Introducing Joe Symes and the Loving Kind, a four piece acoustic rock band from Liverpool.
Originally a solo musician, Joe Symes found the need to recruit more musicians for his cause and what followed were a string of gigs and performances leading up to their well received self-titled first album.
The band recently took some time out to answer some questions unZined posed to them about about their beginnings, their experience making their first album and their success internationally. Check it out below.
Originally a solo musician, Joe Symes found the need to recruit more musicians for his cause and what followed were a string of gigs and performances leading up to their well received self-titled first album.
The band recently took some time out to answer some questions unZined posed to them about about their beginnings, their experience making their first album and their success internationally. Check it out below.
unZined: A big thank you for taking the time to answer some
questions. Firstly, introduce Joe Symes & the Loving Kind
Colin White: I'm Colin, drummer, backing vocalist, and ideas man.
Joe Symes: I'm Joe, Singer/Songwriter, Guitar and Harmonica
Paul Hetherington: I'm from Liverpool and I play guitar.
Chris Giblin: I’m Chris and I play Bass
unZined: Joe Symes was originally a solo artist, and then
became Joe Symes & the Loving Kind. Tell us the story of how Joe Symes solo
artist started out and why creating a band afterwards made sense.
JS: I was playing acoustic gigs around Liverpool & the North West for
about 8 months. Colin who I have known for many years asked could he play
bongo's alongside me at the gigs to which I was I said yes, We then tried out different
band members to which didn't really fit in then Paul & Chris joined and
it's been great ever since.
CW: Yeah, it all came together quite quickly, as I remember. So much in
such short a time.
CG: I heard the lads we’re looking for a bass player so I got in touch, and
here we are now
unZined: Influences by bands/artists when growing up define
how today’s artists mould their own style and sound and can also provide an
insight into the bands music. What is each of your influences when it comes to
music?
PH: I like a lot of 70's rock, early blues guitarists
and good old 50's rock n roll.
CG: This is one of those questions I’ve been asked a lot, and to be honest
there is no real answer. I am into a lot of different types of bands, and what
answer I say now could change next week depending on my mood. There are
obviously bands which I listen to regardless and always will, but I suppose I
like music that's got a beat through it, something that makes your foot tap if
you know what I mean
JS: I've been asked this question so many times, I like a lot of music to
which I would be here forever saying who they all were, I love The Beatles, The
Doors, The Who, Buzzcocks, The Stranglers, Motown, Frank Sinatra, so many other
band's & solo artists also.
CW: I'd be here all day literally, but to name some drumming influences, I'd
say John Densmore, Ringo, Gene Krupa, Art Blakey, Daru Jones, all the Motown
drummers, Earl Palmer, to name a few.
CG: Tomorrows sonic journeymen
JS: We are honest.
CW: Real, classic, awesome.
PH: Fueled by tea
unZined: Who writes the songs you perform and what is the song
writing process?
JS: I'm the songwriter, but we all have an input to the finished songs.
PH: On occasion Joe will have a clear idea in his head of guitar parts and
sometimes it’s a completely blank canvas. We're always bouncing ideas off each
other though; sometimes a song takes shape quickly and other times it grows
over several weeks of jamming.
CG: Yeah like Joe said, he comes in with a song and then as a band we
input our own parts to come up with the finished article
unZined: What is the song you bring out during your set
which is a sure crowd-pleaser?
CW: Oh, it depends on the night.
JS: They are all crowd-pleasers, but the main one is Fallen Down which we
have been ending our set on, we jam it out longer than the original version, a
lot like The Doors when they did a long version of one of their songs.
CG: Yeah Fallen Down I’d say. I think, and the others may correct me here,
that out of all the different combinations of songs we play for different gigs,
that one has been in the most!
PH: Fallen Down as Joe says but perhaps one day we'll play the shorter album
version again.
unZined: There has been major interest across the pond (USA) in the band and your
music since your debut album, some from well known celebrities. What do you
attribute to that kind of reaction and popularity?
CW: I guess it means we're doing the right thing. We have the right
ingredients.
CG: Hard to say really, I guess they just see something in the music they
like, not going to argue with them ha!
PH: I think the novelty value of a good old British band still carries
some weight over there and they can't get enough of our 'odd' accents.
JS: I'm very pleased that we are getting the reaction from that side of
the pond also around the world with well known celebrities buying our music,
really happy I am.
unZined: What did you learn in your experience
creating your debut album that will affect the process in
making subsequent albums?
JS: That you have to do a lot of pre-production work on the track before you
enter the studio otherwise you will be sitting there with the clock ticking and
money being wasted, something which we did not do.
PH: Sounds corny but work together as a team and it can’t hurt to try out
new ideas.
CG: It’s worth getting it right, so not to just settle on something that's
ok, put the time and effort in so you can come out with something that you are
proud of. If you’re not 100% happy with, how can you expect other people to be
100% happy with it
unZined: Is there anyone you would like to acknowledge
for helping out with the band?
CG: Yeah, everyone involved in the making the album, but also the fans of
the band who come out and spend their hard earned money to see us, they help
more than anyone I’d say, as its them who make you want to continue making
music
CW: Again, we could go on forever, but every single person who believes in
us. They know who they are.
JS: Everyone that was involved in the making of our debut album have all
been credited on the inside sleeve, A big thanks to all of them again.
unZined: Have you got any
funny/memorable gig stories?
CW: I remember being in London, and Chris - who is an
early riser - said to me when I just woke up that he'd just done "a very
Dad thing," which was basically going for a cup of coffee, a walk, and a
paper. Very random.
JS: Playing a small weekend tour of London with Alt J
& Block Party, going to Abbey Road Studio's, and not really getting any
sleep.
PH: Our introduction from Beatles promoter Sam Leach
was pretty memorable, oh and Colin's unwillingness to cross Abbey Road is
always funny.
CG: ha, not sure I can say without a lawyer present!
But if there's beer and shopping trolleys involved, something always going
to happen!
unZined: Do you feel social media is a necessity when
getting the word around about the band?
PH: Yes, you have to promote yourselves as much as possible, that’s an
effective and inexpensive way but of course don't forget you have to have the
songs to back it up.
CG: I do, but I think society is starting to come full circle again. I mean
Social Media is a fantastic tool, but people have become too reliant on it over
the past few years, something I’m seeing more and more of is scenes starting to
develop, and that's only happening through being away from your computer or
social media sites, so a balance of both to me is more of a necessity
JG: 100% but also mixing with other band's and going to watch other band's
play and support your local scene.
unZined: Do you have any advice for
any local bands starting out on the music scene?
CG: Enjoy it!
CW: Play, get to know people, get yourself out there,
and avoid "no people" at all costs.
JS: Believe in what you do and never give up.
PH: Don't just stick to local venues, push yourselves
and travel the country gigging and promoting yourselves.
unZined: What does 2015 hold for Joe Symes & The Loving
Kind?
CG: Needing more lawyers!
PH: To keep doing what we love.
JS: New songs, recording, bigger gigs, more interviews and having a great
time.
CW: Yes, another great year, not forgetting those lawyers. Ha!
A very insightful interview, one that tells us much about the band and what motivates them. Jo Symes and The Loving Kind are guests on Halton Community Radio this Sunday at around 7.30pm with host Iain Tinsley and are starting their gig tour next Friday at The Magnet in Liverpool before playing for our very own band night at the Bridge View in Runcorn on the 28th February. Get involved!
Their album can be found and listened to below. Its a great album overall and definitely worth checking out.
Like what you hear? To follow, listen to and find out more about Joe Symes and The Loving Kind check out the links below:
WEBSITE // FACEBOOK // SOUNDCLOUD // TWITTER // YOUTUBE
A very insightful interview, one that tells us much about the band and what motivates them. Jo Symes and The Loving Kind are guests on Halton Community Radio this Sunday at around 7.30pm with host Iain Tinsley and are starting their gig tour next Friday at The Magnet in Liverpool before playing for our very own band night at the Bridge View in Runcorn on the 28th February. Get involved!
Their album can be found and listened to below. Its a great album overall and definitely worth checking out.
WEBSITE // FACEBOOK // SOUNDCLOUD // TWITTER // YOUTUBE
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