I caught up with Reading-based trio The Colours to talk the 80’s, record companies and Deal or No Deal…
How did you guys meet and form the band?
We met about 4 years ago as we were all pursuing different musical careers. Tom P was a singer/songwriter writing and performing songs around Reading and London. He also wrote songs under a pseudonym for a couple of acts around the time we met, though he hasn’t yet revealed these yet though to the wider public!
Tony had been teaching drums since he left school and been drum tech-ing for a couple of session bands. It is something he still does when the band is not writing or performing for extra money.
Tom N had started work with a studio in Reading with local producer Raphael Ponnudorai who taught him his way round a studio. After working for a year with Raphael, Tom started producing himself with mostly local acts. However, a chance recording session with Reading band ‘Zoot Woman’ helped make a proper name for himself.
We met about 4 years ago as we were all pursuing different musical careers. Tom P was a singer/songwriter writing and performing songs around Reading and London. He also wrote songs under a pseudonym for a couple of acts around the time we met, though he hasn’t yet revealed these yet though to the wider public!
Tony had been teaching drums since he left school and been drum tech-ing for a couple of session bands. It is something he still does when the band is not writing or performing for extra money.
Tom N had started work with a studio in Reading with local producer Raphael Ponnudorai who taught him his way round a studio. After working for a year with Raphael, Tom started producing himself with mostly local acts. However, a chance recording session with Reading band ‘Zoot Woman’ helped make a proper name for himself.
In late 2004 a meeting at Tom’s studio with a band comprising of Tony’s drumming and a song written by Tom P, the band first played together after the keys player and bassist failed to show. The rest, as they say, is history.
I’m introducing your music to a friend. What should I tell them about you?
Tell them ‘come and see them live’. We have always prided ourselves on a great live show that comprises of a tight theatrical performance. We sound like all the good bands from Britain over the last 40 years so there is a good chance your friend would like what they hear.
Who are your biggest influences and how do they affect your work?
Our biggest influences are bands we love and their music but also the way they conduct themselves on stage and in the studio. This means bands like Radiohead and the Beatles will always be influential but we can also finds things to admire about JLS, Black Eyed Peas and Kanye West. It may sound unlikely when you hear our music but we can be influenced by pretty much anything.
Our biggest influences are bands we love and their music but also the way they conduct themselves on stage and in the studio. This means bands like Radiohead and the Beatles will always be influential but we can also finds things to admire about JLS, Black Eyed Peas and Kanye West. It may sound unlikely when you hear our music but we can be influenced by pretty much anything.
Your songs have quite an 80’s sound to them. Is this intentional and if so, why do you feel it was such an important time in music?
The 80′s seemed to be another good decade to experiment with music and sounds so if that’s what you mean then yes, we are influenced by them. Musically though we have elements of all decades as far as I am concerned so we wouldn’t see ourselves as 80′s revivalists or anything. It is more likely that we copied what we heard from bands that themselves copied from the 80′s!
The 80′s seemed to be another good decade to experiment with music and sounds so if that’s what you mean then yes, we are influenced by them. Musically though we have elements of all decades as far as I am concerned so we wouldn’t see ourselves as 80′s revivalists or anything. It is more likely that we copied what we heard from bands that themselves copied from the 80′s!
You’re currently unsigned after parting ways with your record label. Do you feel that it’s integral to your future success to get resigned straight away, or are you happier with the creative freedom that being unsigned often allows?
No we don’t, it is far more important to write and record on your own as much as possible off your own back. The money and distribution is important from a record label but nowadays you do need to be more inventive when it comes to releasing your music. The internet obviously is a great tool for this and it is very possible to gather a fan base using that method.
No we don’t, it is far more important to write and record on your own as much as possible off your own back. The money and distribution is important from a record label but nowadays you do need to be more inventive when it comes to releasing your music. The internet obviously is a great tool for this and it is very possible to gather a fan base using that method.
Talk us through a typical day in the life of The Colours. Are you a full time band or still working on the side?
There is no typical day as we are always doing different things. We do have part time jobs to keep us afloat but we do earn what we can from live dates. These in turn have funded most expenses that the band throws up.
There is no typical day as we are always doing different things. We do have part time jobs to keep us afloat but we do earn what we can from live dates. These in turn have funded most expenses that the band throws up.
What’s next for the band? An album release?
Yes, we will be releasing a new album early 2011. It will be finished by Christmas of this year so expect to hear a snippet or two on our MySpace (www.myspace.com/thecoloursreading).
Yes, we will be releasing a new album early 2011. It will be finished by Christmas of this year so expect to hear a snippet or two on our MySpace (www.myspace.com/thecoloursreading).
Three songs you wish you’d written are…
After the Goldrush – Neil Young
Love Machine – Girls Aloud
White Christmas – Bing Crosby
After the Goldrush – Neil Young
Love Machine – Girls Aloud
White Christmas – Bing Crosby
Finally, tell us something nobody knows about the band.
We are addicted to Deal or no Deal.
We are addicted to Deal or no Deal.
This interview was originally published on www.culturedeluxe.com
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