vanmccstan - Tumblr blog

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HIS LITTLE RUN OUT TO THE STAGE 🥺

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this .. this is IT ..

Close your eyes & imagine coming home to Van after a long day of work. (Use headphones for a better experience)

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**HEADPHONES ARE REQUIRED**

Dedicated for my pal, sympatheticmccann  Here’s to you, from me.

ASA, originally performed by Catfish And The Bottlemen. Source: (x)

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thinkin bout x

“she lights a cigarette in my face and says lets get good lost for the while cause I can’t stand the people around here”

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Van McCann performing @ Falls Festival in Lorne | 31st December, 2018

Photo: ©Sam Dougherty

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Anna, NYC - 6/21 (via hourlyharry)

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Catfish and the Bottlemen performing at Falls Festival in Byron Bay 1.1.19

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i really fucking love harry styles

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merry christmas from mr bond 🎄

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I will always reblog this

i just want to know how you feel about us.

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I love one man..

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INTERVIEW - Elijah Miller

At the beginning of the year, I stumbled upon twenty year old singer/song writer, Elijah Miller, our first interaction involved a Catfish and the Bottlemen mosh pit and a lost phone.

Ever since then, his music has completely enthralled me.

Elijah released his debut album, The Garden (and other short stories), just over a year ago and it is a 50 minute, fourteen track album. Lyrically, it is packed with his raw and profound takes on love, heartbreak and jealously. It is full of soulful guitar solos, that somewhat bares resemblance to the work of Isaac Gracie, which eventually builds into bigger and somewhat heavier choruses.

Since then, Elijah has released another single called Paris, which is considerably more upbeat than tracks on The Garden. The contrasts in mood between these tracks are incredibly well handled, showing the range of Miller’s talent. Paris is a catchy song, with a snappy hook and a memorable chorus. The lyrics flow at a perfect pace, with lines such as ’my pride and your habit to lie foreshadowed our demise’ and ‘now its been two years since we haven’t spoken, and if you care I’m still trying to quit smoking’

Below, see Elijah Miller.

I had some questions for Elijah Miller and these were his answers - we spoke about his new music he’s currently working on, naming instruments and his sun-dried tomato and basil loaves (which is apparently out of this world).

It’s been just over a year since you released your debut album, The Garden. How did you find the process of making that?

Making the Garden was a weird process, I did everything in my room over about two months. Half of the tracks were already written but I re-recorded a few of them.

I always work to a deadline so was quite stressful and I was moving to London at the same time. I think I blocked out the recording and mixing memories because of all the stress.

Fast forwards five years from now, where can you see yourself? Do you think you’ll still be making music?

Five years from now I imagine that stylistically I will have changed a fair bit. My style has definitely taken a turn since the album to a more upbeat vibe so who knows.

Maybe I’ll be doing yodelling by then…

Do you name your instruments?

I don’t actually get much of a chance to get attached to my instruments because most of them are around for a few months and then move on (my dad runs a vintage guitar and amp store… Shout out Miller and Sons Vintage) but I have my own back line of acoustic and electric guitars. My acoustic doesn’t even deserve a name based on how much he loves snapping the G string after a few days of use…

Who are your main musical influences?

My big influences at the minute are MGMT, Kings of Leon, Band of Horses, Little Comets, IDLES and Vampire Weekend.

Which song of yours is your favourite to perform?

At the minute, probably Paris. It’s just nice to have a bit of a boogie with the crowd rather than stand and awkwardly watch people cry.

What are the main themes/topics for most of your songs? Do you think these will change over time?

Heartbreak is always going to be a big one because it never really leaves after you’ve been royally fucked over by someone. Jealousy is a really really big thing for me, but it’s something I work on by writing about it and then realising I’m not alone when people connect with it.

Are you working on anything right now?

I’m working on a lot of things right now. I have about 6 or so new tracks that are slowly going to work their way into live sets. It’s my favourite work I’ve done by far.

Do you come from a musical background?

Yeah - so I grew up with my dad being the leader of worship at a church, I would see him performing most Sundays and he taught me how to play guitar. My siblings also do music, my brother Coby is in my band and my sister Molly is an insane singer… My two younger brothers play too. Wesley’s 15 and can play guitar 5 times better than me!

What new/present music do you like?

So, there’s this punk band called IDLES I’ve been listening to for a few years. Their second album just charted number four or five… They’re definitely worth checking out

Do you have a hobby that isn’t music?

To be honest, everything I’ve been doing for the past 6 months has been music, although I’ve got really into baking bread… My sun-dried tomato and basil loaf is out of this world.

You can catch Elijah at the end of the year playing in and around Bedford (dates yet to be confirmed) and you can listen to his album on all streaming platforms.

Watch the music video for his single, Paris, below.

https://youtu.be/FQDv7ehnWNk

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INTERVIEW - Billy Bibby and the Wry Smiles

Billy Bibby and the Wry Smiles are a four piece alternative rock band formed in Wales/Cheshire, after guitarist Billy Bibby left Catfish and the Bottlemen in late 2015. He decided to reinvent himself with a new band, and a completely different sound and Billy Bibby and The Wry Smiles evolved.

This involved swapping out his powerful and gritty guitar riffs from The Balcony for more light-hearted tunes, such as ‘Don’t Fall’ and This Kind Of Summer’ on their debut EP, Bide Your Time.  

I asked Billy some questions about the ultimate direction of his band, being a TV chef and hidden meanings in his music - these were his answers.

So far, the band have released six singles and an EP, which are all available for streaming on Spotify and Apple Music. They’ve also played an impressive number of gigs and festivals up and down the country, including Tramlines in Sheffield, Victorious Festival and Kendal Calling.

Are there hidden meanings in any of your music?

Yes there are. I don’t want to delve too deeply into what they all mean because there’s no mystery behind them. However, some lyrics in there involve my experiences of life whilst in Catfish and post Catfish.

If you could have your top five of musical influences (dead or alive) for dinner, who would they be and why?

Elvis Presley, I was brought up on his music by my parents. He is my number one go to Spotify artist when I want to listen to something I know inside out. Highly suspect, a band from Cape Cod USA. I love their music and Johnny the singer is a unique individual so I’d like them. Liam Gallagher purely to entertain us all whilst we eat, he’s a hero. John Lennon but I don’t need to explain that one. The last one would have to be a toss up between Alex Turner, Richard Ashcroft, Dave Grohl, Abba, Kurt Cobain and Kelly Jones.

Can you describe each member of your band in ten or less words?

Matt (bass) - So solid crew. Always leaves the light on.

Tom (lead guitar) - Spanish Zak Mooneyham from school of rock. Face melted.

Alan (drums) - Metronome tempos without the metronome. Colin Farrell look a like.

How could you describe your music?

With the Band, I’d say it’s simply Rock or Alternative Rock. People would say indie but I hate that phrase.

How did everyone in your band meet?

In 1985 by way of a Facebook Post calling out all musicians wanting to be in a Godlike rock band.

Which of your songs do you play the most frequently?

A song Called Don’t Fall. Thats always in the set. Except when we forgot to play it once. All but once since the start of the dinosaurs.

What is your ultimate direction for the band?

There’s only one direction, and that’s to be as big as One Direction. In all seriousness though,  just being a big arena headline band and topping festival bills one day.

If you weren’t involved in music, what would you be doing right now?

I’d be a TV chef making Jamie Oliver Bankrupt.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Don’t do it! No, simply just fuckin’ enjoy it. Enjoy the ride with your band or on your own and don’t forget why you started in the first place.

A lot of bands forget who they are and forget why. Being in a band is a business but part of that business is about being happy and being true to who you are.

Finally, do you have regrets about leaving Catfish and the Bottlemen?

None at all. I wish them all the best and will still follow what they do but once the boat has sailed you jump on another one and don’t look back.

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willne is a complete and utter softie and must be protected at all costs reblog if you agree

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when ‘Kathleen’ comes on

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How many brain cells have you lost since joining Tumblr

Bold of you to assume I had any to begin with