Having already built up their reputation around the greater Hatfield area of late, emerging indie-rock newcomers Sweet, Coins! are now ready to introduce themselves to the world with their brilliant debut single 'Take Me Back To When'.
With nods to the likes of The National and Doves, 'Take Me Back To When' makes for a wonderfully bold and progressive introduction to the group. Filled with soaring guitar hooks, thunderous production, and a beautifully soothing sensibility, expect this to be the first of many captivating cuts from the band to come.
So with the new single doing the rounds, we sat down with them to find out more about their background and what has inspired them most over the years.
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What were the first instruments you fell in love with?
Tommy: The first instrument that I fell in love with was drums really, only because when I was 12/13, I just found it so cool that all you had to do was smack things. But the first instrument I actually played was Guitar, and I’ve worked on that since I was like 9.
Sophie: For me it would be Guitar, I love watching people play them but when I tried learning I could never get the hang of it. So instead I learned drums and I’ve been playing for a while and I can’t get enough of drumming.
Louis: I fell in love with the sound of the electric guitar instantly through listening to my dad’s records by artists like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Dire Straits.
Jamie: Tom Delonge was a massive reason I fell in love with guitar. But I have a soft spot for classical piano and fell in love with the piano after hearing the soundtrack to Final Fantasy 10.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Tommy: Sex Bob-Omb from Scott Pilgrim was a big influence on the music I wanted to make, if you know me then you know that I’m a massive Fanboy for Scott Pilgrim. But also, Luke Rainsford is another big inspiration for me because I want to have that emotional feeling behind some of the tracks but also make people dance the night away.
Sophie: It’s Hard to say but, whenever I go to gigs, I get such a feel-good feeling and a rush, and I want to be the reason that others react in that way when they hear our music.
Louis: I would say the most prominent inspiration for me (as the lead guitarist) in this band would be The Killers for their guitar tones and riff ideas.
Jamie: Luke Rainsford for sure, been listening to a lot of Lewis Del Mar recently too and he does a lot of different things that inspire the way I approach a track.
What kind of music did you love as teenagers?
Tommy: Anything Alternative. Bands such as You Me at Six, Neck Deep, State Champs, Moose Blood and Don Broco. I listened to music all the time whenever I had the chance whether it was a journey to college or at home playing games.
Sophie: Rock all the way. But, mainly Alternative and Pop Punk. Bands like Green Day, My Chemical Romance Blink 182.
Louis: I was a massive fan of MUSE as a teenager, but also bands like the Foo Fighters and Radiohead.
Jamie: I was a massive Pierce the Veil fan. I remember one summer being addicted to Catfish and The Bottlemen’s first album as well, still hits me the same way every time.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
Tommy: I think the first song that really inspired me to be a musician was Underdog by You Me at Six, but only because the raw energy and power in that song is incredible. I think any song off of “Hold Me Down” or “Take Off Your Colours” was all that I listened to for a month straight.
Sophie: Sum 41- In Too Deep. It was actually the first song I learnt to cover, and I just love that song.
Louis: The first song I can remember which made me want to pursue music was Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. I’ve been obsessed with that song for as long as I can remember, and like many guitarists, I find myself spending my life trying to write a solo as iconic as the one from that song.
Jamie: Honestly it could have been anything, it was most likely a Take That song because my mum is obsessed with them. But I used to cut pieces of paper and then take the inserts out of my mum’s CD cases and design my own album covers and write imaginary track lists on the back of them.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Tommy: I’m Listening to a lot of Math Rock and Punky songs at the moment, bands such as: Origami Angel, Charmer, Holding Absence, Bring Me the Horizon and Enter Shikari.
Sophie: Don Broco!! Can’t get enough of them, I’ve seen them live too many times to count and they’re just my favourites.
Louis: At the moment the artists I’m most excited to hear new music from are Nothing but Thieves, Glass Animals, Royal Blood, and The Neighbourhood.
Jamie: The Story So Far have consistently been my favourite band for about 3 years now but been on a Basement vibe recently. I’ve slept on them for a while, but they’re really really good when you start listening to them. Oh and I’m also a diehard fan of Joji, another big inspiration for me.
How many of your songs have you written about people you’d rather forget?
Tommy: Honestly, there are too many songs. I couldn’t even name them all, most of them were written down but never used or recorded because 3 months down the line I’d find them terrible and useless.
Sophie: I’m not a songwriter in the slightest so none at all.
Louis: If this includes writing songs about myself… Too many.
Jamie: Countless songs, depending on your definition of a song but maybe hundreds? But a lot are more just stanzas written in contact to one another rather than verse chorus verse etc. A lot of my songs are stories from my past or inspired by other stories that I’ve heard about.
What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?
Tommy: We haven’t really had an unusual moment so far since we only started as a band earlier this year. Haven’t played any gigs or anything since we’re waiting for the whole of this COVID situation to pass by.
Sophie: Haven’t encountered any unusual moments but I feel like there’s one coming soon enough.
Louis: So far in my career, the most unusual moment that I can remember is finding myself playing on stage at a small festival in the South of England as a guitarist for Deborah Bonham (the sister of the legendary Led Zeppelin Drummer; John Bonham).
Jamie: 2020 is just the peak. I can’t gig, my writer's block is my least favourite person right now. Plus I’m unable to spend 16 hours mixing on Logic at the moment.
Outside of music, what are your biggest passions?
Tommy: I don’t really have any other big passions outside of music because that’s all I do. Occasionally, I stream on Twitch and play games and I’m really getting into graphic design at the moment.
Sophie: At the moment I’ve been getting back into drawing, I used to when I was younger, and I just stopped for a while.
Louis: I have a big passion for staying healthy and active, that includes a lot of going to the gym, and most recently getting very into Kickboxing.
Jamie: I’m really into Formula 1, I’d love to travel the world and see some of my favourite races. I’m also a massive football fan, and I’m really into fashion and drag.
If you weren’t musicians, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Tommy: I don’t really know what I’d pursue if it wasn’t for Music because I’d probably still be an entertainer of some sorts. I used to love the idea of working on Cruise Ships and sailing around the world and planning activities.
Sophie: Well at the moment I’m studying Graphic Design so anything to do with the Media industry would be what I would aim to do.
Louis: I haven’t put much thought into it but if I was to do anything but Music I would go on to study Physics.
Jamie: I probably would have Studied Film and TV and still would have gone down a Production/sound pathway to be honest.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to start a career in music?
Tommy: Just never give up on what you love, Confidence, Determination and Dedication is key in the industry. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or reach out to people for more opportunities or tips on how to improve.
Sophie: Just don’t be afraid of what others think and have confidence in yourself!
Louis: Music is a big world, and it often seems like it will be impossible to navigate your way through. Just how daunting it seems can make a lot of people give up, but what you have to prioritise is just making the music and making music that you like. If you focus on the music at first, everything else will fall into place. Also say yes to as many things as you can!
Jamie: Branch out, meet people. Networking is absolutely key. Treat everyone with respect because you never know who might ask you for a favour and need you to fill a spot on a show or at a festival if you’re lucky.
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Sweet, Coins!' new single 'Take Me Back To When' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.