Birdy has just released «Portraits», her fifth studio album. It opens a new chapter for the singer. The changes are visible when looking at the artwork and music videos, but also musically Birdy ventures into new waters. The result is a wonderful album that never wears out even after listening to it over and over. An interview had already been planned when she visited Zurich back in April 2023. Due to illness (not Birdy’s), however, it unfortunately did not come to the personal meeting. But the time has come to catch up on overdue conversation via Zoom.
Interview with Sam Ryder: I changed my nervousness to excitement
Sam Ryder has played on bigger stages than many musicians that are way longer in the game than him. This is despite the fact that he hasn’t even put out a single studio album, yet. Participating in the Eurovision Song Contest with his song «Space Man» has opened some big doors for the Englishman, and he’s gone through each one with an infectious energy. Now, his debut album «There’s Nothing But Space, Man!» is about to be released. Ahead of his first show ever in Zurich, the singer explains how he manages the balancing act between Wembley Stadium and clubs and how his experience as a wedding musician has helped him in his further career.
Interview with Ed and Russell from Editors: Communication is key
Editors are an extremely hardworking live band when they are not slowed down by a pandemic. In the meantime, they have grown to six members and, with the new addition Benjamin John Power aka Blanck Mass, have released their most electronic album to date called «EBM». Why there is nevertheless a rock soul behind it and what life in the band feels like, Editors veterans Ed Lay and Russell Leetch told in the interview before their show at Volkshaus Zürich.
Interview with Declan McKenna: What carries greatness most of the time is simplicity.
Declan McKenna has already released his second album «Zeros» in September 2020, but only now has he brought it live on stage in Switzerland. At the beginning of the week, the exceptional talent was back at the Plaza Zurich for his first concert since the support tour for Blossoms in 2017. More than enough reasons for an interview with one of the great hopefuls of English indie.
Interview with Jack and Jimmy from Foals: The new album was a beacon of hope
The new Foals album «Life Is Yours» was written at a time when life didn’t seem to belong to ourselves. Despite this, or rather precisely because of it, the trio from Oxford have made it their happiest and most uplifting work to date. In the interview which took place just before their concert in Zurich at the end of May, guitarist Jimmy Smith and drummer Jack Bevan talked about how the collaboration with different producers worked for them and in which soundtrack they would like to be featured with a Foals song.
Interview with Nothing But Thieves singer Conor Mason: It’s a shock to be back on tour
Finally Nothing But Thieves can go on tour again. With their third album «Moral Panic», they are playing bigger venues than ever before. Singer Conor Mason reveals in the interview how the band works, how he used the two-year forced break and how it feels to suddenly hit the accelerator again. In addition, a flashback makes him laugh big time, namely when it comes to the similarities between the latest single «It’s Coming In Slow», their first hit «Trip Switch» and their use in the soundtrack to a video game.
Interview with Royal Blood drummer Ben Thatcher: Typhoons just makes me want to bop my head
Today sees the release of «Typhoons», the third studio album from Brighton duo Royal Blood. With their explosive mix of bass and drums, Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher have been causing a stir in the rock circus since their self-titled debut in 2014. Now, for the first time, the two musicians have broken up their tried-and-true formula and allowed new influences to take hold. To be capable of this big step, singer Mike Kerr in particular had to make some changes in his life. Drummer Ben Thatcher talked about live energy, his various tasks on stage and the process of creating the new record. One thing already seems clear: Royal Blood will maintain their place in the rock Olympus also with «Typhoons».
Interview with Aiko: The dance goes hand in hand with music.
Aiko has found her musical style in dark pop. Coming from the Czech Republic, the artist moved to London to get to know the scene there and to study music. She just released the single «Power» and is currently working on a new song with Steven Ansell, the drummer of Brighton’s indie duo Blood Red Shoes as a producer. In this article, the singer introduces herself and her musical journey so far.
Interview with Patrick Droney: There’s a world behind me to get to the beginning.
Patrick Droney’s musical career sounds almost contrived to outsiders. He won the Robert Johnson Award as a guitarist at the age of 12 and has already performed on stage with greats such as B.B. King and James Brown. Now the musician has been living in the country capital Nashville for five years and will release his first album on the major label Warner Music in May. In the interview, he talks about his stations in life, the importance of music and his roots.
Single tip: Aiko – Power
Aiko unites the most diverse cultures. The singer was born in Moscow, grew up in the Czech Republic and now lives in London. The musician released her debut album «Expiration Date» in 2020. Now the singer is following up with the single «Power». The dark pop track is accompanied by an artistic music video in which strong women take on the leading roles. It impresses both artistically and visually.