Forming back in 2014, Sheffield-based rockers Steal The City have released their debut single Beating Heart, out now via Redemption / Dharma Records.
Stemming from the idea that you should make the most of life, and not settle for second best, Beating Heart is a high octane punk-rock anthem fuelled by thrashing beats, angst-driven vocals and meaty riffs. Oozing a power akin to the likes of Rise Against and propelled by a rowdy energy, it’s an instantly infectious track seething with intense passion.
Steal The City have spent the last few years building a reputation for their ferocious live sets. With memorable performances at Tramlines Festival and O2 Academy Sheffield already under their belts, the quartet are ready to unleash their riotous sound on the rest of the UK and beyond.
In this interview feature, we chat with Steal The City about the latest release, influences, music consumption preferences, challenges and much more.
Full Q&A along with links and a stream of Beating Heart below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
Our style is crafted from our love of energetic live music, and heavy guitars. The only aspect of heavy music we didn’t want to adopt was the vocals, which is where we began to craft our own sound in the genre. We are all festival goers and supporters of live music, we love the energy and feel of festivals and really drew us into the genre.
How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
We started jamming together in 2014 and started playing local shows to our family and friends. We aimed to find our own signature sound and the best way to express ourselves. Our music has only been available digitally for a very short time. So Steal The City still has a long way to go and plenty more in the tank.
Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?
Coming from the Sheffield local music scene, we have already seen giants such as Bring Me The Horizon and While She Sleeps grow form a local pub band to a stadium filler. We all have a passion for music with our own individual influences, and seeing local bands get as far as they have makes the dream seem achievable. We’re all aiming for this 100%.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
All we wanted to do was to write our own music, perform it live and have an amazing time while doing it. So far we have already achieved this and so much more, but we have had a taste and we don’t want to give it up.
What was the last song you listened to?
Sam – Witness – Wage War
Joe – Unnecessary Evil – Motionless In White
Ellis – Promise everything – Basement
Smit – Technology – Don Broco
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Between us, we all have preferences to each one of these. Sam and Ellis like to be able to have infinite musical options with ease.
Joe has a strong connection with CDs as he likes to have a physical copy of an artists work. Smit leans towards CDs but has recently found a love for vinyl.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
STC all regularly use Spotify and it is our go too streaming service as you can view an entire back catalogue of a band while also being able to follow the artists. Also we have found some of our favorite bands through the discover feature.
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?
The quality of the musicianship of both established and unsigned bands is phenomenal meaning breaking out of an underground scene is harder now than ever before.
Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?
We perform live 100% every show. We feel that seeing us life is the best way to truly experience what we are about. In the near future we plan to tour as far afield as possible. Taking STC international is a dream we all share.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
We are on all major social media platforms. Facebook, as with many bands, is our main social media presence.
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
Don’t let your dreams be dreams, don’t eat yellow snow and get yourself to a Steal The City show!
