After spending the last two decades unveiling a wealth of fresh and uplifting releases, US outfit SeepeopleS are back to share their latest euphoric effort 'It Feels Heavy'.
Lifted from their forthcoming new album 'Field Guide For Survival In This Dying World', which is due out later this year, 'It Feels Heavy' marks one of their most adventurous releases to date. With its bold nods to the psych-rock and pop sounds throughout, their new single is a glittering and soaring gem that cements them as one of the most captivating names working right now.
So with the new single out and about, we sat down with the band's head honcho Will Bradford to find out more about his earliest beginnings and what has been inspiring him of late.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
It was really the guitar. I had been unwillingly attending piano lessons since early childhood, and although I'm so glad my parents forced that on me, I hated the piano at the time. But when I finally got my hands on an electric guitar, I fell hard and fast in love.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up on classic rock, and found reggae when I was very young. Years later I was lucky to live through the peak years of the 90s rave scene, and became a life-long listener, and then later a creator of electronic music. But I've always really liked it all. I probably listened to acts like 2 Live Crew and N.W.A. more than anyone when i was younger.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I bought Ziggy Marley's "Conscious Party," on cassette, in Jamaica when I was very very young, with my own money, or, at least money my parents gave me.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
"The Believer" by El Camino, and or "The Last Waltz" by Engelbert Humperdinck.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Avoiding it at all costs and trying my best not to do it! I absolutely love recording, producing, and performing songs that I have written, and It does feel great to feel true pride in birthing a creation, when it is done. I absolutely loathe songwriting and I find it arduous and exhausting, and quite frankly, it is always never fun for me. Most times, when I do end up writing, which is sometimes painfully often, it is because I've written it in my head and i'm so sick of the song playing on repeat in my brain, that the quickest way to move past it is to record it, release it, and let it either inspire or annoy the hell out of someone, and especially someone else.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
After two decades plus on the road, my ears have gotten a little weary of listening to the types of music I make and play. I love playing rock n' roll, but honestly, rarely listen to it. Lately Peyman Yazdanian and Kayhan Kalhor have been blowing my mind. Apparently, I'm also in a very very long lasting Duke Ellington phase, I highly recommend doing the same.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Impossible question. The problem is, for any band that I love so much that I would want to play with, I mostly would want to go and have fun at the show, and definitely have to worry about playing. I have been lucky to open for some of my favorite bands over the years, and most of the time I just remember their sets and not actually me playing with them, honestly. As far as a good opening gig to get in front of people, I heard U2 has a pretty solid local draw in most markets, I guess I'd be stoked to be on that bill?
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I have too many awesome stories to even remember and I am blessed to have too many friends in too many places from years of touring. But, the truly most rewarding part to me, is simply to have been afforded the opportunities in my life to get a chance to learn and speak this beautiful universal language that is music.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Literally , EVERYTHING ELSE!
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
"Be present, no matter where you are or what you are doing. You never know if this is your last chance to do whatever it is you are doing, in the place where it is happening, so don't take it for granted. Live it." -sucks I forgot who told me that, but thank you them!-
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SeepeopleS' new single 'It Feels Heavy' is available to stream now. Check out the new video for it in the player below.