What are your names?
Charlie Sinclair (Vocals and occasional piano and guitar), George Le Page (Drums), Kyle Torode (Guitar and occasional piano), Darcy Calton (Guitar).
What is the band’s name?
Bright Orange Spectacle
How did you come up with the band’s name?
I actually saw it in a dream… which sounds ridiculous and I almost hate saying, but seriously I did! It was above the Eventim Apollo and I thought “wow that’s a ridiculous band name, imagine if someone did that?” Two years later and here we are.
What is your genre of music?
Millennial glam. We refuse to be labelled as another indie band because that word quite literally means nothing anymore. There is no definition to what an indie band actually sounds like at this point in time… it could be rock, it could be pop. If it has a guitar, it’s indie and that’s just confusing for a new band. We are Millennial glam.
Give us a little bio about you.
Myself, Kyle and George all grew up together on a small island called Guernsey. We played in bands with each other for years… well me and Kyle did, George actually played in much better bands than us at the time – there was a bit of rivalry between the two of us! We’ve all been in the UK doing various music things for 4/5 years now getting on with it. Then when I met Darcy through her girlfriend I started to piece us together that the four of us would play amazingly as a group and here we are.
What made you go into music?
An early obsession with Guns N Roses. I just wanted to be Axel dancing around stage in his underwear. I don’t think really ever liked the whole stereotype thing of sex, drugs and rock n roll, I just liked the idea of performing. I was always an actor and theatre kid before anything else but over time I just really started to develop a relationship with music and now here we are. I was about 14 when I started really putting effort in – I realised that to be that performer I needed the songs as well.
Are you a signed?
Absolutely not. Record labels are weird, and they scare me.
You’re set to release your new single ‘I Struggle To Communicate’, tell us more about the single.
We recorded the whole thing between mine and Kyle’s flat and pissed off a few people with the noise. It was produced and mixed by myself and the artwork and video were created by our good pal JGR Fletcher who has been co-creatively directing the project along with myself from day one.
What is the meaning behind the single?
It’s a song about losing your understanding of the world due to trying too hard to understand it. Everything is very complicated right now and bands are becoming more and more expected to take a political and social stand. BUT what happens if you don’t feel informed enough or intelligent enough to take that stand? I don’t want to say the wrong thing… I don’t want to offend or hurt anyone and I don’t want to back anything I don’t fully understand. So this is me, telling you I don’t get it and that I need to be a better person and start to understand how to help the world grow into a better place. I’m taking steps, I went vegan this year and I’m absolutely for the whole sustainable fashion movement… but I don’t feel ready to start preaching, I’ve got too much work to do on me first.
Describe the track in two words.
Fucking brilliant.
What was the writing process like?
It was one of those instant songs. They don’t come along too often… but sometimes you get home from work and within ten minutes it’s just poured out of you. I was working on 2 or 3 different songs that I just wasn’t nailing at the time… so this was a relief. I didn’t know what I wanted to say and when I stopped thinking about it something really personal and true came out.
What was the recording process like?
A lot of fun. We really had to hustle with this one. Sneaking drum takes at universities and building vocal booths in front rooms… all the “we have no money” stuff. I’m shocked we managed to make it sound so professional without spending a penny on it.
Who did you work with on the single?
Just the four of us and our lovely session bassist Maddy.
Will we see a music video?
You will indeed! JGR Fletcher directed it with us and once again we did the whole thing for £0. We actually turned up at Central St Martins one Sunday morning and told them we were students that had booked the main studio… after a few sad looks and pleading they actually let us in… we couldn’t believe it. 7 people in the main CSM studio… none of which went to uni there. I hope they don’t read this because we will totally need that studio again.
Will we see an EP or Album anytime soon and if so what can we expect?
We are aiming towards an EP… consider this the first single of a collection of music. How that collection with eventually be presented is still being discussed.
Do you have any shows coming up?
We are joining Spinn at the Garage on December 5th which is going to be amazing and then that’s it for this year… back into ‘studio’ (my front room) to make the next few singles!
If so where will you be heading?
London!
What else can we expect in 2019/Early 2020?
We will get you more music.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any upcoming artists?
Sadly no.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Just DM us on Instagram! We love all music so we are up for whatever.
Do you play any instruments?
Between the four of us we cover a pretty wide range. We all play the usual bass, drums, guitar and piano combo and then I think George brings cello in on top of that.
Who are your influences?
Arcade Fire, David Bowie, New Order, My Chemical Romance, The National, Broken Social Scene
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
I just hope that I have something to say. I guess you just have to live your life and observe others living theirs. Writing lyrics is a narrative skill, so you need to build those narratives.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I really hope I have a dog. I think George will probably have a really good beard. Darcy will be a lecturer when we aren’t touring or recording, I reckon… she’s very patient. I literally have no idea what Kyle will be doing… but that’s a statement i could apply to literally any given day.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I manage a little indie cinema in London… it’s as romantic and cliche as it sounds.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
The new Bombay song definitely focussed my attention this year.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
“That’s the thing. I don’t think I believe in deep down. I kinda think that all you are is just the things that you do.” – Diane, Bojack Horseman
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Tell the truth. Recognise your flaws. Improve. Practise. Be patient. Be your own biggest fan. Look and the mirror. See yourself through others eyes.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Urgh” – George Le Page,
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
The Little Chapel.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? – HOME!
2/ Who do you see first? – Myself in without the context of other people for a while. I like being alone and you don’t get that chance on tour.
3/What do you eat first? – Probably a bowl of granola… I doubt I’ve had time to go shopping yet but I’m sure there’s some breakfast stuff knocking about.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Ear protection, beer money, ID, change of clothes and your toothbrush.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Just search Bright Orange Spectacle on all the relevant platforms and we shall appear!
