Formed in early 2017, Shop Front Heroes comprises Stevie Yeomans (Lead Vocals, Guitar, and Piano), Jake Owen (Lead Guitar/Vox), Matt Whitehouse (Drums), Tom Jaques (Guitar/Vox), and, completing the lineup in the summer of 2022, Alex Middleton (Bass).
Their debut album, ‘SuperPowers‘ is the culmination of Shop Front Heroes’ musical journey and was recorded at the prestigious Rockfield Studios. The album was expertly mixed by Stew Jackson (known for his work with Massive Attack, Emily Breeze, and Marc Ford) and mastered by Sean Magee (renowned for his contributions to The Beatles, Queen, Rush, and Radiohead) at the iconic Abbey Road Studios.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Shop Front Heroes about the latest project, AI in music, dream collabs, and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
AI (aka Artificial Intelligence aka Chat GPT 4.0)… How is it changing the music world? What are your thoughts about this new xx trend?
I don’t think we have even scratched the surface of AI, in any artform. It’s a tool, we haven’t had a chance as creative artists to fully explore the opportunities yet – let’s see what happens. I think at the moment I’m in the headspace that the sense of pride and artistic accomplishment that anyone in the arts gets on a human level from succeeding organically and putting a piece of your soul into a project (which is always the music and art I love the most) , plus the fulfilment, pleasure and respect that you get from doing just that can not ever be matched.
Can you choose a favorite song of all time? Or is this an impossible task? If yes, what’s the song? If no, what’s your current Top 3?
Wow. That’s quite the question. Favourite songs are so influenced by mood that to name one would be impossible.
Current top three… I’ve been loving a toned down live version of a song called ‘Lost On You’ by LP. Her vocals are just incredible on it and it’s a fantastic bit of songwriting. As for the rest, I’ll just message the band…
Jake – ‘Hatchet Job’ – Hot Snakes
Tom – ‘Model Village’ – Idles
Matt – ‘Something That I Said’ – The Ruts
Alex – ‘Take Me Back To Eden’ – Sleep Token
What about your debut album ‘SuperPowers’ makes you most proud? Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
We made SuperPowers by grasping whatever we could of it and and slowly pulling it out of the ground. We had the vision of giving everything to make the best album we possibly could. We utilised all our resources, we played gig after gig to save up the money and what else we needed we borrowed from the local pub landlord and did a deal to fund going to Rockfield Studios. We used a Welsh Male Voice Choir from the area that we live in and I contacted college friends of old that were badass violin players to perform and help arrange the beautiful string parts. We had members and best friends from my old band, Halo, come in the studio and add some vocals and some and one crazy electric violin solo. Before we’d even got to the studio we wrote a bunch of songs in an old barn, situated a few miles from our houses. It was incredibly organic and there were no assholes involved, anywhere along the line. Another long time muso friend, Stew Jackson, did an incredible job of the mixing and we were lucky enough to get Sean Magee to master it at Abbey Road. All of those things. The bottom line though is how incredible it sounds,how it looks and how positively it has been received so far.
What motivates you to keep going? What inspires you to create music?
I’m a lifer. Someone that’s been immersed in music and bands since i was teenager and always will be, regardless of the ups and downs. We all are. All I’ve ever known is to create and perform and to keep pushing for success both creatively and financially. I’m not afraid to say that making money is important either. It’s a cold reality that we can’t do without if we want to keep making records.
I’m inspired by legends past and present, cutting edge artists that I hear on the radio and that my mates or my students introduce me to, by my contemporaries, bands that my friends are in (check out Dusk Brothers) and my friends who aren’t in bands. I’m motivated and inspired by my family, by situations both shitty and wholesome, and everything in between. Songwriting is everything and being in a band makes up a huge percentage of our own identities..
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
I always wished that David Bowie could have heard this album. He moved so fast and was always ahead of the game. The fecundity and integrity of his songwriting had a profound effect on me. I always imagined that I was going to meet him someday and that he’d really dig our stuff. I would have done anything to hang out, write some songs, smoke some Marlboro Lights with him, whilst he told me how it is..
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
I listened to ‘Amber’ by The Cooper Temple Clause. I got the remastered vinyl for Christmas and wanted to revisit it. I used to tour with them and it still sounds as epic (if not more so) as it did back then.
Favourite all time artists is likely to cause a heated debate amongst us all so i’ll just say that Queen, Bowie, Neil Young, Arcade Fire and The Killers were a fairly big influence on the writing and production of our album.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
We are most active on our Facebook and Instagram accounts
We’re pretty lucky that no one has a name like Shop Front Heroes, so just google us and you’ll find us right there.
I appreciate Your time. Want to say or plug any other projects before we part ways?
Absolutely. Go check out Our Website and Bandcamp and get yourself a copy of our debut album on limited edition pink vinyl, Compact Disc or digital download. Get it on your speakers or in your headphones and lean right into it. Also, look out for a UK tour this year and some sweet festival appearances. Thanks for talking to us.
