9 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 Bournemouth based band New Tide to find out more…
Who is in the band, how did you meet, where are you from and how did you come up with the name?
New Tide is a band consisting of Thea and Jed, George and John. Thea, originally from Lebanon, brings her unique vocals and perspective, while Jed, with a background in commercial music, contributes as a composer and instrumentalist. They met through an online forum, where Jed discovered Thea’s talent and their shared musical vision.
The band’s name, New Tide, symbolizes their journey of transformation and renewal in the music scene. They’ve recently been featured in the Guardian and have garnered 2000 monthly listeners on Spotify, reflecting their growing presence in the indie/pop/alternative genre.
Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
Growing up, our musical tastes were shaped by a variety of artists. Thea gravitated towards emotive voices like Björk, Radiohead’s atmospheric soundscapes, and Fiona Apple’s raw lyricism. Jed was drawn to bands such as, Muse, and Gorillaz for their innovative approaches to music.
Today, our influences continue to evolve. Thea finds inspiration in contemporary artists like Florence + The Machine, and Tame Impala. We don’t shy away from mainstream pop such as Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter.
How would you describe your sound?
Bedroom Pop.
What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
“Come n Go” is inspired by a real life event. It captures the silent thoughts of a dying relationship. Its lyrics are performed as a broken duet which describe the tension and emotional distance of both partners who are trapped together.
What’s your local music scene like?
Our local music scene in Bournemouth is vibrant and diverse, with many talented artists and bands across various genres. However, the cost of living crisis has shut down multiple venues in the past couple of months. This has pushed us to innovate with gigs, adopting a DIY approach and scouting local talent to keep the music alive.
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
Over the next 12 months, New Tide has exciting plans. We’re releasing a new EP that reflects our evolving sound and personal journeys. We’ll be performing more live shows, staying true to our DIY roots, and collaborating with local talent. We’re also growing our online presence, saving up for bold music videos, and maybe even some flashy new outfits for our live shows.
Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
We would love to collaborate with Tame Impala. We relate to Kevin Parker’s obsession with producing music and admire how he can play drums and write great basslines. Working with him would be an incredible opportunity to blend our styles and create something truly special.
Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
The band has a safe word – Art House.
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
The one thing we want readers to know about us is our humble backgrounds. Outside of New Tide, we are teachers, chefs, and firefighters. We’ve built this band from the ground up, balancing our day jobs with our passion for creating and sharing music. Our journey is driven by perseverance and a genuine love for music.
Upcoming live dates and performances
Friday 20th September – Chaplins, Boscombe
Friday 4th October – The Hobbit, Southampton
Friday 25th October – The Four Horsemen, Bournemouth
You can find out more about New Tide via Apple Music, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, TikTok or YouTube.