Ben Wood & The Bad Ideas, a London-based four-piece who are aiming to release a new song every month until the end of 2020, are released their first single of the year, “Cora Cora Cora“, in January on Back2Forward records.
The band, compromised of Ben Wood (Lead vocals/Guitar), Andy Duke (Lead guitar), Clive Bissell (Drums) & Ed Sonsino (Bass), brought in Dave Barbarossa (Adam & The Ants/ Bow Wow Wow), Nick Maybury, (Juliette Lewis & The Licks/ Scott Weiland Band) and Billy Ritchie (Clouds/ The 123) on a track described as being “A love song concerned with deep desire that fringes on the malevolent.”
In this interview spotlight, I chat with members of the band about this year’s release strategy, technology, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I’m originally from the seaside in Essex. I was born in a port town called Harwich. I’ve moved around a lot. The rest of the band are Londoners and I met them when I was living there. Technically we’re a London based band but whenever I’m asked I say that we’re based in “London/Essex.” One fourth still counts, right?
We make rock and roll music with any twist that we can lay our hands on.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I started very young. I was six when I started on the guitar and singing came a bit after that. There was always music and instruments about at home and I was very lucky in tat respect. I saw a re-run of ‘Neil Young- in concert’ from ‘71 on the TV as a kid and that was it for me. I became obsessed with the notion of writing songs and performing them. That initial romance is still there as a motivation but it’s a deep, true and lifelong life of music and, of course The Bad Ideas who motivate me, the band keep me wanting to create music and keep me excited about making music together.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
I think what’s different about ‘Cora, Cora, Cora’ is that it’s a sinister love song. There’s the implication that being in a relationship with Cora just won’t be enough for this man. He wants to haunt her after he’s dead and to oversee her dreams when she’s asleep. It’s a malevolent love. The songwriters who were a big influence on me always turned things on their heads- if it’s a love song, then make it dark. If it’s an energetic or aggressive song then show weakness, not strength.
We’ve also got guest spots on ‘Cora, Cora, Cora’ with the legendary Dave Barbarossa on drums, none other that The Progfather himself, Mr. Billy Ritchie on keys and if that weren’t enough, we’ve got the force of nature that is Nick Maybury digging on lead guitar. Naturally, with that comes a lot of character and personality and that comes through on the track. We’ll have more contributors and special guest spots for the 2020 project. We love collaborating.
Also, the way we’re releasing is very different. Putting a single out every month of 2020 is a challenge. The ground work is laid for a lot but we are, legitimately, writing and recording as we go. Whatever is, in reality, more mapped out as a ‘head start’ is simply not finished. There’s plenty of work to be done on the tracks but ultimately the releases dates are scheduled and that’s exciting and daunting in equal measure.
It’s cool to have a live project that’s still being worked on. Normally you’d write, record, mix and master twelve or thirteen tracks and it’s done. Once it’s out you promote it and tour it but there’s always a sort of ‘step back’ from the work itself, as it were. This feels really immediate and we’re so excited about it. Being out of our comfort zone and challenging ourselves has always been good for us. That’s where the name came from- discussions in the pub about daunting prospects and projects “this is a bad idea.”
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this over saturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
Technology absolutely does help. It’s easy to become nostalgic but the guys and girls making music in the 50s and 60s relied upon their technologies and lived with the drawbacks as we are doing now. To expect the landscape, methods and approach of doing things to be the same as back then is unrealistic and shortsighted. The energy and passion is the same, it’s just a different scene.
Music is much more accessible and there are tonnes of platforms which help to get music out there which is great for new bands. The challenge is that it is indeed over saturated. Running in tandem to that, is the dwindling attention spans of the modern listener. Which, at the end of the day, is a healthy challenge to rise to as songwriters. You should never take any listener for granted.
There’s some really great stuff out there and it’s never been easier to create and release music. It gives people opportunities to create and to enjoy music, and on a certain level, it evens the playing field. It’s a good time to be a good band.
What was the last song you listened to?
‘A.I’ by Flesh Tetris. It’s one of their new numbers. It’s a great SCI-FI -pop song. Big hooks, big chorus. Check them out of you haven’t. The B52s meets the NASA space programme via London Town.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
They all have their USPs as well as their Achilles heels but I’d have to say Vinyl. It’s just so cool isn’t it? As a band we’d definitely say ‘vinyl.’ Our drummer would probably say “cassette” just to be contrary but then, he would.
Personally, with vinyl, it takes me back to that Neil Young thing or, more specifically, ‘that feeling.’ The romance of music. It’s the relative scarcity and rarity of it and the genuine dependency people had on vinyl. People waited desperately for those records to come out. I think the ghost of that is still there and that’s what makes it just a little bit more special.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
They’re all brilliant but I’d say Spotify. I couldn’t tell you why. I guess I just use that the most.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
All of the 2020 releases will be available on all digital platforms. Or check us out at:
Find Ben Wood and The Bad Ideas on Facebook.
Find Ben Wood and The Bad Ideas on Twitter.
Find Ben Wood and The Bad Ideas on Soundcloud.
Find Ben Wood and The Bad Ideas on Spotify.
Ben Wood and The Bad Ideas Media.
Anything else before we sign off?
Just to give huge thanks and communicate out sincere gratitude for the support we’ve had. This project is an exciting challenge and it’s keeping us super busy but it’s been so well received. It’s already an incredible journey one release in. Thank you. Keep an eye out for the next release, ‘Noondrunk.’
