Goldtrip Interview

This week we managed to speak to the funny and focused Alex from Goldtrip.

Goldtrip you may know already from seeing them support Bon Jovi, their song 'Burn to Fade' on a HTC TV ad or from a Chinese NME Top ten bands CD and all that from an unsigned band not bad hey?

I have read you all play many instruments? Who plays what for people who don't know?

Dom is the singer and keyboard player, but he’s also proficient on the guitar. When we first started, Dom wrote and played many of our songs on the acoustic, but it’s not something we do so much anymore. Joe is our lead guitarist, but he’s known to bust out a ukulele every now and then. Sam is the bass player, but he’s an absolute wizard with a laptop, and all of our new tracks have been produced by him! I’m the drummer but I have played bass for many years too, and when I was younger I was a keen violinist, and trumpeter. I’d like to say we could all sing too, and as well as Dom, but it’s sadly just not true.

How did the band start? What brought you guys together? 

Dom and Joe were at school together, and used to be in a band, but I met them about 3 and half years ago. Dom and I were in halls together at Bristol University, and we bumped into each other at party (not physically, of course). I can’t quite remember what music we all bonded over initially, but it was probably Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon. We found Sam at a music pub quiz in Bristol, about a year ago. With his quiff and shiny jacket, he was an easy spot!

The first song I heard from you guys was 'Lion's Den' and instantly loved it. You produced it yourself is that right? Is producing something you like to do so you get it to sound like you want it to? 

Lion’s Den, and Time Is All We Have, are our two most recent singles, and have both been produced only by the four of us. Producing tracks ourselves has helped to craft the songs more, and I think we all extremely fulfilled when the song is released, and the feedback starts to come in. I’m pleased with the results, and hopefully we can keep releasing new tracks regularly.

When I first came across 'Lion's Den' I thought it was brilliantly catchy, I then looked for some more songs and I found 'I Try'. 'I Try' has a very different feel to 'Lion's Den' will your style keep changing or have you decided which way your music is going? 

I Try is actually a much older track, recorded about 18 months ago. It made it on to BBC Radio 2, and BBC Radio 6, several times. But, that track was less danceable, upbeat, and uplifting than the newer tracks. So, I think we are all happy with how much the sound has developed. Lion’s Den is very instant, and it’s a real crowd pleaser at gigs. I think our newer tracks will be more in that vein. 

Will you be playing many festivals and gigs this year? 

We are always playing gigs, mainly in London and Bristol. But, we are currently in the third round of a large competition, called ‘Live and Unsigned.’ If we get through we will get some big festival slots, so fingers crossed! The next round is in mid-May, so if anyone wants to come and support us in London, we would be eternally grateful. Dom might even buy you an ice cream.

Starting in clubs around Bristol such as Thekla how did you end up supporting Bon Jovi? Did you get to chat to them? 

The Bon Jovi gig was won through another competition. I think we were all extremely surprised when we won. We had to play a few songs in front of a panel of judges, a bit like ‘Live and Unsigned.’ I think it was more nerve racking than the actual gig with Bon Jovi! That was an amazing experience, but sadly we didn’t get to chat much. There was a small army of security guys who didn’t take too warmly to us. Although, I think Joe nipped into Bon Jovi’s, when they weren’t there. So that’s something I guess. I do remember being overawed by the sheer professionalism of the whole Bon Jovi operation, from the slickness of the backstage organisation, to the energy on stage.

Managing to get in the Chinese NME top 10 must of been a surprise? How did that come about? 

Yet another random string to our bow! I’m not entirely sure, but I know we made it on to their CD. So, perhaps we have a legion of Chinese fans we don’t know about…if so, I would be up for a tour in China!

What shall we expect from Goldtrip in future? An album maybe? 

Expect more singles, more gigs, and hopefully an album. Come and see us play sometime if you can. Our gigs are listed on www.goldtrip.co.uk. If we win this competition (please, please,
pretty please), then who knows what you can expect!

I am always interested where bands get there name from, why Goldtrip? 

Apparently, on urbandictionary.com, a ‘goldtrip’ is a power trip. So, I think we liked that connection. The words didn’t define the sound too much, but were quite bold and simple. However, I also recall a lot of vague throwing around of words desperately before our first gig. The posters were going to the printers, and we had the songs but not the name! So, we had a little brainstorm together. You really wouldn’t want to hear what the alternatives were. Something’s are best confined to the scrapheap!

Thanks for you time guys, I hope to hear a lot more from you guys. 

Thank you for your time, and we hope to see you all at a gig soon.

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