home & shower.
2/Who is the first person you see? Probably my flat mate Sam as we live together (Hi Sam!)
3/What is the first thing you eat. Dominoes & must be stuffed crust or there’s just no point –
Or if I’m broke after tour which is likely, then my speciality –
4 frankfurter hotdogs, 2 bits of whole grain bread, Hellman’s mayo for the win, ketchup, little bit of HP and grate some cheese on that – Strong!
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
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