Following on from the release of their much-loved debut EP last year, emerging British indie-rockers Sandcastle Jesus are now looking to build on that praise with the unveiling of their new single 'Bombshells'.
Taking influence from acts such as The Joy Formidable and The Libertines, 'Bombshells' makes for a bright and bold addition to their growing catalogue. Filled with soaring guitar hooks, thunderous drums, and sweeping vocals throughout, this new delight will surely keep your head nodding from start to finish.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with them to find out more about their background and what has inspired them most over the years.
-
What were the first instruments you fell in love with?
Charlie: Fell in love with piano to begin with.
Alex: Fell in love with guitar.
Will: Piano was the first instrument.
Fran: The flute was the first instrument I really enjoyed playing. I only picked up bass just over a year ago but even so it’s still my favourite instrument to play.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
C: The most prominent inspiration has been other bands and the positions they hold, also the feeling of playing a song you wrote to other people.
A: The Lemon Twigs.
W: Jazz drumming and especially Tony Williams.
What kind of music did you love as teenagers?
C: Big fan of 90s alt rock.
A: Alt music as well as jazz.
W: Classical.
F: As embarrassing as it may sound, in my pre-teens I tended to listen to One Direction. Luckily enough my parents still surrounded me with the music that still inspires me today like Amy Winehouse, Kimya Dawson and The Cranberries.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
C: The first song was probably still take you home by Arctic Monkeys, i remember first watching their live in Liverpool set from 2005.
A: Feel by Big Star.
W: Buddy Rich - Big Swing Face.
F: Where is my mind? - The Pixies.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
C: I listen to 90s alt rock but chilled like Slowdive or Sundays.
A: Typically Jazz.
W: Impressionist music.
F: I normally listen to bands like The Orielles and Pip Blom that have typically uptempo songs.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
C: Two of them have meaning towards other people.
What have been the most memorable moments in your career so far?
C: Our drummer crowd surfing at the arts centre.
A: Playing a packed arts centre.
W: Playing my composition at Blickling Hall on the grand piano.
F: Playing at the arts centre - our drummer, Will, crowd surfed after playing the trumpet.
Outside of music, what are your biggest passions?
C: Producing and writing.
A: Coffee and wine.
W: Engineering.
F: Most of my outside interests still link to music, but I have always had a passion for Classics and Ancient History.
If you weren’t musicians, what other path do you think you might have taken?
C: Journalist of some sort.
F: I used to really want to go into archaeology.
And what advice would you give to those looking to start a career in music?
C: Focus on the bands you love and take inspiration.
A: Take any opportunity you can.
W: Research and look at other famous people to learn from them. Also study classical music, even if that's not the music you want to get into.
F: Getting involved with a band or other musicians can really help to improve your performance and writing. Try not to confine yourself to one genre, as inspiration can be found everywhere - from listening to different music to going to gigs of bands you may not know.
-
Sandcastle Jesus' new single 'Bombshells' is out now. Have a listen to it in the player below.