Radar is the music event that insures to showcase the best unsigned acts and newly-signed talent from across the UK, and it made it’s welcome return to London’s Under the Bridge, earlier this month. The event was a collaboration between Music Week, ILUVLIVE and MusicConnex and this month’s line up saw a wide variety of diverse artists and bands gracing the stage, including Ghetts, The Lottery Winners, Rascals, Joel Baker and Ayanna Witter-Johnson.
I caught up with some of the artists that are performing at the event to talk about their music, their anticipation for the night and what 2014 holds for them, plus much, much more. This segment features an exclusive interview with Salford’s The Lottery Winners. Check back soon for my interview with Joel Baker, but for the time being let me introduce you to indie pop darlings, The Lottery Winners.
The Lottery Winners are a band that will undoubtedly leave you smiling from ear to ear every time you listen to their music, with their infectious upbeat indie pop it’s never a dull day. I caught up with the band’s frontman, Thomas Rylance, to discuss what’s next for the band, their current tour and the radar music event.
With it being an industry showcase, knowing that the organisers of the event have tipped you as one’s to watch, is there any added pressure to live up to that title and performing at an event like this? Also, knowing that there might be influential industry types in the audience watching and expecting to be overwhelmingly impressed, surely that must bring some added pressure, it’s not just like playing another gig?
I think every time we venture south it seems like there’s a little bit of pressure. I don’t know what it is about the place, really. It just feels like that’s the home of music in England, and we’re knocking on the door trying to sell our cookies.
But this event is particular is scary, yeah. I’ve seen our guest list and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.
How was it when you got the call that you’re one of the lucky ones to be asked to play the Radar event?
It was lovely to know that somebody thinks we’re good enough to play an event like this. The venue is stunning too, so we were really excited by it.
What are your thoughts on the other artists that are playing on the night also? Have you heard any of their music?
Obviously, the first thing I did is listen to everyone else. I think it was such a diverse selection of artists, all of whom are brilliant. I think it would have been a little off-putting if there was another Indie Jangle Pop outfit, like competition, or whatever, but we certainly found comfort in knowing that we were pretty unique, in terms of the billing.
What can people be expecting to hear from your set?
The same old Lottery Winners gig, really! A selection of indie-pop flops. We would never change what we do to suit an event.
What’s one thing that people reading this should know about you that they might not know already?
I think we’re pretty open about everything, to be honest! Erm, maybe that Joe is secretly a massive Hollyoaks fan?
What’s the one song that sums up what you do, the best, that people should listen to if they are new to your music?
I think I’m most proud of Elizabeth, really. That sums up our 2013. Listen to that.
Can we go a little deeper into the back story of The Lottery Winners, do you remember the first time you played together, what was that like and what did you play? When was the moment you realised that ‘yeah, this could work well actually’?
The first time we played together as a band, was probably Kate’s audition. We went to a jam night and played some covers. I think we did Stand and Deliver by Adam and the Ants. I knew before then that it was going to work, though. I’ve always had a really good feeling about this band.
I remember our first rehearsal though, I think I stormed out of it!
Your currently in the middle of your World Tour of Lancashire, it’s a great thing that you’re doing, showing some local love and playing gigs in places that wouldn’t necessarily get bands playing there normally. So I have to applaud you on that, has there been anywhere that’s stood out in particularly yet and which town are you most looking forward to playing?
Every gig has been wonderful so far, and I’m sure the others will be too. We love Lancashire, and we love playing music, so it seemed the obvious thing to do! We’ll play anywhere that will have us, in truth.
What’s next for The Lottery Winners in 2014?
Festivals! We’re looking forward to those. But also more recording and more writing. The usual, really.
Is there anything that you’d like to add? Anything you’d like to say to your fans?
You’re all lovely and we love you and appreciate you more than you could ever comprehend.
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I want to say a special thank you to The Lottery Winners for this interview and for more info on the band, check out the following links below.
