Interview with Park Days

Photo by Alex Wood

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

• I grew up in a fairly musical family so had the opportunity to learn Clarinet which set me off. However I wasn’t really into music until I was 12 and heard an advert for Coldplay’s Viva La Vida on TV, from then on I was hooked and it made me want to learn guitar. It’s hard to say as it’s difficult to separate music from my life but I think I’d be doing something else creative - maybe I’d try and write a book!

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

• Some stuff like watching films and reading books definitely does. I have a film camera and some of the photos I’ve taken I’ve used for album art including the Down and Out cover. Other stuff like playing football or ps4 is just a way to relax!

How long have you been making music?

• I’ve been playing the Clarinet since I was 8 but started writing music myself when I was about 12 / 13. That when I started learning guitar and piano and instantly went about trying to write songs.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

• I grew up in a village just outside Chichester which is a small city, it’s quite a quiet area so I think that kind of feeds into the music. Recently I’ve been living in Brighton which is a different experience so I guess both places will weave their way in somehow. Both cities are quite near the sea which is therapeutic and a good place to go if you need to clear your head.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

• That I’ve attended or played? As a gig go-er seeing Fleet Foxes live at Brixton Academy stands out - amazing band and Robin Pecknold’s vocals were just so on point all night.

• Played - recently with my main band Dutch Criminal Record we headlined Powerhaus / Dingwalls which was amazing! Also playing in Europe with Sea Girls was an incredible experience. Haven’t done many shows as Park Days… yet! 

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

• The Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth was our local proper gig venue growing up, I’ve played there a few times and it’s always special. Supporting Sea Girls we played AB Brussels and the catering / green room was so amazing that it has to get a mention. I’d love to play somewhere like the Hollywood Bowl probably a pipe dream but you never know.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

• Coldplay headline, The Strokes main support, Park Days (me) opening.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music?

• Don’t worry about being successful or famous just write music that means something to you. Everything else is window dressing but the songs are what matter. It might not make you famous but I think if you stay true to yourself with that then you’ll be on the right trajectory (hopefully)!

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

• I think at every step of the way don’t panic and keep going!

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

• Well this is my first release as Park Days so it would have to be this one. I am really proud of this track and it’s continued to sound fresh to my ears despite working on it over the last couple years.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

• Having done a grand total of one gig I don’t get many requests. Down and Out was a favourite of my friends and I also have some unreleased tunes which my friends ask to hear the demos of haha - there’s one in the works called Hearts Take A Very Long Time To Heal.

What is your creative process like, and what inspires you to write your music?

• I tend to just sit down with a guitar or occasionally at a piano and play around til I get something good! Then when I do I grab a voice note recording of it then later down the line will demo it on my laptop. Usually the best songs turn up when something is going on in my life that I want to get off my chest.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

• I usually just like to write about myself most of the time. I find it’s much easier to write lyrics about my own experiences and it’s maybe the only thing I actually feel qualified to write about. I think if you can talk about something that’s bothering you but still leave the listening feeling uplifted then you’re onto a winner!

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

• I have a piano demo of Down and Out which will be released on April 26th. I recorded it on my grandma’s piano just after I wrote it on my phone and although it’s a bit rough around the edges it has a charm which I like and hopefully everyone else will too.