Joywride are making waves and people are popping up their heads to the band’s fresh sound. They are an act that you MUST see live and they are one of most dynamic live acts to emerge from London’s underground music scene in years and there’s really no other band like them out there at the moment.
We caught up with lead-singer Ollie Wride, who chatted to us about their hopes for the future and the launch of their debut EP, 21st Century Love. Although they have a unique glam-pop look, after talking to Ollie, there’s a lot more to them, than meets the eye. On-stage, Ollie is a born showman. Glamorous, mischievous, fun. Off-stage, he comes across as being very thoughtful and intelligent. A man who is passionate about songwriting and making music that is forward moving.
We caught up with the band to talk about their music, their new EP and their 80s influences.
How would you describe yourselves as a band, and your sound to someone who has not yet heard your music?
We’re a rock and roll band, playing pop music. I’ve collared the phrase glam-pop. It comes from the songwriting, rather than anything else. Everything else is just an added element and essence to that.
Who are your influences as a band?
As a band, we’re diverse. We’ve all got different artists that we like, all from different places. Personally, my idol is Freddie. Freddie Mercury.
A lot of people at the Madame Jojo’s showcase (which took place last week), mentioned and noticed a comparison between yourself and Freddie Mercury, in that you have great stage presence and took control of the stage, what do you think of that?
That’s a massive compliment. Hopefully people make the comparison in a good way. It’s not meant to be a re-creation, or a throwback. My ethos is, people are coming to see a show. They’ve paid to come to see you. We’re in our infancy as a band and I don’t think that many people offer that. We make music from the heart.
Are you influenced by the 80’s, there have been a few comparisons?
That period of time was important to me, but I’m a lot more interested in what’s new and what’s happening at the moment. There are great aspects of every era, but a lot of bad too! I don’t think there’s anything that defines where we are now. What do you think, how would you describe our era?
At the moment, to be honest, as it’s so diverse – I’m not sure I could define it. There’s so many different genres of music dominating the charts, that it’s hard to put your finger on it.
That’s why we’re here. I feel as if we’re flying the lone flag.
Tell us about your new EP.
Our EP is based around our first single, called 21st Century Love. I don’t really like to go into what they’re about, I want the listener to have that interpretation for themselves and to have a think about the songs and what they mean to them.
Where do you get your songwriting ideas from?
There’s no solid train of thought. I get them from a whole host of different places really. I’ve been writing a lot for our new album already, even though the first one isn’t out yet! I’ve got a lot of ideas. Our ideas can come from anywhere really. If I consciously sit down and think that I have to write a song, that normally doesn’t work for me.
Are there any artists in the charts at the moment that you’d like to work with?
Jesse Ware and Brandon Flowers, I like their honesty and also Keane. I feel like with those bands, it’s just well crafted songwriting.
What are your hopes for the future of the band?
We’re quite honest, we’ve got big aspirations for it. We feel like it deserves it. Then again – you make your own luck. Without wanting to sound too preachy or anything like that, I think that you make things happen. I’d love for us to do the festivals next year. Anywhere that will have us! A lot of people hear our music, but then when they come and see a show, they think ‘OK, now I get it’.
Absolutely, we think you’re definitely a band that you need to see live.
Our music is also good in the car, too!
Ha-ha. Tell us about what 2013 has in store for you.
Our second single, will be released in February and we’ll be doing a lot more shows and some support slots, but I can’t go into that at the moment! We’d like to be doing the festivals in the summer. A lot of people are afraid to take chances on the enigma, on what’s new. We’re hoping for a lot of radio play, too. We’re right at the start and we’ve got a long way to go. I enjoy the whole thing, the entire process is exciting and I enjoy getting the opportunity to talk to people like you, I genuinely do!
So you enjoy the whole process of being in band. From the recording through to the other side – such as promotional activities etc?
Yes, absolutely. On stage I’m an extrovert, but offstage, I’m an introvert. It depends on the person I’m talking to also. You’re getting a lot out of me today! That’s the magic I like about it. It’s a persona on-stage.
How do you get into that persona on-stage?
I just think ‘take a deep breath and go and do it’.
Any thoughts before you go on-stage?
Be good, remember the words, sing in tune!
Do you ever get nervous?
All the time. I get terribly nervous!
Does it fizzle out once you’re on-stage?
It does fizzle out once I’m on-stage. I feel that you need those nerves, the moment I stop having them, is the day I stop. You’ve got to feel alive doing it and it really matters to me. It’s one big contradiction. You’ve got to develop the audacity to go out and do what you want and have your stamp. In that respect, you don’t care. But when people make opinions that aren’t necessarily informed, then you can become dragged down by that, but I love that, it’s the heart and soul of it.
Joywride’s EP ’21st Century Love’, is available exclusively on iTunes, from 9th December 2012. Fans can get the EP for free before then by heading to Joywride’s official site.
