Following up the release of their brilliant initial singles 'Too Baby' and 'Little Things' in recent months, Rampton Prom are back once again with their superb new offering 'Give Me Something'.
Bringing back more of that diverse and complex sound they are known for, 'Give Me Something' makes for an incredibly dense and textured listen. Jam-packed with sweeping melodies, groove-filled basslines, and powerful production throughout, these guys are making a hell of an impression so far this year.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with them to find out more about their background and what has inspired them most over the years.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Gina: Guitar: My dad got me an electric guitar for Christmas when I was 14 and I quickly became obsessed. I remember waking up and it being the first thing I thought of. I’d be excited to say hello to it in the morning before going to school ha.
Jonny: Mine was drums. I started out playing classical guitar and piano, but one day a guy came to my primary school and did a drumming showcase in assembly (not really sure why). I thought he looked pretty cool and so I managed to convince my parents to get me a kit for Christmas, after which I became quite obsessed.
Ryan: I’ve honestly always been a bit naff at all the instruments I play. I’d love to say guitar or bass or synth but the enjoyment I get is actually out of learning a bunch to an acceptable level and to be able to hear them all together.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
Gina: not very cool I know but I was horribly in love with Jack Johnson and listened to a lot of his stuff as well as the artists he had signed to his label (Brushfire Records) like Mason Jennings and Matt Costa.
Jonny : I pretty much exclusively listened to Led Zeppelin for a few years, plus some other bands of that ilk. Guess that made sense with the drumming…
Ryan: I was an emo kid.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Gina: I remember asking my mum for a Blue album when I was pretty young, but she bought Blur's greatest hits by mistake.
Jonny: Led Zeppelin (shock) How the West Was Won is the first album I really got into. It’s a live album compiled over two concerts. The sound that they created with just four band members still amazes me.
Ryan: I always tell people that it was the first Gorillaz record but really I think my ownership of Steps CD’s predates that by about five years.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Gina: ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’ by Bonnie Rait. There is the most amazing version by Justin Vernon singing over piano on youtube which disappeared a few years ago. I was so sad, but then discovered the other day that it’s back (minus the video) ready for whenever I want to indulge in a heart break.
Jonny: I’m not sure…I was listening to Monte Booker before and really wish I could make beats that good. Does that count?
Ryan: Anything from Pet Sounds.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Gina: I guess I write differently depending on the project. With Rampton Prom rituals include trying not to try, and having a few beers.
Jonny: Yeah it depends really. If I’m making beats I’ve started trying to start with melodic elements and adding drums after.
Ryan: I have a constant cycle of hating myself and everything I touch and then coming around to thinking it’s sounding pretty good…and then hating myself again.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Gina: ummm Adrianne Lenker, The National, Frank Ocean, Phoebe Bridgers. I wouldn’t necessarily call ‘070 Shake’ one of my favourite artists but that track ‘Guilty Conscience’ is so amazing. I can’t stop listening to it.
Jonny: Dua Lipa, Chloe x Halle, Monte Booker, Slow Thai, Vegyn, Janet Jackson.
Ryan: I’m in one of my ‘heavy’ phases at the moment. I’ve been rinsing a grindcore band called ‘Full of Hell’.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Gina: Honestly right now I would open for anyone. I just want to gig again and to go to gigs. I miss crowds.
Jonny - Led Zeppelin. Just kidding.
Ryan: I’d honestly take The Wiggles at this point.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Gina: the excitement you feel when you’re creating a track together and the pieces start falling together.
Jonny: Making music. It never feels like work to me, I never want to do anything else.
Ryan: Sometimes you get free crisps.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Gina: right now - social media, with it still being lockdown there’s a lot of weight on it. I’m very much looking forward to gigging again and actually speaking to people’s faces rather than paying for their fingers through a screen.
Jonny: Yeah I agree with Gina. Also just how difficult it is - there’s so much competition.
Ryan: what they said.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Gina: I used to be so nervous playing live, like cripplingly. It was awful. My friend Fitz said to me ‘no one cares’ which I still find very helpful even now.
Jonny: Learn to be good at failing.
Ryan: Lower your expectations.
-
Rampton Prom's new single 'Give Me Something' is available to stream and download now. Watch the new visualiser for it in the player below.