OSM: Please can you tell us who is in Picture The Scene and what they play.
So Picture The Scene is technically just myself in my room, writing and recording all of the parts that you hear on the record. But when we go out on tour my best mates Louis Cowling (Drums), Jim Bannister (Bass) and Jake Day (Lead Guitar) all come out with me and form the live band!
OSM: How did the project come together?
I’ve always been playing music for as long as I can remember but mainly as part of other bands; but it was only during that first lockdown when I decided to actually take my own music that I’d been writing seriously - and so I started up Picture The Scene as a way to stop myself from going insane, honestly it may have had the opposite effect at this point but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
OSM: Your new single, ‘Goodbye”’ is out now. What was the general songwriting process and are there any interesting stories around the recording?
So the songwriting process was the usual for me, that being I would demo all of the music in my room and then go to my producer Jake’s place at North Acre Studios where we would flesh it out and bring it to life. Annoyingly for Jake and just about everybody else involved in the process, I struggle writing lyrics and it’s not unusual for a song to go several months without any. So whilst the music was recorded in June 2021, the vocals weren’t actually finished until November (sorry Jake) - I guess I tend to take my time because they’re the most important part for me and I want to get them right!
OSM: From your point of view, what is the song about, what is its message?
Without going into too much detail because I think there’s always something nice about leaving it up to the listener to decide for themselves; Goodbye is a release of emotions that I think is the most uplifting and happier track of ours to date. It definitely stems from a place of joy and is really about accepting a change and being reminded to leave your baggage at the door and to love yourself in spite of it all : )
OSM: What challenges have you faced since launching the band?
Ahhh mainly a revolving act of band members haha! I think because at the end of the day it’s a solo project, I’ve been so fortunate to work with so many talented musicians but it does mean the line up can be subject to change every now and then! I’m lucky that right now the band has the strongest line up to date and I don’t think they’re going anywhere anytime soon (let’s hope)!
OSM: Which other artists would you say you are influenced by?
So many. Though I think right now Biffy Clyro are up there, I think the way they keep coming back with a new sound but an equally great record - not to mention how good they are live - is very inspiring to me as a songwriter and big live band. Also have to mention Wet Leg because what the’ve done for guitar bands and putting us back in the mainstream in the last 6 months has been so great to watch!
OSM: What are Picture The Scene’s plans for the year ahead?
So we’re full steam ahead at the minute - with four more singles due this year and it’s looking like 3 more tours too, we’re going to be very busy!
OSM: If you could change anything about the industry what would it be?
Hmmmm, the attitude we have towards it? For better or worse the industry is what it is and as growing artists there’s unfortunately very little we can do to change it right now. I think if more bands and artists recognised it’s changing and tried to adapt to the new system in order to climb up the ladder, we’d find ourselves in our own positions of power from which we could start to instigate change from there.
OSM: If you could share the stage with another band or performer who would it be?
Good question, I think it would be a close call between Queens Of The Stone Age or Wolf Alice right now, they’re two of the most insane live bands I’ve ever seen and I can’t wait to play along side them one day.
OSM: What do you enjoy most about being in a band?
The shows. In my mind this band is built for our fans and our little community that we’ve started to grow around us. When we go on stage, especially now shows are beginning to sell out, and are able to entertain and bring together a room full of strangers - it’s the best feeling on the planet!
OSM: What songs are on your playlist right now, which songs are you into at the moment?
Having a very old school moment this week - three tracks you NEED to hear (possibly not for the first time) are:
- Doom & Gloom, Rolling Stones
- Dear Mr Fantasty, Traffic
- Shaddap You Face, Joe Dolce (thank me later)
Add comment
Comments