Grammatics Interview: SXSW 2010
- Posted on Mar 9th 2010 1:30PM by Farah Ishaq
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Having just returned from the American Embassy in London with his visa approved to travel to SXSW, jubilant Owen Brinley, singer with Leeds-based indie rock band Grammatics, spoke to Spinner ahead of their US trip. The band, who formed in York just three years ago are excited to be playing their first proper last gig since the last album campaign ended at Christmas. "We've never really played outside of Europe before, everyone's very excited about it" says the singer. Depending on how a hometown warm-up show with five new tracks goes, festival goers are likely to be treated to new "harder and ballsier material" than on the first self-titled album. Brinley attempts to describe the brand new songs, "I'd say it was more mature, but I feel a bit stupid saying 'it sounds mature."
Describe your sound in your own words.
Orchestral pop music with a classic British kitsch twist.
How did your band form?
The band formed about three years ago off the back of a club me and our former drummer used to run which was called Grammar. It was a bit alternative, a bit art rock, a bit electro club night. We did that for year, then got a bit sick of DJing and wanted to do something that proved ourselves with our own musical projects. Rory, the bassist used to come to Grammar, so we all got together around the club night. Since then, we've gone through lots and lots of line-up changes. Some have left to form other bands, some have left to join other bands.
What are your musical influences?
We have quite a disparate set of influences as a band. Personally bands like Cursive and the heavier sort of bands I grew up listening to, like Deftones. Our drummer James is from a jazz background and Rory a folk singer-songwriter background. One big mash-up, it provides plenty of arguments!
What's your biggest vice?
Alcohol. Strong, continental lager. And red wine. We insist on those [for our rider] already.
As it's your first time. What's in your festival survival kit for SXSW?
We can't pack very much as we have to fit all of our equipment in. I have no idea what you'd take to a Texan festival. Some shorts will be pretty essential. Sunglasses. Antiseptic wound cream.
Who was your first celebrity crush?
Gaby Roslin, from Motormouth.
What's your musical guilty pleasure?
Crowded House, 'Four Seasons in One Day' -- but I don't think I should be guilty about that.
Beatles or Stones?
The Beatles. For 'I Am the Walrus' alone. John Lennon's imagination. The Rolling Stones were probably a better band musically -- you'd have probably rather seen the Stones live at their peak -- but the Beatles' recorded output is pretty much unmatched.
What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?
I've seen Rory our bassist running down Travel Lodge corridors naked, to try and win £10. That's the first thing which comes to mind.
Describe your sound in your own words.
Orchestral pop music with a classic British kitsch twist.
How did your band form?
The band formed about three years ago off the back of a club me and our former drummer used to run which was called Grammar. It was a bit alternative, a bit art rock, a bit electro club night. We did that for year, then got a bit sick of DJing and wanted to do something that proved ourselves with our own musical projects. Rory, the bassist used to come to Grammar, so we all got together around the club night. Since then, we've gone through lots and lots of line-up changes. Some have left to form other bands, some have left to join other bands.
What are your musical influences?
We have quite a disparate set of influences as a band. Personally bands like Cursive and the heavier sort of bands I grew up listening to, like Deftones. Our drummer James is from a jazz background and Rory a folk singer-songwriter background. One big mash-up, it provides plenty of arguments!
What's your biggest vice?
Alcohol. Strong, continental lager. And red wine. We insist on those [for our rider] already.
As it's your first time. What's in your festival survival kit for SXSW?
We can't pack very much as we have to fit all of our equipment in. I have no idea what you'd take to a Texan festival. Some shorts will be pretty essential. Sunglasses. Antiseptic wound cream.
Who was your first celebrity crush?
Gaby Roslin, from Motormouth.
What's your musical guilty pleasure?
Crowded House, 'Four Seasons in One Day' -- but I don't think I should be guilty about that.
Beatles or Stones?
The Beatles. For 'I Am the Walrus' alone. John Lennon's imagination. The Rolling Stones were probably a better band musically -- you'd have probably rather seen the Stones live at their peak -- but the Beatles' recorded output is pretty much unmatched.
What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?
I've seen Rory our bassist running down Travel Lodge corridors naked, to try and win £10. That's the first thing which comes to mind.
- Filed under: Concerts and Tours
