Goldbirds are a four piece Rock & Roll band from London.
In this interview, we chat about influences, their newest project, and more.
Full Q&A, links, and streams below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
We wanted to make music that would make people move in the clubs we were playing. Our musical style seems to evolve single to single. We started out leaning more towards rock and roll, but have become far more pop in our songs and our sound. It was a natural progress forward. We still smash guitars though.
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
(Si Connelly – Front man) – I was writing these tracks in my head that sounded exciting and that’s what gave Goldbirds its initial birth. We formed from the natural end of a previous band El Born, we went in to record some of the tracks that we used to pull out whilst touring when we just wanted to make the crowds jump about. Sometime 6/8 time signature doesn’t really make you move.
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
So far our lyrical content has been based on how I feel (Si Connelly), it’s a struggle trying to come up as a new band. You get frustrated a lot, so that crept into the songs. The sound is opposite, more of an explosion of energy, a release. I don’t think our tastes have hugely changed. We are more calculated about what influences we let in or not. We love playing straight up rock and roll, but it’s more fulfilling to make something wider, more neon in sound.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
At first Goldbirds was more about us shouting what we weren’t than what we are. We definitely started Goldbirds because we felt we had something that is lacking from new music these days. We felt that this was something that could make us fly. The good live shows make us feel like that.
What was the last song you listened to?
(Si Connelly) – I’ve been listening to lots of Radiohead recently, but my iPhones recently played section is telling me that the last thing I listened to was John Mayer’s Any Given Thursday EP.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Obviously I prefer Vinyl, not sure about the rest of the guys. My Dad is a DJ (not famous), so I grew up on a bed of vinyl. CD’s killed the tape cassette so I’m not a fan, although it was my format of choice in my teens, MP3 makes me depressed. Someone capture MP3 and lock her up.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Personally I prefer Apple Music, I love Apple and Apple Music is much more built for the listener. Spotify is good. I haven’t used Bandcamp.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?
If we’re honest the biggest challenge we face when trying to connect with new fans is being heard and noticed by them in the first place. The acts they know about, they generally know about because of radio, press, label backing etc. All those things cost money, which we don’t have.
We also don’t have rich dads or famous family members, so getting on the same playing field as the up and coming acts that often do is near to impossible. All we can really do is keep writing great songs, performing amazing live shows and try. Try, try try and then try again.
It’s hard not to be totally honest when analyzing these things but sadly the cream doesn’t always rise to the top. We are making progress though and it’s great people are noticing us based on our music.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
The best place to connect directly with us is on our Facebook page.
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
Come on down to catch us at The Finsbury in London on August 23rd, get a free EP if you mention Goldbirds on the way in too.
