We spoke to superb Liverpool rockers Joe Symes & The Loving Kind about life as a truly independent band and the current scene. Here's what those scamps had to say for themselves.
So to start things off, I wanna talk about the response you guys have had since releasing your album. Your physical copies have sold out and you have found yourselves getting a lot more followers and bigger platforms to perform. How has it all felt for you guys?
JOE - The response has been really great and amazing feedback from around the UK & the world, We have had Actors/Actresses from the US who are now fans of the band. Mike Shiflett, Mathew Modine & Robin Weigert all have our debut album, also Everton footballer Leighton Baines has our debut album. The gigs have all been fantastic and we have a lot more gigs to confirm & festivals to announce also.
CHRIS - Yeah the response has been amazing. People tweeting us saying they love the album E.T.C, and on the back of it more and more gigs coming. It's good meeting people at the gigs who have come to see us after they have heard good things, so that's nice.
COLIN - I personally feel very proud to be part of a band that'S gained so much recognition in such a short time. The fact that so many people globally - and that includes actors and actresses from the U.S - like what we do is quite surreal at times.
DAVE - It's a great feeling knowing that people become interested in your music and actually start to follow you. With the saturation of bands, especially in Liverpool, it's doubly pleasing that you stand out and get recognized. Although a stranger hasn't stopped me in the street yet!
PAUL - It's a good feeling obtaining continuing recognition and it's growing all the time.
CHRIS - Yeah the response has been amazing. People tweeting us saying they love the album E.T.C, and on the back of it more and more gigs coming. It's good meeting people at the gigs who have come to see us after they have heard good things, so that's nice.
COLIN - I personally feel very proud to be part of a band that'S gained so much recognition in such a short time. The fact that so many people globally - and that includes actors and actresses from the U.S - like what we do is quite surreal at times.
DAVE - It's a great feeling knowing that people become interested in your music and actually start to follow you. With the saturation of bands, especially in Liverpool, it's doubly pleasing that you stand out and get recognized. Although a stranger hasn't stopped me in the street yet!
PAUL - It's a good feeling obtaining continuing recognition and it's growing all the time.
Certain bands will spend years scrabbling round for attention and to get to the level that you guys have found in a relatively short space of time. How have you guys dealt with the pacey rise to prominence?
COLIN - Really well, I'd say. We're very confident in what we do, but at the same time modest. One thing I can't stand is a band or individual musician who gets some sort of recognition - no matter how big or small - and their head inflates to the size of Jupiter. Believe me, I've met people like that, and they made me ill.
PAUL - I tend to concentrate on what's the next step and how to build our achievements.
JOE - I'd like to put it down to all the hard work we have been doing and also having a great manager to represent the band.
I'm dealing with it really well myself.
DAVE - I think there are certain ways of going about your business. You're courteous to other bands and venues yet you persist to the levels of becoming a hindrance to get yourself noticed. Doing this consistently pays dividends.
CHRIS - It comes with the hard work that has gone in it. We put in a lot so it's nice when it pays off.
PAUL - I tend to concentrate on what's the next step and how to build our achievements.
JOE - I'd like to put it down to all the hard work we have been doing and also having a great manager to represent the band.
I'm dealing with it really well myself.
DAVE - I think there are certain ways of going about your business. You're courteous to other bands and venues yet you persist to the levels of becoming a hindrance to get yourself noticed. Doing this consistently pays dividends.
CHRIS - It comes with the hard work that has gone in it. We put in a lot so it's nice when it pays off.
What advice would you give to others bands out there in terms of promoting yourself and getting your name out into the open?
DAVE - I think you have to look at what other bands are doing and either do it better or do something that no-one else is doing. Stand out from the crowd and get yourself noticed (in the most positive way possible).
PAUL - If your doing something different then you're probably right.
CHRIS....As a musician you get into a band because of the love of playing, so never lose that desire to want to play. Just keep plugging away and use all of the available media you can.
COLIN - Believe in yourself, promote yourself everywhere, and continue to do so on a regular. There's no point in putting up a website, then leaving it thinking people will just find you. It doesn't word like that. You have to attract people's attention and let them know you're there.
JOE - Never give up what you are doing, If you believe in what you are doing then stick to it and never let anyone else tell you different.
PAUL - If your doing something different then you're probably right.
CHRIS....As a musician you get into a band because of the love of playing, so never lose that desire to want to play. Just keep plugging away and use all of the available media you can.
COLIN - Believe in yourself, promote yourself everywhere, and continue to do so on a regular. There's no point in putting up a website, then leaving it thinking people will just find you. It doesn't word like that. You have to attract people's attention and let them know you're there.
JOE - Never give up what you are doing, If you believe in what you are doing then stick to it and never let anyone else tell you different.
With the landscape of music changing drastically over the past decade, as social media and downloads have usurped live music and physical music formats, what tool would you say is now the most effective for promoting your music these days?
PAUL - Yes social media is the biggest step in music now becoming global but you have to keep things personal for fans.
JOE - Well social media has played a big part in what we are doing but I think you also have to keep playing LIVE so that you have the connection with the audience, and that you also meet the people who buying your music and attending gigs.
CHRIS - I love the idea of the best media outlet being live gigs, but unfortunately in the modern social media age there does appear to be a decline in people going to watch live music to find something new, as this can all be done on line! But I think a balance of using social media can be a very good tool.
DAVE - The internet had drastically changed the landscape as now you can promote yourself to the world for free. With the advent of Myspace then Reverbnation among other platforms, it encourages newcomers to the music scene a big void to use and get yourself out there. It'd be interesting how we'd be without it now. I thought about streaming gigs a while back and we just did one the other week. So even gigs can now be enjoyed all over the world. Your band can be the entertainment in someones home. Astounding TBH.
JOE - Well social media has played a big part in what we are doing but I think you also have to keep playing LIVE so that you have the connection with the audience, and that you also meet the people who buying your music and attending gigs.
CHRIS - I love the idea of the best media outlet being live gigs, but unfortunately in the modern social media age there does appear to be a decline in people going to watch live music to find something new, as this can all be done on line! But I think a balance of using social media can be a very good tool.
DAVE - The internet had drastically changed the landscape as now you can promote yourself to the world for free. With the advent of Myspace then Reverbnation among other platforms, it encourages newcomers to the music scene a big void to use and get yourself out there. It'd be interesting how we'd be without it now. I thought about streaming gigs a while back and we just did one the other week. So even gigs can now be enjoyed all over the world. Your band can be the entertainment in someones home. Astounding TBH.
What has been your fondest memory or funniest anecdote you have picked up along your journey as a band so far?
COLIN - There's so many. I guess there was a time when I was talking to someone in London and.....honestly I must've been hungover and suffering from a very rare bought of absentmindedness.........but I got two completely different countries mixed up during the conversation. I don't know how it happened, I don't know why it happened. All I can say is it won't happen again. Phew! Next question.
DAVE - Joe's obsession with tea. He's a tea-aholic. Seriously!
CHRIS - I love going down to London to play. Long journeys in a van are interesting!!!!!
PAUL - it's gotta be the seemingly endless takes on the penny whistle!
JOE - The laughs we had making our debut album, some moments even with tea bags.
DAVE - Joe's obsession with tea. He's a tea-aholic. Seriously!
CHRIS - I love going down to London to play. Long journeys in a van are interesting!!!!!
PAUL - it's gotta be the seemingly endless takes on the penny whistle!
JOE - The laughs we had making our debut album, some moments even with tea bags.
How important do you think it is to work alongside other bands, promoters and get involved in scenes in order to make a name for yourself or simply get the most out of your experience at any level of music?
JOE - I think it's important to all get along in this city and to help each other out if need be. I'm not really into scenes and having to be seen at a certain venue or been seen with certain people, although it's nice when you meet people that you have respect for and for the work they have done/doing.
COLIN - Yeah, very important. No point in bands being constantly competitive with each other. After all we're all in it for the same reasons.
DAVE - Well we've had gigs where bands don't even talk to you but we were in Manchester the other month and every band were really nice. One even asked do we want to have a meal with them!! Yeah I think it helps to have good relations because that particular band found it hard to get into Liverpool. So we could look at getting them on with us in the future and likewise back at their end. It helps give bands an outlet into something I'm all for it!
PAUL - A lot of bands don't even speak to each other but as we've found there's much to gain from working together in promoting and gigging around the country.
CHRIS - It essential to get along with promoters and bands, as these are people who in the same industry, but not necessarily to make a name for yourself! It's good to get along with other people as it makes the experience of gigging and mixing with other bands more enjoyable, like I said before, I love live music so really enjoy getting to see other bands. Look at The Threshold Festival that took place recently around Liverpool, loads of bands mixing with each other and seeing each play, its a good community spirit.
COLIN - Yeah, very important. No point in bands being constantly competitive with each other. After all we're all in it for the same reasons.
DAVE - Well we've had gigs where bands don't even talk to you but we were in Manchester the other month and every band were really nice. One even asked do we want to have a meal with them!! Yeah I think it helps to have good relations because that particular band found it hard to get into Liverpool. So we could look at getting them on with us in the future and likewise back at their end. It helps give bands an outlet into something I'm all for it!
PAUL - A lot of bands don't even speak to each other but as we've found there's much to gain from working together in promoting and gigging around the country.
CHRIS - It essential to get along with promoters and bands, as these are people who in the same industry, but not necessarily to make a name for yourself! It's good to get along with other people as it makes the experience of gigging and mixing with other bands more enjoyable, like I said before, I love live music so really enjoy getting to see other bands. Look at The Threshold Festival that took place recently around Liverpool, loads of bands mixing with each other and seeing each play, its a good community spirit.
Are there any acts you know or have worked alongside that you would recommend to your fans to checkout?
DAVE - This will seem incredibly biased but my sister Sophie Anderson. She supported us at our album launch and was very well received. Check her out! ;-)
CHRIS - I just love being out and seeing bands, especially bands I've never heard of before. There are some real hidden gems in this city at the moment.
PAUL - There's the I.P.O Festival coming up in Liverpool soon which has many local and international bands worth watching.
JOE - There are so many we have worked with I couldn't mention all of them, but good luck to anyone trying to get along in this business.
CHRIS - I just love being out and seeing bands, especially bands I've never heard of before. There are some real hidden gems in this city at the moment.
PAUL - There's the I.P.O Festival coming up in Liverpool soon which has many local and international bands worth watching.
JOE - There are so many we have worked with I couldn't mention all of them, but good luck to anyone trying to get along in this business.
What has been the favourite show and/or venue you guys have performed at?
CHRIS - I'm looking forward to heading up to Scotland this month, I've never played in Glasgow before.
PAUL - The Cavern, may not be the original but is good vibe playing there.
COLIN - I can't name just one. 02 Academy Liverpool, Scala in London, Ruby Lounge in Manchester, to name a few.
DAVE - As Joe has mentioned everywhere we have played has been great but for me I think it was either the bandstand in Sefton Park in Liverpool or the bandstand in Liverpool City Centre just before Christmas. Playing outdoors gets peoples attention and although venues are brilliant there is something about seeing people in the street or in the park walking past and then hearing you, They stop and you can see the though process and thinking do I like it? Ha! Ha! And they all do. People Christmas shopping stopping for a rest or strolling in the sun hearing a song and stopping to watch. I love outdoor gigging plus I can get a tan when the suns out!
JOE - I've enjoyed all the gigs we have played so far, i really love performing knowing that the audience are there to watch you play.
PAUL - The Cavern, may not be the original but is good vibe playing there.
COLIN - I can't name just one. 02 Academy Liverpool, Scala in London, Ruby Lounge in Manchester, to name a few.
DAVE - As Joe has mentioned everywhere we have played has been great but for me I think it was either the bandstand in Sefton Park in Liverpool or the bandstand in Liverpool City Centre just before Christmas. Playing outdoors gets peoples attention and although venues are brilliant there is something about seeing people in the street or in the park walking past and then hearing you, They stop and you can see the though process and thinking do I like it? Ha! Ha! And they all do. People Christmas shopping stopping for a rest or strolling in the sun hearing a song and stopping to watch. I love outdoor gigging plus I can get a tan when the suns out!
JOE - I've enjoyed all the gigs we have played so far, i really love performing knowing that the audience are there to watch you play.
Who has been the best promoter, live music, internet based or otherwise you have worked with?
JOE - All the promoters we have worked with have been really nice people and have always looked after us.
DAVE - Everyone has been great. They greet us with open arms and likewise with us. We are privileged to have worked with some great promoters and organizers. Thanks to you all for your support and dedication :-)
DAVE - Everyone has been great. They greet us with open arms and likewise with us. We are privileged to have worked with some great promoters and organizers. Thanks to you all for your support and dedication :-)
One of the most heated debates on the unsigned circuit at the moment is the whole ‘bands being paid’ debacle. Where do you stand when it comes to this judging from your vast gigging experience?
DAVE - I agree with Joe there should be some sort of arrangement for bands especially if you're travelling from say Glasgow to London. That's over 400 miles and the expense of getting there is very high so if you are able to keep a crowd and keep them entertained long enough then there should be something in place for bands who dedicate their lives and art on little or no money to be rewarded for their hard work.
COLIN - No question about it. Bands should be paid at least something. They did years ago.
PAUL - I always look at it like trying to get a small businesses off the ground, it's always going to be difficult and don't expect to make any money for the first couple of years.
CHRIS - Unfortunately we live in a corporate world where the dollar speaks, so everyone wants to make money from nights, the bands invariably end up as the ones taking the hit, playing for free. I understand its a good opportunity to get your music out but yeah, I think there should at least be the option to cover expenses, petrol etc! Like they say, only a musician would put £5K worth of equipment into a £1K car, and travel 500 miles to play a £50 gig!
JOE - I think that if you play gigs then you should at least get some sort of payment/expenses, after all you have to travel to gigs and that costs money, you can't be expected to travel hundreds of miles to play a gig and not get paid ? I think if it's a local gig and it's a non paying gig then you have to do them type of gigs in order to get your name around, But then again that's up to the bands/solo artists themselves if they want to do that ?
COLIN - No question about it. Bands should be paid at least something. They did years ago.
PAUL - I always look at it like trying to get a small businesses off the ground, it's always going to be difficult and don't expect to make any money for the first couple of years.
CHRIS - Unfortunately we live in a corporate world where the dollar speaks, so everyone wants to make money from nights, the bands invariably end up as the ones taking the hit, playing for free. I understand its a good opportunity to get your music out but yeah, I think there should at least be the option to cover expenses, petrol etc! Like they say, only a musician would put £5K worth of equipment into a £1K car, and travel 500 miles to play a £50 gig!
JOE - I think that if you play gigs then you should at least get some sort of payment/expenses, after all you have to travel to gigs and that costs money, you can't be expected to travel hundreds of miles to play a gig and not get paid ? I think if it's a local gig and it's a non paying gig then you have to do them type of gigs in order to get your name around, But then again that's up to the bands/solo artists themselves if they want to do that ?
And lastly, what is next for Joe Symes and The Loving Kind now you have a lot more expectation and buzz behind you?
JOE - We have our next single out in July with a single launch party, Venue TBC then we start work on our next 14 track album. The new single will not be on the next album because we don't want to con the public and put a single out then have the same songs again on the album.
CHRIS - Single out soon, festivals over the summer and then back in to start on the album! Cant wait
COLIN - Really looking forward to our next releases. Looking forward to some outdoor gigs too. We're meant to be having a good summer this year. Well.....fingers crossed.
DAVE - Lots of irons in lots of fires some of which we cant disclose but we're working hard on new material and we keep on keeping on. ;-)
CHRIS - Single out soon, festivals over the summer and then back in to start on the album! Cant wait
COLIN - Really looking forward to our next releases. Looking forward to some outdoor gigs too. We're meant to be having a good summer this year. Well.....fingers crossed.
DAVE - Lots of irons in lots of fires some of which we cant disclose but we're working hard on new material and we keep on keeping on. ;-)