Interview with Deadlock
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
Looking back on it, I couldn't honestly pin point one thing specifically. It's not as if I grew up in a musical environment. Don't get me wrong, I knew my parents had records and such but it was nothing I paid a great deal of attention to - unlike those who get inspired to play from what they discovered in their parents record collection, kinda thing you hear of.
I think I was about 10 when I got hold of a keyboard and set it up in my room. Started learning where the notes were and such and played around with it, but nothing really came from that. I just could tell you where the notes were. It was something I just messed about with. I was around that age, perhaps a year on, I found out what Kerrang and Scuzz TV was. Well that was a game changer from just hearing the random Blink or Green Day songs from friends at school. It could've been that that made me think about learning guitar as I remember it becoming a thing around then. And as most kids do - ask their parents.Anyways yeah long story short - I can't really say I honestly know what it was. But from a young age something about it interested me and clearly gelled with my interests and here we are today.
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
I'm a really boring person. I think I like my own space but it drives me mad really and I get in weird headspaces so I end up just writing or listening to music. Aside from that I don't actually have a lot of time due to my work life balances.
How long has your band been around?
Good question. As a band/the solo project you hear and see right now? Then literally since earlier this year. The writing, ideas and everything has been a development and evolution for a little while. It's like before I finished 'Deadweight', it was something I was messing about with initially like way before the Covid 19 lockdown - and further back than that as a matter of fact. But it has changed instrumentally and lyrically so much I don't even recognise it.
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
Based in Norwich (UK). The only city that's about in the area. The county here is pretty much fields for miles then small towns and villages. There isn't a lot going on besides agriculture in-between places.
I can't say it has influenced me musically. But it does have some bands I like come through the area on smaller tours and seeing live music is always inspirational. For me it is anyways. Actually, I suppose if you go with that - Norwich is one of those places that sometimes gets missed off it, personally it kinda feels like you can see bands on that 'transition period' between breaking through and establishing themselves if that makes any sense?.
How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?
'Deadlocked' by Youth Fountain speaks volumes. But my partner said 'Deadlock' sounded better. So she kinda played a part in that final decision.
Tell me about your most memorable shows.
So I actually haven't played any shows as Deadlock. Depending on when this goes live, I've got our Single release show at the end of July. But including all of the shows I've played to date, it was probably the time I played with As It Is. That was forever ago though. Like when they released 'This Mind of Mine'. That show is just significant for what it was though. I really vibed what they were putting out and I was 17 at the time so I kinda felt like a big deal. Looking back, it does make me laugh at the younger me and how I thought about stuff. It feels really cringey in a lot of ways. Hence the reason I laugh.
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
Is it disappointing that I don't immediately come up with some of the biggest names? If you've had a chance to check the single’s press release it’s literally any of those bands. Yep. As It Is being one of them. But yeah Neck Deep, Boston Manor etc. Basically any band I take a lot of influence from or listen to a lot would be awesome.
What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?
I kinda touched on it earlier how this release, albeit, being the first - has been something that's evolved over time. But generally I write some random stuff when I let myself get into some negative mindsets. If something sticks out I kinda write it in parallel to the music, as opposed to music followed by lyrics or vice versa.
Despite its long development, the significant ideas and the music that goes with it kinda went together at the same time. It's always been that way really. Personally, lyrical content is so important so I try to develop the most appropriate sound for what seems right in my head at the time for it. For Deadlock it's kinda the only way at present. Being that is just me.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
Music is so powerful and subjective. One person could take meaning and relate to it in a way that is different from its initial purpose. I'm not gonna lie about it, I'm a bit weird about it and very particular on what I write about. Like there are only certain subjects I feel comfortable with. Whether that is a good or a bad thing, who knows?. Deadweight and what I'm working on for future release aren't exactly carbon copies of one another but to give context, they follow the theme of mental health struggles. Inner conflict. Stuff like that. Pretty much what I said about the negative head spaces I get in.
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
This is the first milestone for the band. Deadweight is coming out July 29th. It's the first single for the project. There's a lyric video for it out now as an early preview. It’s streaming exclusively on our YouTube until it’s officially available on digital platforms.
Pre save available https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/deadlock/deadweight
The future, whether it is near or slightly further, includes what is probably the obvious. - planning on releasing more music & playing shows. The general.
Connect with Deadlock (UK)
https://www.facebook.com/UKDEADLOCK
https://twitter.com/UKDEADLOCK