2 September 2024
Every Monday I will be bringing you an interview with an independent band, duo or music artist. This week, I caught up with Kent/Scottish band STREAMER to find out more…
Who is in the band and how did you meet?
STREAMER comprises Tom (vocals, guitars, and keys), Jez (bass, BVs, and keys), and Tom’s son Freddie (drums and percussion). Tom and Jez have been firm friends for many years now, playing in rock and dance act, Jam Sandwich, since 2001. They have used their music to help raise over £250k for charity and have another charity fundraiser planned at The Clapham Grand, London on Thursday, 12 September 2024.
Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
Given the age range in the band the influences are wide and deep – from classical masters, to the likes of Floyd, Muse and Coldplay, and to more contemporary ‘masters’ like Faithless, Underworld, Chemical Brothers, Calvin Harris and James Monro.
How would you describe your sound?
We struggle with this a bit, even coming up with our own suggested genre of indie trance. By this we mean trance in its broadest sense, melodic and hypnotic with builds and releases and indie as it’s delivered with layers of guitars and drums over the electronica. The aim live is to deliver a show which runs continuously and is both anthemic and dancey, with hands-in-the air and singing. All delivered in a massive soundscape with high production values.
What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
Time Flies By is about making time to do things you love, ‘Time flies by when you feel this high!’ The track is inspired by band member Tom’s step back from corporate life, and inordinate time spent commuting, to focus more time on his passion for music. Time Flies By tells the story of a man and then a woman reflecting on how precious time is, and how they want to spend it. The sentiments chime with the modern day, post pandemic, reflection that many people of all ages battle with.
Typical of STREAMER, the track features a rich combination of organic and production instrumentation that build from a dark, atmospheric, ‘Floydian’ start to huge drops and riffs. The vocal texture is gripping and musically you can hear classical influences from the start that intertwine with modern electronica synth-play and searing guitar work.
What’s your local music scene like?
Tom is based in Kent, Jez in Scotland and Freddie has graduated from Edinburgh Uni. We don’t have a single local music scene, but our music appeals cross generationally and resonates well with students. We have performed in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Durham, London, Kent, Brighton, Brechin and Bristol and will continue spreading the word far and wide over the coming months!
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
Time Flies By is the second single and title track of an EP being released over the summer. Possessify released in May is the first single. We are working on performing at clubs and venues over the autumn and winter and look forward to playing on more festival stages next year.
Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
David Gilmour – now that would be a treat! And Coldplay – thinking about their work with the Chainsmokers and Avicii. Both of these would be really exciting – combining our feel and indie trance approach with them would be very exciting. Collaborating with The Chemical Brothers or Underworld and enjoying their production would be epic! Amusing to us, Underworld rehearse in a shed with lights and haze, as do we!
Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
We play electronic dance music but our audiences like to sing along as well, which means they often sing along with the guitar solos as well as the vocals.
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
We are a dads and lad band who believe in the power of original live music and love that our audiences are equally cross generational but weighted the other way, towards the younger generations.
Upcoming live dates and performances
Charity fundraiser at The Clapham Grand, London on Thursday 12th September 2024. More info here.
You can find out more about STREAMER on their website or via Apple Music, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Threads, X (Twitter) or YouTube here and here.
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