MORE ABOUT THE BAND: Sheffield

2016

BAND INTERVIEW: BEANS ON TOAST WITH JAY MCALLISTER

Music and politics have gone hand in hand for years, with artists such as The Clash and Billy Bragg using political and controversial lyrics to attack the establishment since the 70s – but it didn’t end there. Today, young artists are becoming more and more politically aware, and are using music as a platform to inspire the future generations. Among those artists is Beans on Toast, fronted by Jay McAllister, who confirmed that the band name fits well because “it’s cheap, easy and English, and who doesn’t like Beans on Toast, eh?”

Currently hitting up the states on tour with his new album A Spanner in the Works (available from December 1^st), I managed to have a quick chat with Jay in-between his time gigging, pre gig ritual drinking and exploring New York City. When I asked him how things were going, he replied “Great! I’m currently in the US for 5 weeks, touring and drinking, and spending my time talking about Donald Trump with like-minded people in veggie cafe's” which then lead on to ask why he titled his new album ‘A Spanner in the Works’, and in his own words “it is referring to the phase – fucking things up”; which inevitably means it’s time for change. Noticed for being an openly topical lyricist who sings about politics, war, drugs and love, I wondered whether the front man realises that his music has a substantial impact on his audience, however the folk music singer told me “I take it with a pinch of salt, but I do believe in 99% of my songs”, he goes on “ It is extremely important to talk about movements, thoughts and feelings that are happening at the time, it’s just a simple way to change quit a lot”, and this definitely doesn’t go unnoticed in his new album.

Singing about current affairs, one track really stood out – ‘The Drum Kit’ – where we are introduced to the issues facing the music venue industry. Intrigued, I asked Jay what his thoughts where about this, in which he replied “I used to work in a music venue, I know what it is like, noise licenses can be tough, but I don’t think music will go anywhere.” Obviously an issue very close to his heart, the Beans on Toast singer goes on to speak of how “the pressure should be on how we can open new music spaces, as well as clinging onto the old ones because that is just as important”, and he’s not wrong!

I asked Jay where his love for music came from, and what inspires him the most, in which he replied “my parents are my inspiration. They’re music lovers, my dad’s into country music and my mum is huge Beatles fan, but my influence to write comes through my thought and feelings and life itself.”

Beans on Toast - 2016

With his UK tour coming up, Jay told us “I’m looking forward to get going, I love touring”. Playing at Sheffield’s most iconic venue TheLeadmill on November 24^th, the band are “extremely excited to get back to Sheffield after a long stint away”, noting “ we don’t underestimate the power of playing a gig, so we will be mixing up the line up with new and old tracks for everyone”.

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2016

GIG REVIEW: YOU ME AT SIX // O2 ACADEMY // SHEFFIELD // OCTOBER 20TH

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70's

SHEFFIELD'S BEST: VINYL STORES

Since the influx of artists dominating the scene in the late 70’s, Sheffield has rapidly built up its reputation as one of the UK’s leading music cities, where you can still find paramount record stores tucked away across the city. Opening its doors in 1978, Record Collector, found on Fulwood Road, serves Sheffield’s record enthusiasts rare and hard to find vinyl and CD's and have recently started to stock new releases in light of the vinyl revival. This is Sheffield’s most popular institution for new and old music, and has been described by one punter as ‘the Aladdin’s cave of record shops’ and who would disagree? This store holds enough treasure to treat us all. But if it’s the finest new releases or reissues you are after, look no further than Bear Tree, located in Orchard Square. The new alternative to HMV, dig your way through their carefully selected range of popular and underground artists; you may even be surprised to find some quality second hand records among the array. Or if you simply just fancy a quick break from studying, located on Arundel Street; you can find LP Record Store. With records flying out of the window – literally; this store offers a mixed bag of new, old and reissued vinyl across all genres of music. Buying and selling vinyl, this store is music heaven; and the perfect justification to spend your student loan.

I understand that there are a lot of newbies to the vinyl scene, and in some instances the 70’s backdrop and jumble style-esque layout can be quite daunting; especially if you are not too sure what you are looking for. But fear not as Sheffield caters for all with exciting new record stores popping up independently around the city. It is obvious that the urban, industrial concept is becoming more and more popular, and this is does not go unmissed at Tonearm Vinyl, located in Walkley. Here, you can really relax as you delve into the music they provide, mainly due to their passion for constructing a unique appearance that generates quality and value for money. And, if you really want to chill out, Spinning Discs is the place for you. Aiming to truly value their customers, Spinning Discs is established as a meeting place where you can spend time with friends, drink coffee and browse a variety of new, reissued and second hand vinyl all in a friendly community environment; so if you’re a music and coffee lover what more could you want?

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Album

BAND INTERVIEW: EDEN HAZE

I caught up with up-and-coming Sheffield band Eden Haze for a cuppa and a chat before taking me on a sunny stroll around Kelham Island.

First of all, can you introduce yourself to the Exposed readership with an interesting fact about each member?
Jenny: This is pretty difficult! Oh, actually, I once sang on a While She Sleeps track, which was pretty cool.
Max: I don’t normally share this with anyone but my middle name is Tutan, named after Tutankhamen.
Josh: [Laughs] I don’t think anyone will beat that. Erm, I broke my foot tripping up on a step in Malia.

Perfect. So, tell us about how you started off as Eden Haze?
Jenny: I originally started the band as a solo project a few years back, but I was really missing that band sound. I think it’s always easier when you can bounce of other musicians; you get more input because everyone brings different influences to the table. That’s why I brought these guys in.
Max: Yeah, the timing was perfect. I was looking for a band at the time and Eden Haze were looking for a bass guitarist.

You’ve had some big gigs recently, not to mention a support slot for Lonely The Brave, and you still have plenty more shows lined up. Things really seem to be taking off.
Max: Yeah, we are buzzing. To get on the support bill for Lonely the Brave is insane.
Jenny: I’m really looking forward to getting the band out of Sheffield. We’re going to be touring all over the UK – we’re even playing at Cleethorpes in December!
Josh: And not forgetting our Halloween Takeover at Plug. We love Halloween so that should be pretty special night.

Eden Haze started out as ‘ambient rock’. How would you describe your sound today?

Jenny: We are far from ambient rock now.
Josh: Yeah, I’d probably brand us as alternative, but even then I don’t think that does us justice.
Jenny: It’s a difficult one because we don’t really have a specific genre, but that’s a good thing in that we can get away with playing with heavier bands but we also fit in well alongside indie bands at shows.

Who are your musical influences?
Max: I think we’re all a bit different, which is obviously a good thing. My background is very much rooted in very heavy music. But currently I’d say the 1975.
Jenny: Heavy?
Max: Well, they’re my less heavy influence then. When it comes to writing music for Eden Haze, there’s definitely a big Wolf Alice vibe.
Jenny: If you’re talking favourite bands, mine’s Brand New. They’re incredible.
Josh: When it comes to writing the heavier stuff, I tend to look at bands like Basement, Citizen and Superheaven for inspiration.

And you recently signed to the Northern Crossroads management label, so you’ve now got that platform to really kick on.
Jenny: Definitely. It’s really helpful because it takes a lot of the time-consuming worries – trying to get gigs, booking tours, etc. – from your mind and allows you to just focus solely on the music. So, yeah, it’s a really positive thing for a young band to have that support.

So what can we expect from you guys in the near-future?
Max: We just want to keep writing but hopefully we will bring an album out fairly soon.

Ooh, exciting! More details please?
Jenny: Yeah, nothing’s set in stone yet. We want it to be perfect, so whether it’s a six-track EP or a twelve-track album will all depend on how we feel about the music we are producing. We’re just going to start writing and see where it takes us, I think.
Josh: Saying that though, we are definitely a lot more comfortable with what we are writing now so we are building up a nice catalogue of tracks. Watch this space.

Catch Eden Haze at Plug on October 28th. Tickets are £6, see www.the-plug.com for more.

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2014

ARTIC MONKEYS: IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS - REMEMBERING THE BRIT AWARDS

Being from Sheffield, I always remember this moment as being such an iconic speech that blasted the Arctic Monkeys into a whirlwind on social media. Sending the world into wild debates and opinionated social media battles nobody could get their heads around Turners witty and unusual way with words.

Upon collecting their prestigious award for 'Best Album' at the 2014 Brit Awards, the Arctic Monkey's saw their charming, rock n roll front man take center stage once again to provide the nation with his beliefs behind the album, stating that 'rock n roll will never die'. The speech complimented his quirky hair style, 50's rock fashion sense and mysterious yet absolutely god damn gorgeous personality which subsequently saw most of the population take to Facebook and twitter naming Alex a 'living legend' and describing his actions to be literally the most rock n roll thing they have ever seen. However, not all watchers that tuned in to witness Alex's speech thought he stole the night. Critics turned on him accusing him of being 'pretentious', a 'tool' and an overall embarrassment but do you really think those harsh words would ever stop Turner?

My guess is no. His talk of sludge and a 'cynical nature of the universe' may come across as arrogant but he is setting an image for himself (and it worked). Alex no longer wants to be known for his indie, long fringed, 17 year old self when he first took to the scene, it has been 10 years and with the last album edging on electronic rock n roll his image has become somewhat, well, amazing! His 50's look and Elvis/Richard Hawley like hair style is what every girl wants in a guy and what every guy wants to be.

The Brits aren't about great music, they're are about popular music, which is why we have to put up with the likes of Bastille, Ellie Goulding, Disclousure etc. So, is receiving a Brit award the most un-rock-and-roll achievement out there? Who knows? I think Alex Turner certainly thinks so.

Turner eventually defended his controversial speech by saying:

'Wonderful as it is to be acknowledged, I don't necessarily think the talent, or how good a group of musicians is, is directly shown by their trophy cabinet. That's not meant as a downer - it's a pleasure to be mentioned alongside great people.'

ROCK AND FUCKING ROLL INDEED MR.TURNER