Following on from the release of their much-loved debut album 'Endurance' in 2018, Project Blackbird recently returned to unveil their long-awaited sophomore full-length 'If This Is The End'.
Channelling a broad and diverse texture throughout, 'If This Is The End' makes for a wonderfully warm and enticing listen. Filled with euphoric hooks, sweeping melodies, and some passionate songwriting, it feels like they are on the cusp of something truly special here.
So with the new LP available now, we sat down with them to find out more about their background and what has inspired them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Jon: My trumpet, my dad bought one home when I was nine.
Jamie: Electric guitar – loved the versatility and the sheer volume through a large amplifier.
Alan: Drums – I was obsessed with tapping stuff.
Ming: I think it may possibly be a Bear Guitars Jade Dragon Telecaster-style electric guitar that was recently gifted to me. It’s the first instrument that has made me want to learn to play it through the sheer power of its beauty.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
Jon: I grew up at the tail end of the punk movement, I loved The Stranglers etc… by the end of my teens I was firmly into reggae music.
Jamie: Mainly rock and indie bands in the 1990s or following legendary artists’ later careers like David Bowie or Paul McCartney.
Alan: Loads, but mainly hip-hop and metal.
Ming: A lot of what we called “college music” in the States – and for me within that, mainly British bands. I listened to albums with a passion in those days, but the one I was completely obsessed with at age 17 was The The’s “Mind Bomb”; I used to listen to it every night on a reversible Walkman until the batteries ran out.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Jon: Deep Purple; “The Singles As and Bs”. I still have it.
Jamie: “Wish” by The Cure – I saved my pocket money and went on the bus to get it as soon as it was released.
Alan: Sum 41, “Does This Look Infected?” was the first album I bought, but I was given Rage Against the Machine, “Rage Against the Machine” at around age 9 by this cool cat who could see the hellraiser in me!
Ming: The first LP was a K-Tel compilation called “Hit Explosion” that featured A Flock of Seagulls, Haircut 100, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Toni Basil, among others. Shortly after that I bought my first “real” album, “Business as Usual” by Men At Work.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Jon: “Beirut” by Ibrahim Maalouf.
Jamie: “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak – I don’t think anyone has created such a classic song with three chords, great lead guitar and falsetto since.
Alan: “Midnight in Harlem” by Derek Trucks and Mike Mattison.
Ming: Maybe “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths – just perfect, and the kind of song where people who love it, love it as if it were written just for them. Or “The Joke”, by Brandi Carlile.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Jon: A clear head and nothing else pressing that needs to be done.
Jamie: Plain A4 paper or a new notebook is a must – handwritten is best, and new strings or clean instruments!
Alan: Not really, but I usually like to start early in the morning.
Ming: I am a supreme procrastinator, so I like to be on my own for days at a time, preferably away from home and away from normal distractions.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Jon: Right now Ibrahim Maalouf (French Lebanese trumpet player).
Jamie: Hayley Williams, Allan Rayman, Declan McKenna, Awolnation and a renaissance of Paul McCartney and a bit of Prophets of Rage.
Alan: Greg Koch’s livestream jams.
Ming: A track that recently stopped me in my tracks is “The Robber” by The Weather Station. And I love Gaye Su Akyol’s bravery and sass. Also, Jon and I present an internet radio show together and have been introduced to a lot of great new independent music through the online forum Fresh on the Net.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Jon: Right now it would be good just to be able to gig again…but opening for Dandy Warhols would be cool.
Jamie: Paul McCartney – especially if he did a concert of his more experimental or instrumental stuff.
Alan: The Aristocrats, although it would be terrifying!
Ming: I tried to convince Aldous Harding to let us open for her when Jon, Alan, and I went to see her in Southampton, but she wasn’t having it.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Jon: Playing together as a band and those moments when we just get in the groove.
Jamie: Witnessing it change form and transcend into something magical after other people’s input.
Alan: Definitely playing live.
Ming: Creating music with people I love, having something tangible to show for it (e.g. an album or a gig), and connecting with people who listen. The whole process.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Jon: Lack of time and not being able to get the music out as widely as possible.
Jamie: Music is cathartic whether writing, recording, or performing live – the only frustrating part is if someone doesn’t get or understand it.
Alan: Arthritis and tendonitis.
Ming: Having to self-promote and self-market as a band, e.g. through social media – this thing about making and playing the music not being “enough”.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Jon: Do what you do and do it well…and don’t be late for rehearsals.
Jamie: That you never stop learning or getting better and that no matter what audience you play to there is always someone that is liking what you do, so play to them!
Alan: There are only two genres of music – good and bad.
Ming: Breathe.
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Project Blackbird's new album 'If This Is The End' is out now. Have a listen to it in the player below.