27 May 2024
Every Monday I will be bringing you an interview with an independent band, duo or music artist. This week, I caught up with Cardiff based artist Rory Challenger to find out more…
Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent. My earliest memories of music were my Dad singing to me and my siblings while we were in the bath. He also had a mixtape he liked to play for us which had some of the rock classics from Hendrix to Motorhead. I always liked singing and was inspired by my dad. I then picked up a guitar when I was 13 and the rest is history.
Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
Metallica were my first love when I first started doing deep dives into music as a teenager. These days my favourite acts include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Last Dinosaurs, The Magic Gang, the Kooks.
How would you describe your sound?
Fun, indie, funky, rocky, singer/songwriter. Bit of a bag of all sorts. Anything to move people or get them moving.
What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
The song is called Cruiser! It was influenced by the dreamy soundscape of the 90s. I was really captured by the ethereal yet upbeat and romantic sounds from the likes of The Spin Doctors, Third Eye Blind, Incubus and Welsh singer-songwriter Donna Lewis. It also has some more up to date influences like the 1975 and Bleachers, which I think help give it a more current sound.
What’s your local music scene like?
Cardiff has a really wide range of interesting acts, I feel there’s a lot of punk esque vibes with high energy and edge, as well as more contemplative indie acts. There’s a place called Porter’s that hosts incredible open mic nights that I love going to.
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
Just to keep going with music production, and getting the word out there to arrange more concerts. I am really wanting to provide my services as a support act to bands with a similar vibe.
Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
Will Joseph Cook! He has such a fun energy and incredible skill as a songwriter.
Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
Well one of my first gigs with my band involved playing some lo-fi, jazzhop style instrumentals in a food hall. The venue were expecting us to play some relaxed, background music and after about 45 minutes of playing we busted out with my upbeat funky originals, some of which got pretty heavy. We definitely shifted the vibe without warning, but it was really well received.
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
Well I’m pretty chuffed with the fact that I write, produce, record, mix and master my songs by myself from the ground up. It gives me great satisfaction, but it does mean it takes bloody ages to finish songs.
Upcoming live dates and performances
Saturday 8th June 2024 – Barry Fringe Festival at Finnegans Inn, Barry
You can find out more about Rory on his website or via Apple Music, Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify or TikTok.
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