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Highly rated psychedelic stoners Red Spektor are back with a mesmerising sophomore album, Heart of the Renewed Sun, out Friday 2nd October, via Kozmik Artifactz. The fuzzy rock trio (John Scane – guitar/vocals, Rob Farrell – bass, Jonny Esp – drums) have just dropped a new video for the single, Long Way Down, and now seemed like the ideal time to get the lowdown on Red Spektor from the band themselves. And, yes Jonny, every record collection does need a bit of Rod Stewart!
What are the origins of the band, how long have you been playing together?
Rob: Late 2012 we formed Red Spektor. Then in 2020 we were a man down, Jonny ESPO saved us from our doom!
Jonny: My friend contacted the guys, me and John spoke briefly on the phone and an audition was arranged. Such a great vibe. I thankfully got invited back for a second jam and it was then that I was sworn in.
How did you feel performing your first gig? And how was it?!
Rob: Our first gig was a baptism of fire, we were meant to be supporting our friends the Black Apples. But they split the week before. So, we had to headline our first ever gig with only 5 songs. We were a bit nervous I guess, but we did alright, a load of jamming later and we managed a full hour with those 5 songs.
John: Yes, a baptism of fire indeed, and being my first gig as a singer only added to the anxiety.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe yourself?
Rob: They should expect loud, no-nonsense, powerful rock, and delivered like it used to be through valve-driven amps with real raw honesty.
John: We like to include the odd jam too, which provides more for our audience compared to just performing our recordings note-for-note.
The new music scene is bursting at the seams with fresh talent, in what ways do you feel that a band has to stand out from the others trying to build a name?
Jonny: For me, it’s not necessarily about standing out from the others. It’s about doing your own thing and ultimately enjoying it and hoping that anyone who hears it also enjoys it.
Rob: Totally agree, that and make honest music. We don’t try to be something we‘re not, but to be the best of what we are, which is 3 great friends writing and performing our songs.
John: And if people love what we love about our music, that’s what counts.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
Rob: That would be the album launch for our second album Heart of the Renewed Sun. Its been a long time coming, launching on the 2nd of October. It’s an awesome album that contains a lot of emotion of the time it was written. Our single Long Way Down is out now and people seem to like it.
Jonny: It’s a record I think fans of the first album won’t be disappointed with — same as any newcomers who stumble upon it!
John: We are also currently writing and thinking about our third record with Jonny now on board. And the sessions are sounding great.
How long was the gestation period of ‘Heart of the Renewed Sun’?
Rob: that’s a good question. It wasn’t 3 years of writing and recording for sure. Firstly, it took 6 months to get the writing mojo back, after spending a lot of time on the road. Then the struggle was getting into the studio, I guess life got in the way. But we kept going and eventually got there.
Would you say that new single ‘Long Way Down’ is indicative of what ‘Heart of the Renewed Sun’ sounds like?
Jonny: Yes, I’d say so
John: Tonally, yes.
Rob: And I guess the approach of longer breaks and light and shade is probably a common thing through the album.
In what ways has the band developed since the release of the self-titled debut album a few years back?
John: After fumbling about in the early days of not knowing what guitar or amp to use, how to put a song together, or even sing, I’m hoping I’m getting somewhere now. It’s taken a bit of time.
Rob: Definitely, and I hope musically we are still pushing our boundaries. But we still have a lot to learn about the business and recording. But the biggest development is our cool new drummer Jonny.
Jonny: With my style of drumming I’m sure it will widen the scope for avenues of ideas especially at rehearsals, it hopefully will allow us to be more experimental.
What band out there at the minute do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
Rob: That’s the beauty of our band, it could be anyone. Maybe not a teeny bopper group, we might scare the kids, but we’ve played with all genres from metalcore bands to glam rock.
John: I second that. There are a lot of different bands out there who are fantastic who we’re more than happy to open for. If they write and perform good music, it’s a buzz.
Rob: Definitely and should we get the choice I’d love us to open for bands like Graveyard, Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, Radio Moscow, Kadavar.
Who do you feel is the next band to break out?
Rob: The past 5 years have been awesome with new bands, the songs and the musicianship about is excellent. I think slowly the industry is waking up to it. My favourite bands on the scene are Psychlona and FUS if both those bands don’t break, music is dead.
Jonny: For me, it’s prob Bob Vylan and Billy No Mates
John: Psychlona for me too. Great bunch of lads and they make a great racket.
What are your first musical memories? And what was the lightbulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
John: I’m a fan of rock music first and foremost. Getting my first record player as a teenager was followed by more-or-less living in record shops which led to hanging out and going to gigs with a lot of likeminded friends. Playing music is only a recent thing for me to be honest. And I’m still pretending!
Jonny: My first musical memories were probably sitting on my Uncle’s living room floor as a small child with his vinyl collection. I bought my first guitar when I was 10, I remember seeing the Jam on TotP and the next day begging my schoolteacher ‘Mr Wilson’ to teach me the chords I needed to play.
Rob: For me, Thrash Metal was my lightbulb moment, a mate lent me a tape with Nuclear Assault and Suicidal Tendencies on it. It blew my mind; it was not long after that I bought a bass.
Who would you describe as the ultimate power-trio?
John: That is very difficult to answer. There are so many. I couldn’t say. I have a lot of affection and admiration for Taste though.
Jonny: For me, though the ultimate 3 piece would probably have to be Jimi, Noel, and Mitch – lightyears ahead of their time or Kurt, Kris, and Dave.
Rob: All cool, but I’d have to say San Francisco Shiver for being the most dynamic and connected, everything just flows effortlessly.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Rob: Green Lung at the Electric Church record shop, a gig we were meant to be playing at. But before that, it would have been Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats in Brum.
Jonny: Think it was Aldous Harding in Liverpool I find her absolutely mesmerising.
John: The Cult at the Apollo in Manchester. Johnny Marr joined them onstage too. Suffice to say it was most excellent.
The band is booked to play at HRH Psych next April, CO-VID dependent obviously, who are you looking forward to catching during the festival?
Rob: There are so many great bands playing, a lot I haven’t seen, will defo see Psychlona and Master Charger, awesome bands and great lads. Will see as many of the others as I can, I love finding new music, one of the best parts of being on the road.
Jonny: I’ve got a soft spot for Psychlona though, I certainly won’t be missing them.
John: Same here!
What current issue are you particularly passionate about?
Rob: As a band, we are still finding our voice, but we struggle with any oppression, injustice, or inequality. I mean why are a 3rd of kids in poverty? We need to rethink our priorities.
Jonny: Personally, I think about many issues, especially, politics and corrupt politicians. As a whole, 2020 so far has been like a scene from an extended version of John Carpenters ‘The Fog’ it seems to be one thing after another, and before you know it you’re in the thick of it.
Rob: I wonder if 2020 will become its own horror film?
John: And I find they all grind me down emotionally. That’s an issue in itself, that are just too many issues. There shouldn’t be any if we all had any sense.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Jonny: I’ve got 2 different label editions of Rod Stewart’s ‘Footloose and Fancy Free’ on vinyl. I grew up hearing that album in the 70’s.. every collection needs a bit of Rod? Right?
Rob: Ha, I guess so, does that mean I need to buy some? Me I think maybe The Teaches of Peaches by Peaches? Still a good album.
John: Hi Infidelity by REO Speedwagon. It’s a work of genius. Or Skyscraper by David Lee Roth. Again, genius songwriting. Hooks galore.
What are your plans for the remainder of 2020?
Jonny: Survival!!
Rob: The second album is a priority, sorry to everyone for taking so long to get it out. We’re also writing the 3rd album. Jonny joined us just before lockdown, so we’ve only just done a few weeks of practice since, but we are on our way to getting the 3rd album written. That and some sort of live stream/event.
John: Third album for sure.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
John: I look at this way: I’ve seen bands with thousands of followers play to a handful of people. I’ve seen bands with a handful of followers play to a whole lot more. Social media is important, but you can connect to your audience on other levels, is what I’m getting at I guess?
Rob: Too right and we do use it, and we respond in good time if people get in touch. The best place is the Facebook page, Instagram, or our website.
