THIS WEEK: LONESOUND
Lonesound is an Indie Guitar Pop act based in Dalston, London – in which James Ewers writes and arranges the songs – and also plays everything, bar the drums.
James is blessed with a gift of a voice that sounds great on record, on radio and (alright, this is an educated guess) live too, I’m willing to bet. It sounds like The Next Big Rock/Pop/Indie Voice (delete as appropriate). And, guess what: the songs and playing are super-crisp too. Result! Lonesound has a big swanky sound made for stadiums – and songs built for hearts.
Lonesound has graced our Listening Post with some cracking songs over the months. And, as I wrote when they made our Fresh Faves recently, “it’s my belief you will be hearing a lot more from Lonesound. They sound to me like the next big pop indie band ready to roll”.
The project is already making good on that by being featured by our own Tom Robinson on BBC Introducing as well as recently featuring on Dermot O’Leary’s BBC Radio 2 show.
James has released two Lonesound EP’s (one of which is below) and a full album is planned for next Spring – you can help him to fund it on PledgeMusic…
Oh – and did I mention that Lonesound are not only great to listen to, but you can also do the most weird and wonderful dance moves to their sound: kitchen, bathroom or club – they all work. Thanks for stopping by James – and we wish you luck on your journey. Over to you…….
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1. What are you up to at the moment?
I’m in my pyjamas, it’s three in the afternoon, I’m tired, groggy and aching and my ears are ringing! It was my EP 2 launch last night at the Macbeth in Hoxton, and what a great night it was. A hot room full of people, dancing and singing along, all visibly enjoying it.Fantastic. EP 2 comes out this Sunday, and it’s been a busy lead up to it since the summer, so I’m thinking it might be ok, I might even deserve to stay in my pyjamas for the rest of the day.
2. Favourite childhood memory?
Holding a red plastic toy guitar, prancing and swinging around to Nellie The Elephant by Toy Dolls…and excitedly waiting for the oooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh bit!! That must have been 1985, and I was 3.
3. Hero?
Sorry but I have quite a few and they are everyone who has pledged on my album so far through PledgeMusic. Without them the album release next spring would be half of what it will be, and for that I am truly grateful. There are people that come to every one of my gigs, however near or far, and I still find that amazing. Incredible people. They make playing gigs so special.
4. Villain?
The dark side of that! The promoter who gives me £25 for bringing 150 people and has put on a lineup with no common thread whatsoever, the local council who gives me a parking ticket for loading in, the bouncer who treats you like crap when you’re loading out because there’s a club night starting. I could go on!
5. What/who makes you laugh?
I’ve got a really filthy sense of humour. I blame my dad, and being on past tours with three other guys. And we were obsessed with Deuce Bigalow…something my girlfriend (and many others) just don’t understand. It’s immature and cheap, but I love it. You do need a great solid narrative structure though, and it helps if that includes a man whore, a pimp, and a selection of freaky women.
6. Describe what you do?
Currently I’m writing and releasing indie guitar pop records whilst trying to balance life as a songwriter & producer. I’m fortunate enough to have time to work on my own music, whilst writing with and producing some great artists. I’m doing what I always wanted to do. It’s taken me this long to realise that that isn’t a goal, it’s the only way of life I can have. Many of my friends are in offices and don’t worry about the rent, but they don’t get to sit in their pyjamas doing an interview for Fresh On The Net either.
7. Whose hair would you like to have for just one day?
David Lynch. I did try his hair style for a while, and looking back on photos from that time, I really wish I hadn’t. People are too polite really, I need more friends who are happy to say “you look like a dick”.
8. Best musical experience to date
With the Lynch hair and my old band My Luminaries, I opened Glastonbury 2010 in front of 2500 people. And they were up for it! It gave me a certain confidence as a front man that I’ve not quite had any other time. Equally, when I recently realised that my new backing band had become tight enough to play the songs, yet play around with them and give them that live magic. That’s something that gives me great confidence.
9. What artist inspires you?
There are the obvious great songwriters who continue to make a life of great work, like Neil Young, Springsteen, Dylan. I’m inspired more by the work ethic, more than any new sounds or techniques. That’s why I love painters so much, who I can imagine fervently working canvas after canvas to achieve something. The Tate Edvard Munch exhibit was really inspiring, it showed just how how he worked and reworked an idea to achieve his aim. One slight variation after another. I have a true artist friend called Steven Reed. He’s up at 6 every morning, painting, looking after a family, painting, teaching, painting whenever he can. Amazing.
10. What does Fresh On The Net mean to you?
I admire what you guys do greatly. I can see that Tom puts a lot of time and care in to helping new musicians and passing on his wisdom, and together you have created a website that has some invaluable information. I particularly like the impartiality of the Listening Post. It makes a real nice change from the ‘get your friends/fans’ to vote sites all over the net. Keep up the good work!
