Stay Home Interviews: Sophie Kilburn, The Durty Works, The Swagger,

In part 3 of the Stay Home interviews, Cameron Pettit of Fish Bowl Events talks to Sophie Kilburn, Ian from The Durty Works and The Swagger, all of whom have contributed music to the 'Stay Home: Independent Artists Against Covid 19'  compilation in aid of NHS Charities, which you can listen to and buy from Bandcamp here.

Sophie Kilburn

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Well hi, I’m Sophie Kilburn I am not from Kilburn but from a town called Matlock in Derbyshire. I have been living in London for the past few years. I took a leap with my music last year and started to self-release my material, which has been going well so far. I have been writing songs since I was eleven and just try to make music that is emotionally driven and honest. My vibe is probably Florence and the Machine fused with Phoebe Bridgers. I am a coffee addict who can eat a whole mozzarella ball in one sitting and I am deeply passionate about music and mental health. 

What has changed for you as an artist during lockdown?

Like many, lockdown has caused a reshuffe in plans with recording and releasing. I have been working with my producer Jack Gourlay remotely, which has been great and in the process I have gotten to work with session players at the top of their game who would normally be on tour so am grateful for that. I think lockdown has been a very up and down experience for me but you just have to adapt and do what you can do with what you got. I released my single Call Home on the 28th May so still plugging away!

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

I would say do your best to stay connected from your friends and family to your followers and fans. I have been focusing on songwriting and doing writing challenges to keep my creativity flowing. I would also say keep reminding yourself that there are a lot of things that your can’t control and yes it can be frustrating that things are on hold (I feel you there) but that doesn’t mean it will never start again. Do a new hobby or learn a new skill it doesn’t have to be music related it is about trying something new instead of staring at blank walls. 

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

Oh so many! I would say if you haven’t already check out Holly Humberstone and Moa Moa they are both awesome. Also, I discovered a band called Sea Girls who are great!  

The Durty Works

Tell us a bit about yourself:  

My names Ian, I’m the lead singer of the Durty Wurks. We’ve been going in Edinburgh now for about 7 years and we’re ready to go for another 7. 

What has changed for you as an artist during lockdown?

Mostly jamming. We stay in touch quite a lot because we get on so well but we haven’t seen each other for months. We tried jamming over web-chats and stuff but the latency just makes it impossible! (It has nothing to do with my terrible timing). With that being said, we have always produced our own material and lockdown has helped us find different ways to do that. We have actually just released a brand new single “How Love Grows”, that we wrote and recorded from the comfort of our own homes during lockdown.

The next big thing we miss is defnitely playing live, there’s nothing quite like seeing the smiling faces of a Stramash audience dancing away to one of your tunes and we canny wait to see that again.  

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.?

Well, let’s face it, there’s plenty to be writing about. The only advice I would ever give is to make music to feel good and not take it too seriously. 

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

I always go back to my old favourites really, The Valkarys are a legendary Edinburgh band. The Jackals too. Anything from Mechanical Arms, Bettie and the Bass or Frantic Chant and The Rhemedies. Real Edinburgh bands, those guys are the reason Edinburgh still has a music scene and I recommend them all very highly. 

The Swagger

Tell us a bit about the band:

The Swagger are an original 4 piece Grit-rock band from Hornsey, London UK. The band consists of two brothers Lee Stevens (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), Paul Stevens (Lead Guitar/Keys/Backing Vocals), Will O'Connell (Bass Guitar) & Gaet Allard (Drums). Originally starting off as a duo playing small London pubs/clubs as The Mad Hatters, The Swagger was born in July 2011.. Releasing 4 singles, Loaded Gun (2020), Chin Up Boy (2019) Heart 'N' Soul (2018) Want It All (2018) and having the privilege of working with producers Graham Bonnar (Swervedriver/Brian Jonestown Massacre) recording their debut EP at the famous Konk studios in North London owned by Ray Davies of The Kinks.  Also touring the West Coast of America in Sept/Oct 2019 playing shows in Las Vegas, LA, Long Beach, San Diego & Oceanside California and went down a treat gaining new fans and positive acclaim. Supporting bands such as Hurricane #1, Toploader, Space, Mark Morriss, Trampolene, Alias Kid, Slydigs plus many more and gaining positive acclaim by John Power (Cast/The La's) at their Brixton Jamm show back in 2014 and selling out London's 02 Academy Islington and headlining The Cavern Club in Liverpool UK.

We've released a brand new single/video 'Loaded Gun', which has been well received receiving rave press reviews and exposure around the globe. Filming a video about a homeless soldier who is suffering from PTSD struggling from anxiety/depression from everyday life & scars of the war who eventually gets his life back on track reuniting with his girlfriend/ daughter finishing off with a happy ending. 

What has changed for you as a band during lockdown?

Obviously we've not been playing shows due to to Covid-19 as our UK Summer Tour & South Africa October Tour 2020 has been cancelled which we are all gutted about but managed to film the music video for 'Loaded Gun' just before the lockdown. During lockdown we've been keeping busy with live online streams, interacting with our fans, released a single and now preparing to go back into the studio sometime in July/August to record new material.

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.?

Be productive keep writing, do more live streams, interact with the fans and never lose faith.

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

During the lockdown i come across an Australian indie-Britpop band called DMA's (Stone Roses vibes) which i recommend - go check out stand out tracks such as Silver, In The Air etc.