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Newquay-based Alt-synth rock trio 50 Year Storm are set to release their rather lovely new single ‘Autumn Song’ on November 18th and Emma Limn (drums) was on hand to talk us through the origins of the band, as well as talking about some of her own musical memories. Connect with Emma – and 50 Year Storm – below.
What are the origins of 50 Year Storm, and how long have you been playing together?
We formed in the Autumn of 2016, coming together with the joint vision to create ‘riffs and dreams’. The name is from the iconic surf film Point Break – a nice little nod to our home-surf-town of Newquay. I might add that none of us are budding surfers haha!
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe 50 Year Storm?
Alt-synth rock is what we call ourselves. A huge expansive sound with interesting and captivating lyrics. Layers of strings orchestrated over heavy guitars, thundering tribal-like drums, and vocals that soar.
In what ways do you feel that the band has grown since its conception?
Apart from wearing way more psychedelic colourful clothing lately and moving away from the all-black and leather-wearing standard “rock band” attire that most bands feel the need to wear, we’ve also got a lot more confidence experimenting with punchier synthesisers and guitars with attitude. We have a heavier and all-round truer sound now. I feel we are being more ‘us’.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
It was on the BBC Introducing stage at The Little Orchard Cider Festival in Cornwall to quite a big crowd. It was both terrifying and thrilling at the same time, but being on a big stage with a huge PA system set us up for our band’s future. We loved it, fans loved it. Playing bigger stages suits our sound and performance, yet saying that, a sweaty small venue is also good fun when the crowd is up in your face 😀
What are the advantages of playing as a three-piece, and are there any disadvantages?
We have sometimes wondered about adding more members to the storm team, mainly since it’s been commented on in the past that we don’t have a bassist or we don’t “look like a rock band” on stage when we play live. People see the synths and think it’s a keyboard for example. People soon realise to listen with their ears than judge us on looks.
We work so well as a three-piece and all build these monstrous tunes together – from writing the lyrics to laying out the riffs. It’s a joint effort that’s effortless really. We are also best friends and spend a lot of time together outside of band work which helps unite us as a stronger entity immensely.
New track ‘Autumn Song’ is released on Friday 18th November, have you had the song brewing for a while? And what are the lyrical themes featured on it?
It’s actually our newest tune that we haven’t really gigged and played that many times. We have a couple of other tracks due for release next year that are older, but we felt the title and theme of ‘Autumn Song’ suited the season. This poem-turned-song celebrates the coming of the old-world celebrations of the year – Mabon, Samhain through to Yule, held between Sept and Dec. It is the season that has most inspired the band through childhood and led to the creation of this expansive rock anthem.
Regarding lyrics, we think way beyond the run-of-the-mill “woah’s and yeah’s – we love rock ‘n’ roll” blah blah blah lyrics. We actually cannot stand that kind of rock and find it pretty embarrassing people still to this day produce that kind of trollop. Our lyrics can be about anything from the French revolution to Japanese forests. Haha, how crazy do we sound?! But no, you won’t ever, EVER hear us mention ‘rock’ in any of our songs. Thank goodness!
In terms of a similar audience, which band out there at the minute do you feel 50 Year Storm would be best suited to open for?
We’d say Biffy Clyro – for people that like music that thinks outside the box. Powerful, ever-evolving, creative anthems with layers of interest and heart-crushing lyrics. Again a trio that work so so well together, that are on a creative journey together much like us.
Biffy Clyro: old Biffy, or new Biffy?
Both! We’ve loved seeing them change and their music evolve. Never standing still. We love them for that! Never get stuck in a rut, and don’t get pigeon-holed. That’s our motto.
The new music scene is bursting at the seams at the minute with fresh talent, in what ways do you feel that a band has to stand out to build a name for themselves?
In that respect, we are old school. You have to earn your stripes to grow as a band. We played relentlessly in the first 4 years, playing bars, clubs, and festivals all over the country and even Europe. It’s how we bonded and it’s how we grew our fanbase. You can do it all online, sure, but playing live and hearing live music is everything and I hope and pray that never changes.
It’s crazy how many bands we’ve gigged with that were so nervous playing live, and this was down to them being so inexperienced. Yet they turn up with boxes of merch, sponsored kits, and printed amps, and have all their social platforms set up, filled with pro-band shots. They look like the real deal yet haven’t worked for it. Hence why they are being sick backstage before playing. I think social media makes people think and look to the public like you’re a legitimate brand before you’ve done any leg work. A bit like buying ‘likes’ and ‘follows’ to look bigger and better. People see through that nowadays. Anyway, rant over… I’m showing my age! 😀
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
Moriaty from Devon. 100% hands down the best thing to come out of the South-West and on the edge of breaking through. They deserve to make it and people deserve to discover them. If you haven’t heard of them (whaaaaaat?!) be sure to check them out! https://open.spotify.com/artist/1suWkObAr3evAerYaYdppv?si=kmr2qMonTd6ApERs_-BELg
What are your own first musical memories? And what was the lightbulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
It was when I was 5 and got to play some Apache drums once for a school play. You can hear it in my style and technique now – thunderous, pounding, sometimes terrifying. The boys say it’s the heartbeat of the band.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Collectively as a band we watched Moriaty. We’ve seen them many times live, but they always give so much to each performance. Being in the crowd, it gets nice and sweaty, and that’s how we like it. They create the beefiest tunes that get everyone moving and they are beautiful people inside and out too.
What current social issues are you particularly passionate about?
The use of psilocybin to treat depression and other mental illnesses. It’s being trialled at the moment and results are showing that for some people, just one dose/trip is all that is needed. I think people have had enough of money-making pharmaceutical companies, ruled by an untrusting government, controlling the masses. People are willing to try something else when the ‘drugs don’t work, they just make you worse’ – looking to nature as a new guide now.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Andy (guitar) – Billy Strings, Renewal
Damon (vocals/synth) – Florida Georgia Line, Here’s To The Good Times
Emma – Warduna, Runaljod – Yggdrasil
What would be your album of 2022?
Is it weird to say I rarely listen to albums anymore? I think discovering music on streaming platforms, I generally listen to singles or snippets of albums. So for me, new music to come out of 2022 that has whet my whistle has been ‘All Is Well’ by Avi Kaplan, ‘Won’t Stand Down’ from Muse, and a cover of ‘Hitchin’ a Ride’ by Amythyst Kiah. Eclectic right?
As a band, what has been your highlight of 2022?
Playing some mighty big stages – finishing our set at Alstock, hearing the crowd roar, and looking at each other smiling. And Damon having the crowd in the palm of his hand at this year’s Little Orchard Cider Festival, whilst they shouted our lyrics back to us. Such good uplifting times!
What does 2023 hold for 50 Year Storm?
Expect more single releases to rip your head off and make you question everything in your life haha. Another stunning music video or two, and plenty more explosive live performances on some pretty big stages!
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
We are all over most social and streaming platforms like an inconvenient rash. I think the only one we haven’t succumbed to is TikTok. Sighs… thank god 😀
Pre-save ‘Autumn Song’ here.
Emma photo credit – Anna Hatfield
