Interview and Review: Yellowire – O2 Academy Bristol (The Feeling Support Slot) – Wednesday 30th October

Yellowire

Since forming in 2010, Yellowire have had substantial successes performing at the Isle of Wight Festival, Germany’s Rock AM Ring, Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park (supporting the Rolling Stones no less), Latitude festival, Reading and Leeds festival and have recently released their ‘Draw The Line’ EP a follow up to their 2011 debut album ‘Machine on Fire’.

At the end of October we went along to review their support slot for The Feeling at O2 Academy Bristol (see further down) and while we were there we arranged to have a chat with Yellowire frontman Ol Beach, who we affectionately call ‘Oi’, to find out a bit more about the band and what they’ve got coming up in 2014. Here’s what he had to say…

‘Draw The Line’ came out on 21st October, whilst singles have been released in that time, so why the long wait for something more substantial?

We recorded a lot of the tracks late spring summer this year and wanted to wait for a good reason to release something. When we were confirmed to play with The Feeling this autumn it seemed like that would be the right time to put out the EP.

What were your main inspirations for the new EP? 

The songs are all influenced by friends and the life we’re leading. The one specific is the feeling of changing times and what are we to do with this period.

Was it an easy record to make?

I hope so. You might need to ask our producer what he thinks.

How has it been received thus far?

People seem to like it! Which is great!!

Can you tell us who “Peter” is or what inspired the song?

Haha!! I think it’s best not to go into too much detail on that.

What is your favorite track from the EP and why?

I always like “7 hours” because it reminds me watching the sun come up in Cornwall. I’ve had great times shared with mates down there. The light of a new day makes a lot of things find there place.

Are you working on new material for a new album? And if so when do you think it may be released?

Yeah we’re always writing new stuff. The plan is to release something early 2014.

How did the tour with The Feeling come about?

We are signed to CAA and they put us forward for the tour. Luckily the guys from The Feeling agreed to take us on.

What’s been the highlight of the tour thus far? 

Shepherds Bush Empire was a great night. It’s such an iconic venue and it was packed. We had some of our friends down so it was a special night!

Were you fans of The Feeling beforehand?

They have some great tunes which everybody knows! When you hear them in a set it’s like wow I forgot you guys did that one too!!

How do you get on with them?

They are cool guys and we had a great time with them. Easy going and up for a laugh. Good whiskey drinkers..

Will you be returning to the South West for Glastonbury, or any other festivals, next summer?

Hopefully we’ll be playing down in the South West again soon! Every band wants to play festivals and we are no different. They’re what it’s all about.

Finally, if you could have written any song in the history of music what would it be and why?

I might have to come back to you on that one..


O2 Academy Bristol Review:

Walking on stage, Yellowire frontman Ol Beach has the air of an Ian Brown-esque surfer. He is soflty spoken and sensitively caresses his arms before stating that its “great to be here”.

On their third track guitarist Jim Board moves from 6-strings to keys and an 80s sounding synth which sounds Topgun before they collectively head into the danger zone that is standout track on recent EP ‘Draw the Line’– “Peter”.

After enthusing to the mixed crowd that they are “here for the same reasons” as they are, dry ice floods the stage and they slide into “Fast & Slow”. A softer song, it seems to fit them much more than the faster numbers and has the sound of Jack Johnson gone electric.

Frontliner” is next and again has a softer tone with a strong 80s feel. “Take me all the way to the front line” screams Ol, before a synth break preludes a rising middle 8.

At this point Mr Beach moves to keyboard and begins perhaps their biggest hit “Can you feel it”. With colours of Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’ and Coldplay’s “The Scientist” it has a reflective quality and is palpably their best constructed/best received song of the night.

It’s a surprisingly short set considering Yellowire are the only support but they finish with a flurry on former album title track “Machines on Fire” which sees the first hand claps of  the night.

Check Yellowire out at www.yellowire.co.uk

Review and interview by Kevin McGough

While you’re here… The Fix is delighted to support independent film and to be involved with comedy/drama series The Awkward Conversations We Have.  Here’s the opener, titled, Son We’re Swingers: