What are your names?
Rado, Ivo, Blago and Dennis
What is the bands name?
R: Hayes & Y
How did you come up with the bands name?
R: We wanted something recognisable and unique, had a few options on the table and went for this one. There’s a low division football club with the same name, I think that’s where the idea came from, but I might be wrong on this one, it was a while ago.
What is your genre of music?
R: We’re a rock band, so I guess it’s indie rock, but we usually avoid putting labels on our music.
Give us a little bio about you.
R: We’re 3 guys from Bulgaria that starting playing together back in high school and ever since then we’ve been in the band. We’ve been living in the same apartment for the past 3 years, which definitely helps in the process of making music and keeping the band going.
What made you go in to music?
I: Music has always been a huge part of my life and I can’t really remember a time when I didn’t have a pair of headphones glued to my head. Luckily when I was in high school it just so happened that Blago and Rado had started the band and asked me to join. Back then it was just something to pass the time after school but it quickly evolved into something much more and as they say, the rest is history.
Are you a signed?
No, very independent.
Your set to release your new single ‘Disaster’, tell us more about the single.
R: It’s a song that we’ve had for a while and always received positive reaction from the audience when playing it live, so we decided that it’s time we recorded it. It’s a bit more guitar driven and aggressive than our latest releases, but I think it still brings our own style and sound in it.
What is the meaning behind the single?
B: It has a lot to do with celebrity culture and its meaningless.
Describe the track in two words.
R: Raw power.
I: Big balls.
What was the writing process like?
B: Very quick, as you would expect with a song like this. It also changed a bit in live performances, which we rarely have the luxury to do.
What was the recording process like?
R: We record our tracks in our home studio, which gives us plenty of time and options to both experiment and perfect the recording. It was fun, I think everyone in the band was challenged by different bits in it and we’re very happy with the end result.
Who did you work with on the single?
B: Gethin Pearson mixed it, we’ve worked with him for a while now and have a very strong bond. I think he gets us very well. Nigel Walton mastered it.
We also see a music video, what was the creative process like?
B: Hard to tell you really, we try to keep the creative process going all the time, so we end up with different ideas that get used at different times. This one had existed for a while.
Do you have any shows coming up?
R: We have gigs lined up for December, including a Manchester headline show at The Castle on the 10th. We’re also going back to Bulgaria in the end of the year for our biggest show up to date, it’s gonna be massive.
I: We also have an upcoming show in London on the 5th of December at Notting Hill Arts Club supporting Tin Pigeons along with Hoofa.
What else can we expect in 2019?
B: We’re currently writing our next songs, but you’ll probably get them in 2020.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Of course. We’re pretty easy to reach through our socials.
Do you play any instruments?
I: Mostly bass guitar, though I have been lately getting into synths and keys.
B: Dennis plays drums, I sing and play the guitar and Rado plays the guitar as well.
Who are your influences?
R: Everyone in the band listens to different stuff, which is very helpful, as we get various inspirations. I think we’re all 80s influenced, as it’s the thing happening at the moment, but I also like many artists ranging from Pink Floyd to Tame Impala.
I: Funk, rock, chilled vibes, anything that gets me grooving along to the rhythm. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Franc Moody, Parcels and Her.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
B: It’s really hard to sum up, it comes in different forms, but you have to look for it as well.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
B: We’re just looking to keep growing as a band and we’ll see where it takes us.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
R: I enjoy watching and sometimes practicing sports, also into movies and books.
I: I’m a video game addict, otherwise I love snowboarding, hiking and rock climbing.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
I: So many to choose from. I’d have to say whichever is currently stuck on repeat and makes me want to pick up my bass and learn it. Off the top of my head, Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
I: Never go out for the night with the sole intention of drinking “only one beer”.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
B: Never settle.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
I: Keep calm and carry on
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
I: Any of the major parks during summer evenings, when there’s lots of people and the beer flows like water.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? I: If we’re touring Bulgaria then back home to Sofia and hopefully the nearest mountain or climbing gym. Failing that, the park next door for a beer with some mates.
2/ Who do you see first? I: Family and friends, naturally.
3/What do you eat first? I: Donner kebab, Sofia has the best ones.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
I: Duct tape, spare set of strings, an extra cable, your own actual instrument and a positive vibe.
B: Don’t forget the smile.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
R: Yeah, sure. This is our FB page, official website and IG profile
