Indie rock/ psych band Soybomb speak with me about bringing their music to the UK. Originally from Switzerland and now living in Berlin, the trio are making a stamp in the ever growing European music scene. We discuss song writing, multi-lingual artistry and their latest music releases.
So, I suppose we should start at the beginning! When did you start making music as a three?
Back in 2014 it was. We met at music university in Zürich. At the time I had written some new songs and wanted to try them out with a project. We were jamming a lot and there was that great intuitive connection right away. Even today this improvisational approach is the essence of our live shows.
Who are your main musical influences?
Us three. We have such different musical backgrounds and approaches to music. We are interested in what happens when all of them clash. There is no artist or band we all adore equally. If I had to name three influences for every bandmember I'd say: 1. Lou Reed, David Bowie, Wilco 2. Oscar Peterson, Paul Simon, Düsseldorf Düsterboys 3. Radiohead, Explosions In The Sky, Earh Wind & Fire
Congratulations on your album Jonglage. Where did this album come from and how did you go about writing it? Was there anything in particular you wanted to achieve with this album?
Jonglage did have a plan: We wanted to record the songs at the moment they felt crisp. We worked very quick on some tunes. Sometimes we wrote a song and recorded the final version the next day. Still, it took us a long time to do the album, cause we tried out a lot of different numbers and only recorded when we were confient. The whole record feels like a big quest - still looking for our own sound but having funny encounters on the way. I also think lyrically the search for things is a key issue. It's a record about becoming an adult, with all the uncertainties that are part of the process.
I first heard your music through Sumati Presents in Liverpool. Was this your first gig here? What were your impressions of Liverpool’s music scene? Did you feel welcomed as artists from a different country?
It was our first gig in Liverpool and a very cool experience. We played the Zanzibar which was quiet a big venue related to other shows we did in England. We felt most welcome and appreciated. Unfortunately we didn't catch much of the local scene itself, but what we saw was enough to make us come back for sure.
I’ve noticed you sing in English, is there a reason behind this? Do you feel this is common for artists who do not have English as its first language?
Yeah it's actually quite common on the continent. Some countries have a stronger native-language pop culture, I would name France as an example. Swiss German hasn't got a glorious history of native pop/rock music. But it's actually starting to change for the better. English is everywhere. You grow up to music mainly from England or the USA. That's the language most people intuitively go to when they start writing. But I'm still ambivalent about writing in English. I think I can write proper and good sounding lyrics but I'm afraid it doesn't get any deeper than that. I have ambitions to add more German and Swiss-German to the mix in the future.
Coming from Berlin, how did you feel about playing your music to a new audience in the UK?
The UK was really maybe the most welcoming country we've ever played in. I think they can identify themselves with both our humour and our music.
I love your new single Delicate High. What was the inspiration for this single?
I remember writing it in bed one hung over morning. I programmed an instrumental loop and sang along with it. At the time I was inspired by falsetto vocals like Princes «It's gonna be lonely» or Beck's «Debra» (where the chords probably also came from). I just wrote about how I cycled home on the from a techno festival a few hours before, feeling a bit lost and probably love sick.
How are you finding the current climate is impacting you? How is it impacting you personally, artistically and as a collective?
The biggest impact it had, was that we all had time to deliberate. We could step outside our current routine and take an outside view on your lives and work as a band. This enforced break gave us the chance to make elaborate plans for the future
Undoubtedly, the arts industry is taking a massive hit at this moment in time. Do you have anything thoughts on the future, where we go from here?
I really don't know where this goes. Music will never disappear, not matter what the state of the industry is, that's for sure. I'm disgusted of that big corporation business going on anyway. Maybe we will return to a more primary form of music. From producer directly to listener. Or reintroduce music as a collective happening.
How can we make music more inclusive and accessible for multilingual artists?
It's a complex problem. But I strongly believe in the power of education. We need institutions and projects to integrate diversity. Widen the field of possibilities to the young folks.
Berlin is famous in the UK for its rich music culture. Can you explain what it is like as an artist living/ working in Berlin’s music scene.
Honestly, after two years in Berlin we are still in a process of settling. Until now, the focus was on touring and getting things under control in general (band management, finances, studio, apartment). From what we have experienced so far I can tell: It's difficult but it broadens the horizon. It's tough to be one in a billion artists living there. It can make you feel very small. But we managed to strengthen our singularity. I'd say the biggest affect Berlin had on me so far was that it required me to develop.
What can the UK learn from the music industry within Berlin/ Switzerland?
Hospitality at shows makes 50% percent of the experience for the band. Especially in Switzerland you are taken very good care of - they want to make you feel comfortable. England can be a bit mechanical at times. Play show, receive cash, leave. Not everywhere though!
Finally, how can we globally connect through music? How do we break the system and empower others through music?
Get your head's out of social media. Go out there, collaborate with people, become friends.
Soybomb's latest EP release, 'Sauvage' is out now .
words by Mary Olive.
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