After spending the last few months cultivating and developing their sound, Birmingham-based trio Lyon Tide have now delivered their euphoric debut single 'Closure'.
With a sound that takes its cues from the likes of Snow Patrol and Elbow, 'Closure' makes for a rich and wildly captivating introduction to the outfit. Jam-packed with warm and enticing aesthetics, a sweeping atmosphere, and a truly soaring chorus, be ready to hear a lot more from this lot as the year goes on.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with Anthony and Darren from the group 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?
Darren: The Electric Guitar! I seem to remember as a young child watching a Rock Band on TV and instantly asking my Mum for a Guitar with ‘Spikes’ on the end!
Anthony: I guess the keyboard. In fact, the first instrument I had as a teen was a mini keyboard which wasn’t even mine, a friend lent it to me for a few weeks because we had this ambition to write a theme tune to a film we had come up with. It was a lot of fun and my first real experience with synth sounds, sampling and recording. After that I decided to invest in a Korg along with a bunch of other gear and began messing around with GarageBand.
What was the first song that inspired you to make your own music?
Darren: There are quite a few, but I do remember trying to write a song similar to Norwegian Wood by the Beatles. I would always try to emulate that unique ‘nasally’ voice of John Lennon for hours on end. I used to do the same with Cliff Richard’s ‘breathy vibrato’ but the less said about that, the better! Yeah, I used to listen to a lot of my parent’s music when I was a kid.
Anthony: When it comes to music, I think there are two types of people, one who listens to the music and the other who listens to the words. I am the latter and if an artist can combine great melodies and great lyrics together then they’ve got my attention. That is something The Smiths and James did excellently and have been a massive inspiration to me in general but if I had to single out a specific track that inspired me, it would not be to make my own music but to write my own lyrics; “Thrupenny Tears” by Trashcan Sinatras. In my opinion, songs and lyrics from bands like The Smiths, Morrissey, James, Thousand Yard Stare, Trash Can Sinatras, The Origin, Keane should be on the English Literature curriculum at school. Amazing stuff.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
Darren: All sorts: from 60s Rock ‘n’ Roll and 70s Disco to 80s Synth Pop and 90s Indie Bands!
Anthony: While Darren was heavily into eighties synth pop, still is, I was under the influence of the nineties’ Britpop era - as you might have guessed from my previous answer. Bands that still uphold those same songwriting and musical principles, like Keane, Kodaline, Snow Patrol, Thirteen Senses, Placebo, Embrace, Radiohead. I could go on forever, there are so many, but I think you get the idea.
What do you find is the best environment to find inspiration for your music?
Anthony: Usually the least convenient. It’s always somewhere where it’s impossible to make notes or record an idea, like in the shower or during long distance driving. My memory is not great at the best of times so whenever I come up with a good lyrical riff in those situations, I would have to keep repeating it over and over in my mind until I could put it down on paper somehow. God knows how many great lines have disappeared into thin air due to a minimal distraction. This situation got to the point where I went out and got myself a smart watch to record ideas while I was in the car as that’s where most of the inspiration was coming from. So, in terms of the best environment, I’d say while being alone, free to let my thoughts wander without distraction.
Darren: I can’t really think of an environment, but I always get this ‘calling from within’ when it’s time to sit down and write a tune.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Anthony: Tamer, would take first place, they only have two tracks out at the moment which is a massive shame but I just can’t get enough of them, very soundtrack-y. Tom Walker’s debut album is just wow, it’s one of those rare albums where every track is amazing. Personally, I’d love to collaborate with him one day. Then there’s a myriad of lesser known bands like Arctic Lake, Milk & Bone, Cape Cub, MTNS, Broods, I Am Bear, which all deserve a lot more light. The French artist, Julien Dore is also a major player on my current Spotify playlists.
Darren: I’ve been listening to Passengers’ new album quite a bit and I also really like ‘Something in your Eyes’ by STEPS – love that ABBA vibe.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Darren: You’ll have to ask Anthony about that one, he’s the lyricist. But, yeah, I think they are all about someone.
Anthony: Nah, that would be telling! Most of our tracks are about relationships, some positive, some negative so, yeah, it goes without saying they’re about someone specific, won’t be giving any names away though, they know who they are.
What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?
Darren: A response I received from Vince Clarke, once, when I sent him a Tweet. I know, not really unusual these days, but for me it was kind of a big deal, in fact I framed it!
Anthony: That’s a difficult one, maybe recording in the same studio Muse had just finished recording their album in or meeting an amazingly talented pianist from Brooklyn who had lost the use of his hands but still played with the sides of his palms, that was incredible to see.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Darren: Erasure, hands down.
Anthony: For me, it would have to be Morrissey — more for the chance to get to hang out with him backstage than actually open his show. I mean, come on, whoever is going to see Morrissey doesn’t care about the opener, they just want to see the man.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Darren: I’d probably be a lorry driver – I was always inspired by the classic Yorkie Truck Driver TV Commercial from the 80s.
Anthony: Thought you wanted to be a postman? I don’t know, we don’t really define ourselves as musicians or as a conventional ‘band’, music is just one of the things we create. We’d rather be known as a band of creatives that produce an array of content that is connected by an underlying thread that is music. I don’t think there could ever be a different path than that of creative.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Darren: Write music you like!
Anthony: Yeah, what he said.
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Lyon Tide's debut single 'Closure' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.