BEING NOSEY WITH ...
Brad Dear
So, it seemed fitting seeing as Brad is releasing an EP soon I would do an interview with him as a little teaser for you guys and some publicity for him! I first met Brad at wistful 2015, although since then he has become a brother from another mother! Anyway, most of you know him so he doesn't really need much of an introduction... Enjoy!
As a musician, you must get asked asked this question all the time, but when and why did you start playing and writing your own music?
I started writing lyrics when I was about 13/14 I was in a band with some school mates. I wanted to start writing songs because I was an angry child I thought the world owed me something when In fact it was me who owed the world but I wanted my say! I was in the terrible point in my life as every teenager is, and adult has been where they don’t know if they’re and adult or a child, I was sick of school and wanted another outlet to be productive we all did so we formed a band and it went from there I guess.
Your parents really support you in your music, as a child, what music did you hear the most and does that differ to what you listen to now?
Yeah they do!! My parents and the rest of my family are a huge part of why I want to play music because when I was a kid all kinds of music was played along with some horrible 90’s pop!!
These days I listen to all sorts but at the moment I’m listening to a lot of Catfish And The Bottlemen, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Eels, and The Streets.
Not only do you play as a solo act but you also have a band with Andy Hogg, Christopher Reed and Lizzie Morris. When did you meet the rest of the band and how long have you been together now?
I met Chris in 2014 then we met Andy In 2015 and then lizzie joined in 2016 so we’ve really been together propperly as a four piece for only around 8 – 9 months its been lots of hard work but its great fun! I couldn’t have a better band behind me and mostly we’re all really close!
So, You are releasing a new EP called 'The Only Road I Know', what sort of things should we be expecting from this EP?
Yes! Firstly you’ve heard them all before but not like this!! We’ve been recording with Phil Wilbraham I’ve known Phil for years from way back when, when I was in a metal band called The Inside Is Live and he’s also done sound for me and the band countless times so Phil knows our sound too which is a bonus!!! The EP Is very towards the Folky, more rootsy side of myself and the band but there's an electric track on there!! I don’t think that people will be expecting whats to come and i'm very excited for people to hear it, it sounds massive!
Can you tell us the songwriting process you go through to write your songs?
There isn't really a process to writing the songs, well there is but it’s a secret ;)
If i'm inspired at the time I’ll try and write a full song in one go and then pull it apart and re-think things lyrically and change parts as I go along. But some songs I write and leave them how they are like long road home I wrote that in 15 minutes haha!
Your EP launch is at the Bodega, what made you pick this venue for your EP launch?
I chose the bodega because it’s a venue that means a lot to me I’ve got a lot of history with DHP and especially the bodega I’ve done some amazing performances there ones I’ll always remember so It had to be at the bodega haha!!
What made you pick the title 'The Only Road I Know'?
I’ve been playing and singing from the tender age of 8 years old and I’ve done stage performances in musicals from being six years old, I’ve played the Artful Dodger in Oliver, Fat Sam in Bugsy Malone and the crazy dentist in Little Shop of Horrors. I was in a band at school and we were on the road a lot of the time. We even took time out of school to go and support Elliot Minor at rock city then I went “Solo” when I was 16 and I’ve been working at the music forever so it seems fitting that the EP is called The Only Road I Know.
Should we be expecting any unheard songs on this new ep?
You’ve heard all the songs on the EP there's a few for the album that you wont hear until its been recorded ;)
Who has been the biggest influence on you and the music you write?
The list is honestly endless I listen to all sorts of music and I’ve always been into strange obscure music that isn't really normal but you don’t want to hear about that haha.
I’ve always liked artists who can write lyrics very heart on there sleeve honesty but in the most honest way possible! The Streets front man Mike Skinner is one of my favorites for this he’s one of the reasons why I started looking into lyrics and wanting to learn more about how you can not only write a song about a story but be honest about it as well.
I always hated Oasis as a kid I still cant stand Liam’s voice however to this day but I’ve always loved the sound they had that big clear sound they knew exactly what they wanted to sound like and they did it really well.
Then finally I think the guy who's had the biggest impact on me not only growing up but still today is Bob Dylan he’s a guy who’s got thousands upon thousands of songs, written for the biggest names in the industry and I’m still finding new albums to listen to by him. “Bringging It Back Home” shows a n amazing side to Bob and every song on the album, every word down to the letter is thought out.
The first track on the album is Subterranean Homesick Blues its makes so much sense to me why he wrote it but it was written in 1965 its brilliant and still today people will relate to it. It’s got a element of movement to the album brilliant lyrics on the whole album its timeless!
I could write you a list of all sorts of music but I think I’ll leave it here hehe!!
If you had to give your band a slogan, what would it be?
Foot stomping tunes, with raw vocals and hard hitting lyrics? I'm not good at slogans haha!
A lot of people listen to songs and think 'Why didn't I think of that?'. If you could have written any song, what song would you pick?
Hmmm… Dog Train by The Levellers I think it’s the Intro that does it for me or
Silver Machine by Hawkwind (Lemmy Kidderminster) it’s a crazy Psych rock song for me it was so different when I first heard it, it wasn’t quite punk but it wasn’t quite rock I couldn’t work it out haha!!
A lot of people wish they had a super power. If you could choose any super power what would it be?
I’d love to be able to fly but really really fast and be able to fly around the universe that would be awesome!!
I know you have only just done this EP. But is this EP a taster of a future album to come?
Yes it is, but I’ve got to finish writing it first however I have plans to be in the studio with the band close to the end of the year :)
So, You have been announced to be supporting the Leylines on their new tour. Is there any plans of you doing a tour to promote your EP?
Yeah we’re looking into it, trying to get some supports on other bands tours while doing a few dates of my own around the country.
Lastly, What has been your favourite/best gig or festival you have ever played?
Oooh that’s a difficult one last years Farmer Phils was really cool because its so much fun, the crowd were amazing and the conga line was EPIC!! Or Holmfirth Picture Drome supporting NMA that was a dream come true haha!!
Brads EP 'The Only Road I Know' is available for pre-order now through his website. Here is the link. And if your can, come to the Bodega, Nottingham for his EP launch party on the 11th march. You can see updates from Brad on his Facebook and Twitter.. Also go and check our his music on Youtube and Soundcloud so you know what a treat you are in for!
Thanks Brad for the interview, and See you all in a field or a gig soon! <3