‘Welcome To’ is a new feature in the Rockpit where we try and capture fresh new bands from around the world that we think have a certain something about them and we’re tipping for bigger things…
Artist name: DEAD WRITERS
Country of Origin: UK
Date: 1/9/2018
Promo: the single ‘MEDUSA’
Release date: 15/6/2018
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YOUR NEW RELEASE – DEBUT SINGLE ‘MEDUSA’
The Rockpit: Tell us about the process of writing and recording the new songs.
Paul: As the original founder of the band, I (Paul Shine, lead singer) write all of the songs and lyrics at the moment, although some members of the band also contribute with new parts and ideas. We tend to work collaboratively on the arrangements and determine the final structures, which is very enriching and helps us know each other more as musicians. When it comes to recording, we keep the same working ethos.
The Rockpit: Who helped you getting the material together?
Paul: During the recording process, we are lucky to have the inestimable input from Margo Broom, our current producer at Hermitage Works Studios, where we have an ongoing residency. She has taught us a great deal about making records and we hope to continue working with her in the future as her talent and sense of direction is extremely valuable for us.
The Rockpit: What were some of the things you wanted to achieve with this first release?
Paul: As our debut single, with ‘Medusa’ we wanted to introduce ourselves into the music scene with a song that showed the variety, energy and musical ability of the band. We feel that ‘Medusa’ contains all those elements and the reception has been very positive from people who knew us already and new fans alike.
The Rockpit: Do you enjoy the process of creating? Are you someone who continually writes or does the best come out under a little gentle pressure?
Paul: I am a very creative person by nature, and I’m always writing new material and looking ahead. I thoroughly enjoy making music so fortunately I don’t need a lot of external motivation. My notebooks and phone voice memos are brimming with ideas!
The Rockpit: What does it feel like as an artist waiting for the songs you’ve lived with for some time to get released to the fans? Is there a sense of excitement or a little panic in there too?
Paul: It can be easy to get a little tired of your own songs, especially when you have worked on them for a long time and played them over and over to get them right. But songs are living beings, and if they are good, they always find a way to seduce you again and allow you to discover new facets to enjoy them. It’s always very exciting to show them to the world, though, and I have approached our first release with joyful anticipation.
The Rockpit: What were the lyrical themes of the songs?
Paul: I used Medusa from the Greek myth as the main theme for this song, but I show her in a different light, like a misunderstood, suffering character. If you extrapolate, you could see that the song is really an empathetic dialogue.
The Rockpit: What were the main inspirations for the release/songs?
Paul: I read a lot of classics, and have always been interested in mythology and tales of old. Medusa was a very powerful image and I thought that using her would bring a lot of mystery and symbolism into a song, if only just lyrically.
The Rockpit: Did you imagine how these songs would play out in a live situation?
Paul: ‘Medusa’ has already proven to be a favourite amongst our crowd when we’ve played it live, it’s got a certain degree of catchiness and because it has several diverse parts, it feels like a journey. It’s a very high-energy track and it certainly gives us a big boost during our set when we perform it.
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CATCHING THE BAND LIVE
The Rockpit: What can people expect on your tour/show?
Paul: A Dead Writers show is an intense experience, we give it our best on stage and it’s visually entertaining. A lot of it is down to me jumping around when the spirits take me! Our music is a blend of sharp melodies and rock & roll electricity, so there are raw moments and more dreamy elements, which I think makes it an interesting sonic package overall. Not to be missed!
The Rockpit: Do you play cover songs and if so, what kind of covers do you perform?
Paul: We are not very keen on playing covers, but a few months ago, we came up with a version of ‘Ziggy Stardust’ by David Bowie that we’re very pleased with. We changed the chord structure around and gave it an almost slow funk rock tinge. It’s pure fun to play on stage! You can watch a video of it from a recent show on our YouTube channel.
The Rockpit: How has the experience of playing live been like for the band so far?
Paul: It’s our favourite part of all the things that come with playing in a band. We are still growing and developing our act but so far it’s been consistently thrilling. We enjoy every single show like it’s the first and the last one.
The Rockpit: Any favorite places to play live?
Paul: Whatever is bigger!
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GETTING TO KNOW THE BAND
The Rockpit: How did the band form and get started?
Paul: I put the band together around 2017 after a very long search for suitable members that were talented and also understood my vision and my songwriting style. The band mates have joined progressively over the last year until forming the current line-up.
The Rockpit: What have been your greatest challenges to date, and your favourite moments musically?
Paul: The greatest challenge has probably been starting a project from scratch with all the difficulties that it entails (looking for band members, funding the band, developing an online profile…); personally, I find keeping up with social media rather enslaving, I’d much prefer to use my time in a different way, focusing solely on my music duties, but I understand it is essential if you want to make yourself known in this day and age. My absolute favourite moment with the band this year was the release of our debut single: I had never put out any of my own music into the world before and it meant a huge and proud step for me as a creator.
The Rockpit: With technology changing so much over the last few years and seemingly not slowing, and TV force-feeding us the lowest common denominator, what hope is there for rock music today?
Paul: I believe in the power of music (perhaps not so much in general taste), and luckily there is a healthy sense of community and loyalty in the rock and metal world. We rock’n’rollers are like tribes, we belong to the music that moves us, and viceversa. There will always be a space for bands like us because the background that those who came before us left is too valuable to be forgotten in the near future. Having said that, it is a shame that mainstream media and most television channels don’t always seem to promote the immense amount of quality artists that exist on this planet, regardless of the genre.
The Rockpit: From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?
Paul: Be humble and listen to those who know better than you. Don’t waste your time, work hard and never, ever, give up on a dream.
The Rockpit: Who are some of your main influences?
Paul: I enjoy listening to almost all styles of music. But if we narrow it down to the artists that really touched me, that truly changed my world, I would mention Queen, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan or Nick Cave. All of them are unquestionable talents and a constant source of inspiration.
The Rockpit: Who or what inspired you to be in a band and/or play music?
Paul: Most likely, listening to the aforementioned musicians and discovering that you can create a world of your own by making music on your own terms.
The Rockpit: How do you feel about the current music scene right now?
Paul: There are just so many bands around, it’s very difficult to find your place. But we keep the faith that somebody out there will be interested in what we do. It’s an ever-changing world we live in and we have to adapt to the environment like wild animals.
The Rockpit: Do you believe music can still change the world?
Paul: Music is made of ideas and emotions, and they can definitely change the course of history, or at least, make a radical and defining change within yourself. If I can reach out deep enough to alter somebody’s state of mind or way of thinking through my music, that’s more than enough for me.
The Rockpit: If you could be a fly on the wall for the recording of any album in history, what album would it be?
Paul: Probably ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’ or ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. They’re both such terrific, focused, perfect albums.
The Rockpit: What is the meaning of life?
Paul: Ask me that again in 50 years. I may be able to give you a more accurate answer, or perhaps not.
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