Eternal Fox Q&A

Your name: 

Michael Fox.

Where are you from?

Hailing all the way from Oxford.

Artist name:

Eternal Fox.

How would you describe yourselves and your music? 

I think me and my music surprise each other because it changes genre from time to time because I feel like if I kept releasing the same sound people would get bored as well as myself. Also the music mainly a way to express myself in a weird and wonderful way. I also think now that I've changed my artist name away from Mikeey I can really stick to my roots and remember to be myself and have a fresh clean start!

Who are your main influences musically?

I have so many inspirations in the music industry, but when doing pop my inspirations come from Marina and the Diamonds, Shamir Bailey and Sia. In an indie sense of influence Lana Del Rey, Gabriella Cilmi, Clare Maguire and Tom O'dell. In a rock genre my major influences are Marilyn Manson, Against Me! and Placebo. My rap influences are Kanye West, ASAP ROCKY, Azealia Banks, DEV and Brooke Candy.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I just want to release music and occasionally make enough money from it to make videos and more music and that's all I want.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

My highlight must have been being able to feature in a music video by Candy Says. I think this is my main highlight because it's getting my face out there and I can always look back on it to keep me rooted and stay true to myself.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I want to forget all these name changes and old music which I really never connected to.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Well in fact I actually haven't released any music under this name yet but if I have to choose a song it would be "Model, Maybe Actor".

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/iammikeey/model-maybe-actor

Where can we find out more about your music?

My main archive is Twitter follow me there www.twitter.com/@mikeey_fox

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?

Keep an eye out for the new music under my refreshed name and prepare for the ride!

Mikeey Lets Them Hang

GRUNGE pop artist Mikeey has released new track Let Them Hang.

The singer, from Oxford, England, got in touch with RealSoundsOK to tell us about the song. He said: "I wrote it for a little EP I was working on after the Mikeey EP, but then I thought 'fuck it, why not make an album?' because this track was a sudden change in my current genre of music.

"In its own right it deserved to be an album, especially after recording the vocals, it just really hit me because I shared my recording pattern and vulnerability behind the scenes of producing a record with someone new when I was the main role behind the record.

"I am really grateful for Daniella helping me make this into what it is today and helping me overcome some nervous feeling of working with someone else!

"The lyrical process behind this record was far too quick (I wrote the lyrics in 30 minutes). I feel like it was right the first time but that soon changed when I got to the studio and dropped a verse off the song and removed the synth from the track entirely and because of this I believe it sounds a lot more raw and real!

"My favourite lyric in this song would have to be: “The Holy Father said you’ll soon be dead”. I think this is my favourite line because it is telling the story and to be told that you’re going to die is ground-breaking for anyone and that is the time we all pray for a miracle!"

To keep updated with the progress of the Show Me Secret Sins record, visit twitter.com/mikeey_fox or facebook.com/IAmMikeeyLove

Mikeey Q&A

Your name: 

Michael Fox.

Where are you from? 

Oxford, England.

Name of band: 

Mikeey.

How would you describe yourselves?  

I'd describe myself as a antichrist pop artist (although i'm not against anyone's beliefs) maybe a little grunge pop...I guess it's really hard to fit me into one category or a few as i keep jumping and mixing many genres in music records.

Who are your main influences musically?

I think it's artists and emotions that influence me to write music from the likes of Charli XCX to Marilyn Manson...I tend to find it's not a particular sound which attracts me but the style of vocals, the inner meaning of the lyrics and the stories which they're telling.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I would love to be able to live off the music which I create and maybe be able to tour many countries and with many amazing artists/bands such as myself or just write an entire album with Lana Del Rey either way I'm happy to release my music for a small fee or for free!

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

The highlight of my career would be being told that I'm different in the music scene by many successful artists and to know that Interscope are watching me closely (hopefully they still are).

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I would love to forget my first record "Sleeping With Your Bestfriend" it was just so cheesy and weren't really my style at all...but there's one or two great tracks on there which I may redo! but ugh so much hype to be brought back right down!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

If I had to choose it'll have to be "Tired Of Singing The Blues" because it's realistic and sounds very different from most tracks i've released and I was really happy with the final version of the song!

Where can we listen to it?

http://mikeeylove.bandcamp.com/album/tired-of-singing-the-blues

Where can we find out more about your music?

My website - www.mikeeymusic.weebly.com

Soundcloud - www.soundcloud.com/IAMMIKEEY

Twitter - @mikeey_fox

Facebook - www.facebook.com/IAMMIKEEYLOVE

Bandcamp - http://mikeeylove.bandcamp.com/

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

Keep an eye out for my upcoming album "MIKEEY" which should be out in March :)

The Calm Q&A

Your name:

The Calm.

Where are you from?

Oxford, England.

Who else is in your band?

Solo artist, but have a live band for concerts, currently Edmond Yu (Keys), Tom Watt (Guitar/Trumpet) & Rafe Garrett (Drums).

How would you describe yourself?

The music of The Calm is meant to represent.

Who are your main influences musically?

Vocally - The Weeknd. In terms of song structures, a lot of classical composers - wrote a song with the same sequence as the Pachelbel Cannon (that's a baroque piece for those of you who don't know). I draw a lot on classical form and features of the period, so don't expect my music just to contain the same boring/shit I-vi-IV-V progressions which are used in every other pop song - I incorporate interesting chord sequences (like the Phrygian cadence : IVb-V in a minor key) and stuff like suspensions in songs I write. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Hahahaha what a question - too much to be honest. My main aim would obviously to have my music world-renowned (doesn't every indie artist want that? ;)) - but my long term goal is to change the face of modern music. I want people to understand that the music industry is so fucking flawed at the minute that it's unreal - nearly everyone sounds the same, no major artists write any of their songs - there is no originality. I can't help but think that artists of the 90s/80s/70s earlier are ashamed of an industry they helped shape has become. When you play a Beatles song you know it's the Beatles, when you play an Oasis track you know it's Oasis, when you spin a Queen hit you know it's Queen - EVERY band/singer had their own sound - can you say that about the majority of artists these days? There are very few...

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

The live gigs we've done locally at the O2 academy in Oxford to never more than a couple of hundred people, usually all people we know. These performances have been electric and will never be forgotten!

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Probably one time where I (almost) got booed off stage for a flawless performance of a track at my mate's gig - fucking depressing man!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Umm well most of them haven't been recorded yet! But I've released a single called Shattered Love which is doing OK. Personally though, I'd say if there's one song which represents me best lyrically wise it is a song called I Will Never Leave. It is a very simple track with just piano and vocals (plus a bit of cello) with my voice, but this song is all about the lyrics - they're really deep, and they don't mean what they think you do. This song ain't about a girl!

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/thecalmmmmm/i-will-never-leave

Where can we find out more about your music?

https://www.facebook.com/thecalmmmmm

https://twitter.com/thecalmmmmm

https://www.youtube.com/user/thecalmmmmm

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

Enough already mate! ;) - oh yeh actually check out my music video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kbZzwRVsAI

Smilex Q&A

Your name:

Lee Christian.

Where are you from?

I live in Bath now but the band is from and born in Oxford.

Name of band:

Smilex (named after a toxic chemical Batman villain the Joker uses to kill people with a smile on their face).

Who else is in your band?

Tom Sharp - guitar and vocals, Pat Holmberg - drums, Liv Luce - bass. I'm the singer (loosely defined!)

How would you describe yourselves?

Alternative rock I guess: Arty and melodic but heavy and in your face. Kick ass live. Nice people with problems.

Who are your main influences musically?

We all have our own tastes but the stuff that unifies the band and is reflected in it's sound would be: Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Pixies, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Tool, Deftones, At the Drive-in, Guns and Roses, Led Zeppelin and Beavis & Butthead's vocal impressions of classic riffs from yesteryear...

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Fight the good fight against all the meaningless style-over-substance commercial drivel and make an argument for intelligent (tho not TOO intelligent - that would spoil everything!) But visceral rock. Always get better.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

The creation and release of Smilex's debut '7' as it is pretty much exactly the record I wanted to make and also resulted in working with Ace from Skunk Anansie, a band that we all love. Also getting Playmusic's award for best live act 2010 was nice as our live show is very important to us!

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

The sales of '7' that followed! Plus a couple of nights picking glass out of my head after a hectic gig!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Old album - Ape Pig Man as it is one of 7 direct kicks to the balls. The new album - I'm still too close to tell. 

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/smilex/ape-pig-man

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.smilex.co.uk
www.facebook.com/smilexband
www.youtube.com/smilexvideos
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/smilex/id213490413
www.soundcloud.com/smilex
www.smilex.bandcamp.com
www.twitter.com/_smilex_
 

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

We're not trying to be rich or famous: Both have become very crass & tacky (if they were not always!). I want to give people something for their heads, hearts, feet and maybe loins to feel engaged/excited by! 

The Trophy Cabinet Q&A

Your name: 

Phil Kelly.

Where are you from?

Oxford... with travelling members from Leeds and Bury St Edmunds, England.

Name of band:

The Trophy Cabinet.

Who is in your band?

Jim Fewtrelll.... Composition, vocals, guitar

Steve Burholt... keyboards

Chris Wilbraham... Guitar and backing vocals

Dips... drums

Phil Kelly - Lead Bass

How would you describe yourselves?

Mellow reflective indie.... Like a more level-headed less frenetic Wedding Present; chiming guitars and literate understated lyrics.

Who are your main influences musically?

80's Indie - House Of Love, Cure, James, The Wedding Present, The Sundays, Lloyd Cole, The Go-Betweens, New Order, Woodentops.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Leave a legacy of timeless well written songs, with some great memories from our live shows and get heard by a few more people.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Supporting The Wedding Present on the big stage at the O2 in Oxford. It was our comeback gig and the wonderful Mr Gedge arranged for it to happen as I was heading back in to hospital shortly after. Massive stage, great sound, very very loud and all our fans turned out!

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Deciding to give it up and get real jobs first time round.

If you had to choose just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Oooh that's a hard one..... probably Gliding; it is a bit slower than our normal stuff, but has real feeling and has stood the test of time. Also has a few different phases; shades of light and dark.... that is what we do in the other songs... i.e. not follow a formula.

Where can we listen to it?

http://thetrophycabinet.bandcamp.com/

Where can we find out more about your music?

Full O2 Short Documentary - http://vimeo.com/18457024

http://trophycabinet.amazingtunes.com/

www.myspace.com/555159221

Youtube gliding - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-3z3vxmeUE&feature=youtu.be

Youtube Bridport - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK-VW5T-wpQ&feature=youtu.be

Anything else you’d like to say that I forgot to ask?

I have been involved in the Rankin project... Alive: In The Face Of Death. My portrait now hangs in The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. We have released Gliding as a double B side single to support charities involved in the project. Rankin, the world famous photographer has been kind enough to let us use one of his pictures as the cover
Rankin Alive Interview: youtu.be/2x65262_x2g

http://www.liverpoolconfidential.co.uk/Culture/Arts/ALIVE-In-The-Face-Of-Death-Rankin-Walker-Art-Gallery

ArtClassSink Q&A

Your name:

Samuel Edwards.

Where are you from?

Oxford, England.

Name of band:

ArtClassSink.

Who else is in your band?

Joe Biggs, Jack Pilston and Elliot Benoist.

How would you describe yourselves?

Shoegaze pop/indie rock/alternative/ 80's influenced erring on the side of the The Smiths and The Cure.

Who are your main influences musically?

We are into a lot of music, 60's psychedelia, 80's shoegazing. Bowie, Joy Division, Foals.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

To inspire other musicians and to leave behind timeless pieces of music, like our heroes.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Having the chance to play alongside some of our favourite bands such as We Are Augustines, Skaters and Temples. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Luckily we have been extrememly fortunate when playing so nothing bad has happened yet! We await the moment when Smeds falls off stage! 

If you had to choose just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

It would be our next single from our EP which is due to be released in September, Someone to try for (die). It gets the best response live and represents all the hard work we have put in over the last year. 

Where can we listen to it?

 https://soundcloud.com/artclasssink

Where can we find out more about your music?

https://www.facebook.com/ArtClassSink

https://twitter.com/ArtClassSink

Anything else you’d like to say about your band that I forgot to ask?

We are gearing up to the EP launch which we finish recording later this month at safehouse studios (foals) produced by Tim Roberts and Kit Moneth of Trophy Wife. We will also release our video for the single then aim to tour the UK from September to December so keep an eye out for dates. 

Sinking Witches Q&A

Your name: 
Gregg Morris (Vox & Guitar).

Where are you from? 
Oxford, England.

Name of band: 
Sinking Witches.

Who else is in your band? 
Tom Clark (Lead guitar), Rich Willoughby (Drums), Ben 'Benzo' Richards (Bass)

How would you describe yourselves? 
Sinking Witches are a powerful 4 Piece Post Grunge Rock Band from Oxford, UK, formed in May 2012 by Gregg Morris. 

Who are your main influences musically? 
British Rock Bands of the 70's, 80's Prog Rock and the Seattle Scene of the early 1990's, in particular Led Zeppelin, Motorhead, Frank Zappa, The Police, Level 42 & Nirvana.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
We are not striving for world domination that’s for sure. We are hoping to spend as much time as we can afford doing the thing we love - creating music, and performing in front of an audience that shares our passion. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
There have been a few really memorable gigs, but the one that sticks out for me is playing at a packed Astoria in London in 2005.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
Our manager at the time punching me in the face when I was 18 yrs old after getting drunk before a gig at The Dublin Castle in London. I deserved it, and I was awful that night.

If you could choose one of your songs as an advert for your music, what would it be and why? 
An Eye For An Eye. It's philosophical, dark, hopeful and childish - rather like the guy that wrote it!

Where can we listen to it? 
https://soundcloud.com/sinking-witches


Where can we find out more about your music? 

You can connect with the band on our official website http://www.sinkingwitches.com/home.cfm