This week we hear from Rebel Soul Collective, who describe themselves as 'dance/indie alchemists evolving out of 90s chemical rave'. They take sample material, dancefloor-lifted electronic noises and combine with vocals, guitar and drums.
How long have you been making music?
The band has been together about 3 years, but we have all been in bands before and have been keen musicians all our lives.
What inspired your latest single/EP/album?
Our forthcoming single Fallout was actually inspired by the recent riots. The song reflects the fallout of events like this in local communities and neighbourhoods. I am not condoning the riots in any way but some of the song also refers to what may have pushed some people to behave in the way that they did. We are not a political band in any way but I think sometimes you can’t help but write about things that are going on around you? The single is out on 20 February 2012 and will be followed up by our new EP 12 weeks later.
What process do you go through to create your music?
We have a really collaborative way of writing our music; we normally start with some electronic hooks normally produced by our guitarist (Matt) or our drummer (Pete). The ideas are then normally banded around online to each other before we take them to rehearsal where I add vocal melodies and lyrics, and the other guitarists (Jim & Tony) add the rest. We then just work away until something really grabs us all. I think it’s important to have an idea of what we are trying to achieve before we sit down together as it gives each band member an opportunity to bring something with them to the rehearsal room that they have worked on in private, takes the pressure off and makes our sessions much more productive.
How would you describe your sound?
Our bio describes us as dance/indie alchemists realised within the contemporary dance music soundscape. Our new sounds are infusing a really strong dance influence; this is a taste of things to come in 2012.
In the past there's been a slight tendency for us to kind of throw the synths in the background of our music, almost as an afterthought. As our songwriting and arrangements have progressed, there's maybe a bit less going on in our songs - things perhaps aren't quite so cluttered - and we're featuring that side of our sound much more effectively.
What would your dream collaboration be?
I would love to do a track with Primal Scream, they have influenced so much of our music, and I think we share similar characteristics with regards to trying to diversify what we are trying to achieve. I was also given some very memorable advice from Bobby Gillespie about 6 years ago and have never forgotten his wise words, I feel like I owe them!!
Where can we catch you performing next?
We have just finished a string of huge gigs in the UK and in Asia, we won’t be gigging again in 2011, but will be releasing our new gig list for the first half of 2012 in the next few weeks, should be an exciting schedule as we tie it all into our single and EP release.
www.rebelsoulcollective.com
www.facebook.com/rebelsoulcollective
www.soundcloud.com/rebel-soul-collective
How long have you been making music?
The band has been together about 3 years, but we have all been in bands before and have been keen musicians all our lives.
What inspired your latest single/EP/album?
Our forthcoming single Fallout was actually inspired by the recent riots. The song reflects the fallout of events like this in local communities and neighbourhoods. I am not condoning the riots in any way but some of the song also refers to what may have pushed some people to behave in the way that they did. We are not a political band in any way but I think sometimes you can’t help but write about things that are going on around you? The single is out on 20 February 2012 and will be followed up by our new EP 12 weeks later.
What process do you go through to create your music?
We have a really collaborative way of writing our music; we normally start with some electronic hooks normally produced by our guitarist (Matt) or our drummer (Pete). The ideas are then normally banded around online to each other before we take them to rehearsal where I add vocal melodies and lyrics, and the other guitarists (Jim & Tony) add the rest. We then just work away until something really grabs us all. I think it’s important to have an idea of what we are trying to achieve before we sit down together as it gives each band member an opportunity to bring something with them to the rehearsal room that they have worked on in private, takes the pressure off and makes our sessions much more productive.
How would you describe your sound?
Our bio describes us as dance/indie alchemists realised within the contemporary dance music soundscape. Our new sounds are infusing a really strong dance influence; this is a taste of things to come in 2012.
In the past there's been a slight tendency for us to kind of throw the synths in the background of our music, almost as an afterthought. As our songwriting and arrangements have progressed, there's maybe a bit less going on in our songs - things perhaps aren't quite so cluttered - and we're featuring that side of our sound much more effectively.
What would your dream collaboration be?
I would love to do a track with Primal Scream, they have influenced so much of our music, and I think we share similar characteristics with regards to trying to diversify what we are trying to achieve. I was also given some very memorable advice from Bobby Gillespie about 6 years ago and have never forgotten his wise words, I feel like I owe them!!
Where can we catch you performing next?
We have just finished a string of huge gigs in the UK and in Asia, we won’t be gigging again in 2011, but will be releasing our new gig list for the first half of 2012 in the next few weeks, should be an exciting schedule as we tie it all into our single and EP release.
www.rebelsoulcollective.com
www.facebook.com/rebelsoulcollective
www.soundcloud.com/rebel-soul-collective
