Stay Home Interviews: Helicon, Dream Nails, Daniel Armstrong

In part 2 of the Stay Home interviews, Cameron Pettit of Fish Bowl Events talks to John-Paul from Helicon, Lucy from Dream Nails and Daniel Armstrong, all of whom have contributed music to the 'Stay Home: Independent Artists Against Covid 19'  which you can listen to and buy from Bandcamp here.

Helicon

Tell us a bit about yourself:

John-Paul Hughes, I live just outside Glasgow and play guitar in Helicon. We make noise. Good fucking noise. Which you can acquaint yourself with and acquire, if you so desire, from Fuzz Club records.

What has changed for you as an artist during lockdown?

Aside from the obvious disappointment of having tours and festival appearances cancelled we've been really productive. All the lads in the band have installed basic recording equipment at home to work on ideas and demos then share to see how we can contribute and improve upon one another's ideas. It’s definitely been one of the most creative and productive periods of the band. We've all been pushing ourselves to be better musicians and hone our craft whilst learning more about production techniques. I've definitely acquired a new level of respect for producers and engineers. It’s a total head fuck.

Are there any tips that you can give to artists for the remainder of the lockdown, anything to help keep them sane, busy, productive etc.?

Don't sit about waiting for inspiration to strike. if you do, it wont. Just start and the ideas will begin to flow. Write separately, as individuals, then bring your ideas together for everyone to help make them better. That way you'll get more ideas to work with and explore more new territory than all working one idea at the same time together. If ever you were going to experiment, now is the time.

Can you recommend any artists that you’ve found during lockdown?

Lots of tremendous underground artists on this record i've really enjoyed listening to. I haven't found anyone new as such but rediscovered my admiration for the TVAM album Psychic Data and been enjoying the new albums by The Warlocks, Servo, Sonic Boom and Mogwai.

Dream Nails

Tell us a bit about the band:

We are Dream Nails and a punk force to be reckoned with! We started playing in 2015 after two of us met through their involvement with a feminist direct-action group and we mix political rage with contagious pop punk joy, winning hearts (and funds for abortion charities) wherever we go. We also review fries on our very own Youtube series, 'chipadvisor, which we take almost as seriously as our music and intersectional feminist politics. 

What has changed for you as a band during lockdown?

Everything! We were due to release our debut album on 3rd April, but this has now been postponed until 4th September. We were also due to go gallivanting around the UK and Europe on a headline tour. Although we miss each other loads and can't practice together, we have taken to recording acoustic sessions and have even created a workout-inspired lockdown music video with the help of our beautiful fans. Stay tuned!

Are there any tips that you can give to bands for the remainder of the lockdown, anything to help keep them sane, busy, productive etc.?

Hmm.. honestly no. I don't think I can add anything more profound to all the stuff that has already been said and I strongly feel that no one should feel the need to push or overexert themselves creatively or otherwise in this surreal time. If you are finding you're flourishing- great! otherwise, just chill and look after yourself. This is a time for self-maintenance, not necessarily creating your magnum opus. However, as it looks like live shows are going to be a no-no for the rest of 2020, bands and musicians need to get thinking about new ways to stay connected to their fans through home-sessions when the lockdown eases but venues stay shut.

Can you recommend any artists that you’ve found during lockdown?

Ya! I've been loving 'Low Hummer' a nice grungy Hull five-piece and have also been delving deep into 80's synth pop... I also just started listening to BC Camplight and have been digging into the NTS archives - Nabihah Iqbal is a real fave.

Daniel Armstrong​

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I’m Daniel Armstrong, a songwriter based in London. I also play guitar / banjo and sometimes bass in Frankie Teardrop Dead. My submission for the compilation, Lonely Summer, is a demo I made for a track I will be releasing at some point this year. I felt it was a fitting contribution however considering the circumstances as the song is about sudden displacement of friendships, loneliness, and nostalgia for better times.

What has changed for you as an artist during lockdown?

It sucks not knowing when your next show is going to be. I live for live music. I miss the atmosphere of being up on stage to a room full of people and feeling the pulsating and swelling of vibrations of sounds meandering back and forth which does grant one an inevitable aura of pleasure! I do hope there will be still venues left open to play in and or watch bands at after this blows over. Support your local venues!

Are there any tips that you can give to artists for the remainder of the lockdown, anything to help keep them sane, busy, productive etc.?

Keep playing music whether it's through live streaming / recording, getting into new artists or perhaps work on a new skill. If you can teach others your skills via zoom or Skype that also can be very rewarding, both spiritually and financially. It certainly helps with the routine.

Can you recommend any artists that you’ve found during lockdown?

I’m really digging Fontaines D.C, Shame, and listening to old live bootlegs of You Made Me Realise - era MBV at the moment.