Weekly > Interviews
Screaming Lights
Regardless of whether or not you read the hot tips list for 2009 that will appear in every publication (including ours) and they don’t feature in them…in fact it doesn’t even matter if you haven’t heard of them at the moment, within a month or two of next year you will probably know every chord and every word that Screaming Lights have committed to music.
They are a Merseyside band who are very much on the up, they are also anything but a beat combo before you start thinking about The Beatles and they don’t do sea shanties if you were about to say The Coral, instead they have a more epic feel to their musical soundscapes.
The first release you need to be aware of is the double a-side single GMN / Glow which will be released in January, we caught up with lead singer James Treadell to find out how they had found their support slot with The Mystery Jets, how they were coping with the musical heritage of the City and a little bit more about that double a-side release.
You’re a band from Liverpool, the musical heritage of the City usually weighs quite heavily on new bands shoulders that emerge from there, how have you found it so far?
I haven’t really thought about it. To be honest the musical heritage of the city has sort of made me want to go against the grain of anything people would expect from a Liverpool band. I still think that some amazing music has come from Liverpool though.
I suppose one of the things that helps you is that you aren’t listing your influences and favorite artists as obvious reference points, a quick look on MySpace for anyone will see you have DJ Shadow, Two Lone Swordsmen and LCD Soundsystem as top friends!
Yes, I am starting to recognize the difference between influencing and inspiring. I think that the artists in the top 8 are the people who inspired creativity but not necessarily influence the sound of the band.
How is the scene in Liverpool at the moment, from an outsider looking in it seems to be a lot more vibrant and diverse than it has been for years?
I don’t really know. There seems to be a big dance music scene. I think it’s hard for bands anywhere because there are so many new artists.
You recently supported The Mystery Jets how did that come about and how was the experience of playing to bigger crowds?
Our agent got us on the tour. Playing to bigger crowds was much better, I think we felt that we were really trying to prove ourselves.
Have you played with anyone else in the last six months that have really impressed you?
Late of the Pier, they are so unique and are fantastic live.
Weblinks
Add to favouritesYou have a new double a-side single coming out on the 19th January, can you tell us about the two tracks and if they are a fair indication of what to expect from Screaming Lights?
GMN was a song that I wrote when I was very young, I have always loved Dance music so I think it just came through me. Like GMN, Glow I wrote quite a long time ago- I love guitars. As an indication to what’s to come I’m not sure, we do vary a lot….however it’s definitely the right vibe to start on.
You’ve had good support so far from Zane Lowe, what was it like the first time you heard yourselves on the radio?
Fucking strange! But very rewarding. We were all so happy we finally got some radio.
2009 is just around the corner, what have you got lined up for the year ahead that you know about so far?
We will be going into the studio to make our first record, which we are so excited about. From the beginning it has always been about recording our songs, apart from that I’m not sure. We anticipate lots of touring.
Final question, as this is going in our Christmas issue, what is the worst music related Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
A bike!
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