From time to time, one of our contributors will recommend an artist/band they think deserves your attention. No record labels, PR companies, bands or band’s management will ever have made these recommendations. It is simply one music fan putting their taste on the line in the hope of sharing good music. The questions are intended to give just a basic introduction to possibly your new favourite artist/band.
So without further ado, let’s crack on with another introduction, in which Silent Radio’s editor Simon Poole recommends The Colours for your audible delectation.
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The Colours
Who are ya?
My name’s Joe, and along with Jake, Gerald and Ben, we play in a band called The Colours
Where are you from?
We’re all from Blackpool originally, with 2 of us now residing in Manchester
How long have you been doing what you’re doing now?
The 4 of us have been playing together since 2011, but we had a year out in 2013 because Jake and myself needed to graduate from university. We’ve been back at it for just under a year now.
Is being a musician your full time job?
Unfortunately not at the moment, Jake works at a graphics shop in Blackpool, Ben works at a sports store where he wears shorts all day, Gerald in his final year at university studying music and I work in Legoland.
Are there any obvious influences in your music?
We’re all into the same kind of music pretty much so I’d imagine that people can hear some of the stuff we’re into. Things like The Maccabees and Bloc Party have been really big influences of ours but we’ve been told more than any other band that we sound like The Cure which is a bit peculiar as we can never hear that ourselves. Better to sound like The Cure than the Towers of London I guess though. (Towers of London were a band around in 06/07, give them a Google if you don’t already know)
Are there any not so obvious influences in your music?
Not really, but Ben and Jake have an extensive knowledge of bands that were around in 2007 and only released maybe 1 or 2 albums like Good Shoes and Eight Legs so maybe there’s some of that sentiment in there.
Any musical Guilty Pleasures? Come on you can share, we’re all friends here!
I can’t really speak for anyone else here, but I’ve very recently been listening to more of Taylor Swifts new stuff. I realise that that’s probably the least rock and roll thing to say ever, but everything I hear sounds pretty catchy and I’m a sucker for the lyrics in a song and one of them had awesome lyrics in them, Blank Space I think it was called.
Apart from yourself of course, what other band/artist would you recommend our readers check out?
There’s a band in Blackpool called ‘Go Around Captain’ who are really good. They’ve got a Biffy Clyro-esque thing going on with how their songs are structured and put together. I’ve seen them a few times and they always perform to a really high standard.
Tell us about the defining moment when you thought ‘Fuck, yes I want to be a musician!’
There was a time when I was 14/15 when these really bad gigs were put on by a band in Blackpool which used to be really busy and popular because kids just used to get drunk there, the popularity of it however made me think that maybe this music thing could be worth a bash. There was a time as well when Jake used to show me new bands or songs on a weekly basis and from that I built up my taste in music. Once I found these bands like Foals and The Maccabees I just wanted to make music and play it to people.
Does what goes on, on tour, stay on tour?
Not really because we used to film it and put it on YouTube for everyone to see haha. Touring is the best thing ever though, we always used to have such a laugh in the places we used to stay and stuff. And it gave us a reason to pack up the car and hit the road once in a blue moon which not everyone has the possibility of doing.
What’s your most favourite gig (as a gig goer)?
I’ve been to loads of gigs all over the place, but the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool has been the place I’ve seen the best gigs. I was lucky enough to see Arcade Fire there when they played there last year and it blew my mind. Any venue in Manchester though is quality, especially the Academy.
Who, in your wildest dreams would you like to collaborate with/be produced by?
I’ve never really thought about that kind of thing to be honest, I’m so over ambitious when it comes to making music though that I’d love to dabble in all sorts. I write 99% of the lyrics so to do something with those for someone else could be cool, I’ve always liked the thought of using horns and strings in a song as well. So yeah, basically any horns or string section ever haha.
Best place for people to find out what you are up to?
We’ve got all social media bases covered, and we bloody love a good natter with people:
facebook.com/thecoloursmusic
twitter.com/thecoloursmusic
youtube.com/thecoloursuk
soundcloud.com/thecoloursmusic
thecoloursband.tumblr.com
Anything to declare?
I’d love to declare that our second E.P is coming along slowly but surely, we’re over half way through recording it and are going to be sorting out the artwork for it super soon. Other than that I’d like to say thanks to anyone that’s read this far down, and hopefully you’ll invest some interest in our future work.
Cheers!
