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| New Band Up North | New Band Up North |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Newcastle five-piece Shields are producing a synth sensation, with catchy pop melodies, charming harmonies and layers of intricate indie sounds. The guys have been on their travels around Europe and the UK for most of the year, remixed a track for Maxïmo Park and have been working away on their debut EP Kaleidoscope, which is out today. | Newcastle five-piece Shields are producing a synth sensation, with catchy pop melodies, charming harmonies and layers of intricate indie sounds. The guys have been on their travels around Europe and the UK for most of the year, remixed a track for Maxïmo Park and have been working away on their debut EP Kaleidoscope, which is out today. |
| The video for their latest single 'Mezzanine' caught the attention of new music master Michael Cragg a month ago. And it's no surprise, as the actors who star in the video are pretty top notch. Watch it right now and you'll be amazed. Nowadays it's hard to get people to watch anything for more than a few minutes without their eyes being diverted to another screen. But Shields pull you in immediately with lots of pretty colours to compliment the song's fun and poppy tone. The video cuts from the band performing and proving they can play instruments to a strong love story, which unfolds into a tragedy. Oh and if you haven't actually clicked to watch it yet, like I told you to, then you won't know that those remarkable actors are actually sock puppets. Even Kylie was impressed and shared it with her million plus Twitter followers. | The video for their latest single 'Mezzanine' caught the attention of new music master Michael Cragg a month ago. And it's no surprise, as the actors who star in the video are pretty top notch. Watch it right now and you'll be amazed. Nowadays it's hard to get people to watch anything for more than a few minutes without their eyes being diverted to another screen. But Shields pull you in immediately with lots of pretty colours to compliment the song's fun and poppy tone. The video cuts from the band performing and proving they can play instruments to a strong love story, which unfolds into a tragedy. Oh and if you haven't actually clicked to watch it yet, like I told you to, then you won't know that those remarkable actors are actually sock puppets. Even Kylie was impressed and shared it with her million plus Twitter followers. |
| The genius behind this video is Vicky Simmons who directed it and came up with the idea. Socks off to you Vicky. | The genius behind this video is Vicky Simmons who directed it and came up with the idea. Socks off to you Vicky. |
| "It was just unbelievable" | "It was just unbelievable" |
| Earlier this year the band self released a couple of singles and started impressing lots of people over here in the UK and abroad. Luke, who plays guitar, bass and sings in the band, said a particular highlight for him was playing at the Dispatch Show in Paris: | Earlier this year the band self released a couple of singles and started impressing lots of people over here in the UK and abroad. Luke, who plays guitar, bass and sings in the band, said a particular highlight for him was playing at the Dispatch Show in Paris: |
| It's crazy to go to a such an amazing city in France where people are really enthusiast to see us. It was just unbelievable. | It's crazy to go to a such an amazing city in France where people are really enthusiast to see us. It was just unbelievable. |
| Luke, John, Rich, Dave and Tom make music everywhere they go. Dave even admits that in the middle of a conversation "it can be difficult to maintain concentration on what [the other person's saying] because I'm busy trying to hide the fact I'm making up or trying to remember a drum beat by chattering my teeth in rhythm." Now that's talented … maybe the boys should incorporate teeth chatters into their next single? | Luke, John, Rich, Dave and Tom make music everywhere they go. Dave even admits that in the middle of a conversation "it can be difficult to maintain concentration on what [the other person's saying] because I'm busy trying to hide the fact I'm making up or trying to remember a drum beat by chattering my teeth in rhythm." Now that's talented … maybe the boys should incorporate teeth chatters into their next single? |
| Now when it comes to delving into how the band met John and Luke actually crossed paths on a ferry years before they actually met properly. They slowly realised this was the case when they were telling each other the same story. John was on his way to travel around Europe with a djembe. Luke then put his hand through John's drum during a jamming session on the top deck. I'm sure that was a bit awkward and sad for John. But now it seems as though John might be getting revenge on Luke as he's "always late" and as the designated driver that can get pretty annoying. | Now when it comes to delving into how the band met John and Luke actually crossed paths on a ferry years before they actually met properly. They slowly realised this was the case when they were telling each other the same story. John was on his way to travel around Europe with a djembe. Luke then put his hand through John's drum during a jamming session on the top deck. I'm sure that was a bit awkward and sad for John. But now it seems as though John might be getting revenge on Luke as he's "always late" and as the designated driver that can get pretty annoying. |
| Originally Luke was in a band with Dave at the same time as being in a band with Tom and Rich. Both bands recorded at Blank Studios where John worked. Then coincidentally the band Luke and Dave were in parted ways when John left his current group. Are you following? Luke says "John had been really involved with the creative side of recording both bands so it made sense to bring it all together." | Originally Luke was in a band with Dave at the same time as being in a band with Tom and Rich. Both bands recorded at Blank Studios where John worked. Then coincidentally the band Luke and Dave were in parted ways when John left his current group. Are you following? Luke says "John had been really involved with the creative side of recording both bands so it made sense to bring it all together." |
| Each idea needs the "unanimous nod" | Each idea needs the "unanimous nod" |
| The sound the band is creating is all about building up layers. After listening to their EP for the first time you then start to pick out each complex layer in a song and appreciate the effort and thought that's gone into the record. They use guitars, synths, drums, a bass and lots of vocals to build up each track and you suddenly realise – wow this is good. The band's sound is not the only thing full of colour and energy but their multi-coloured artwork "ties in with the music." Luke says: | The sound the band is creating is all about building up layers. After listening to their EP for the first time you then start to pick out each complex layer in a song and appreciate the effort and thought that's gone into the record. They use guitars, synths, drums, a bass and lots of vocals to build up each track and you suddenly realise – wow this is good. The band's sound is not the only thing full of colour and energy but their multi-coloured artwork "ties in with the music." Luke says: |
| When I listen to music it's colourful. There's lots going on and you can imagine lots of colour. | When I listen to music it's colourful. There's lots going on and you can imagine lots of colour. |
Making music is clearly a team process for this band, as each idea needs the "unanimous nod", which "generally occurs after the five of us can hear something new that we've previously not explored musically." Luke explains that a twenty second idea can often span out into a three minute song. The band takes influences from a wide range of artists including Everything Everything, Metronomy and Tune Yards. What's great about Shields is the way they don't necessarily think the sounds they're making need to fit into any one genre. They don't want to replicate something they've heard before but they take inspiration from sounds they admire and just go with what's working. | Making music is clearly a team process for this band, as each idea needs the "unanimous nod", which "generally occurs after the five of us can hear something new that we've previously not explored musically." Luke explains that a twenty second idea can often span out into a three minute song. The band takes influences from a wide range of artists including Everything Everything, Metronomy and Tune Yards. What's great about Shields is the way they don't necessarily think the sounds they're making need to fit into any one genre. They don't want to replicate something they've heard before but they take inspiration from sounds they admire and just go with what's working. |
| Away from the music the band enjoy playing FIFA, drinking single malts during a gig, meeting and working with lots of different people and creating games with their fans on Facebook. But sometimes the odd debate can crop up as they admit to hating | Away from the music the band enjoy playing FIFA, drinking single malts during a gig, meeting and working with lots of different people and creating games with their fans on Facebook. But sometimes the odd debate can crop up as they admit to hating |
| how much time [they] have wasted discussing (arguing) the meaning of irony and if Alanis did actually get it right. | how much time [they] have wasted discussing (arguing) the meaning of irony and if Alanis did actually get it right. |
As I mentioned earlier their debut EP, Kaleidoscope, is out today. It also features a cover of SBTRKT's Pharaohs, which they performed recently in true SBTRKT fashion, masks and all for the 405. So go take a look at that video and grab a copy of their new EP. | As I mentioned earlier their debut EP, Kaleidoscope, is out today. It also features a cover of SBTRKT's Pharaohs, which they performed recently in true SBTRKT fashion, masks and all for the 405. So go take a look at that video and grab a copy of their new EP. |
| Emily Brinnand is a freelance journalist, radio presenter and producer. You can listen to her show Mixtape every Tuesday evening at 6pm on Sheffield Live! 93.2fm or online at www.sheffieldlive.org. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyBrinnand | Emily Brinnand is a freelance journalist, radio presenter and producer. You can listen to her show Mixtape every Tuesday evening at 6pm on Sheffield Live! 93.2fm or online at www.sheffieldlive.org. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyBrinnand |
| If you're in a Northern band Emily wants to hear from you so please Tweet her links to your music. | If you're in a Northern band Emily wants to hear from you so please Tweet her links to your music. |
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