Recently, I had the opportunity to interview, as well as learn about one of Scotland’s upcoming music acts: Royal Bloom. Below is some information about the band, as well as my efforts to try uncover more about them. Enjoy,
Keith
Royal Bloom
Lewis Wise (Guitar and Vocals)
Aaron Dick (Bass Guitar)
Kyle McKnight (Drums)
After playing their first gig in Kilmarnock just under 3 years ago, Royal Bloom have been building up not only on their reputation, but their public appeal and professionalism. Releasing their first EP titled Under the Bridge in late 2016, the band have recently been playing gigs at venues such as King Tuts, o2 and the Glasgow Garage. After signing a management deal with Force AMP Management earlier this year, the band planning a total of 19 further gigs throughout the year around the UK.
Where / how did the band form?
To be honest the band formed at the last minute it possibly could form. I left my last band looking for what we have now but with a twist. I said to myself if I couldn’t find the right people for the band within 9 months, it’s time to move on. After going on for several months with no luck, it felt like a lost cause and that it was never going to happen for me. Then one night, I went to a friends 18th and got introduced to her boyfriend at the time (Aaron Dick). Next thing I knew, he had his old pal Allan round the next day who played drums for us. But unfortunately, Allan ended up leaving the band through creative differences. Kyle then became our new drummer in our 2nd year.
What’s the best gig / concert you’ve ever played? What made it that bit more special?
Best gig we’ve ever played would have to be in our home town Ayr at Sound Magic. Nothing is more special to me than seeing people have a good time and rocking out while we’re having a great time on stage too. Playing at home is always going to be that wee bit more special. I mean what’s better than home?
What are your next gigs?
Headline Z1 Youth bar Girvan – under 25s £2 entry for Cancer research – 09/03/19
13th Note Glasgow -18+ £7 entry supporting The Howling Lords – 23/03/19
Newcastle Head of Steam – TBA – 24/05/19
Is there a memory that makes you smile no matter how many times you think about it?
No, we’re all miserable ass heck, nah just kidding. Tour last year was pretty grim, grim as in rough as hell. The shows were awesome but nobody ever tells you the stuff that happens in-between. We were on tour and we were all broke so we could only afford 1 night in a hotel, the rest of the nights we camped. As you could probably guess, playing a gig then packing up late after the show and trying to find a place to pitch a tent was a pretty dreadful task!
One time after a gig, at 3am heading to bed with our tent pitched at the top of Loch Ness all hell broke loose. The pegs at the front of the tent had gave way, opening us up to gale force wind and the blistering rain. We were so drunk and tired that we just decided to try and sleep through it. Woke up, all our stuff was blown away and we had to get going to the next show. Pretty grim, but it’s really funny to me now, don’t get me wrong it was worth it.
Who’s the biggest influence in the band’s music?
That’s a hard one, could give you a huge list but long story short, we like to say ‘’if Alice in Chains got into a bar fight with Nirvana’’, that’s us. Other influences are Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Stereophonics, Chris Cornell and Black Sabbath.
Who turns up late to every rehearsal?
Aaron, but you can’t blame him though. He’s always straight in from his work
Favourite song you’ve wrote?
That’s a hard one. As a collective, probably our new track ‘Suffer Tomorrow’’. We hope that we can someday release it and let everyone hear it!
If you could be somewhere in the next 5 / 10 years, what would it be?
I think everyone’s got a bad understanding of what people in bands genuinely want. For sure, a lot want world domination. But we all just want to be able to live comfortably off our music. It’s not an impossible with hundreds of bands out there doing just that. A roof over my head, being able to treat my girlfriend/ family and a modest life will do me just fine
Appropriate links
Music Review Scotland 