The Waits

Spotlight by Severine, We7 PR Guru

If you like Rock with a twist, check out The Waits. Their first EP, Shadow Walking, is the ultimate aural experience, fusing Rock music with Classical in the tradition of Sky and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. These are accessible, catchy, pop, rock anthems - tailor made by 6 modern troubadours for the music festival generation.

The interview

Hi guys how are you?

Will: Well I feel fantastic after finally doing our first gig. The secret is out!
Pete: I'm good ta.
Charles: All good, thanks.
Nick: Fine.
Sam: Very well.

What is the story behind the Waits? How did you meet?

Will: Well last year I started writing songs on my own with a vision of a band that rocked, but also featured classical arrangements. It all started when I watched the movie of Amadeus. There's an amazing piece of orchestral music in the opening scene and as I heard it, I imagined a bass line and the sound of a rock band revving up their engine like a motorbike. That idea became our song 'Shadow Walking'. I had already been working with Jono and Nick who play violin and cello and they helped me to turn the idea in to a reality. After that, I made a few phone calls to some musician friends whom I thought might understand where we were headed with this idea and two days before Christmas after one rehearsal, the band was formed. The name comes from the street musicians who used to play the streets of London in the 16th Century.

Pete: I got a call from two good musician friends of mine who were already involved in the Waits. I really enjoyed the concept and depth of the music.

Charles: Will called me in November, we hooked up and he played me the tracks he had written. When I heard them I wanted to be involved. As soon as I left Will's place I called Sam and between the two of us we got Pete involved.

Jonathan: I was there from the beginning and just got swept along by how good the music, concept and Will Tallis were.

Nick: I was challenged with how to wed classical music with rock music because I love both.

How has Shakespeare been an influence on your music?

Will: Well, it's funny really because I don't really separate the individual elements of the songs. After doing our first gig, it's quite a kick to see people in the audience reacting energetically to songs that have a few Shakespearean references. But it's only one part of what is really just a great band. Inspiration is essential but the vehicle that takes that to a new place is what is important, and that is the 6 of us. It's all about the magic that happens when we play together.

Pete: The works of Shakespeare cover a broad spectrum of emotion and humanity and I'm influenced by art that can draw upon the many contrasting facets of the human condition as inspiration.

Jonathan: All I know is that if I mention the 'Scottish play' our gig might become a disaster…

Nick: I would say the guttural and raw nature of Shakespeare make it an exciting addition to music.

What are your musical influences?

Will: Mozart, Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies and Rimsky Korsakov.
Pete: Tool, Led Zeppelin, Fugazi, Mars volta, Spice girls.
Jonathan: Brand New Heavies, Barber, Tower of Power, The Waits.
Charles: Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Beatles… and so many others.
Nick: David Byrne, Yes, Steve Reich.
Sam: Floyd, Chili Peppers, Soundgarden... the list goes on.

How was your first gig?

Will: Just incredible. It's all very well being impressed with yourselves in a rehearsal but it's immaterial until you see the faces of strangers picking up on the vibe. Also, this band is a walking, breathing event, so the gig did really feel like losing your virginity. It was phenomenal.
Pete: It was great. To make any kind of connection through expressive music is what its all about for me.
Jonathan: Fantastic, the band is awesome.
Charles: It was fun, sweaty and hot… as all good things are.
Sam: Exactly as Charles puts it!!!
Nick: It was like we'd done it for years.

What would be your perfect venue?

Will: Knebworth.
Pete: Coachella.
Charles: Madison Square Garden.
Jonathan: Madison Square Gardens.
Nick: Madison Square Gardens.
Sam: Earls Court.

What is your strangest habit?

Will: Me, I am my strangest habit.
Pete: Break dancing when I clearly have no skill.
Jonathan: Er…
Nick: Complete irreverence for everything.
Charles: Drum editing.

What is the first record you have ever bought?

Will: Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev.
Pete: Bad- Michael Jackson.
Jonathan: Thriller.
Nick: Diana Ross.
Charles: Start me Up-The Rolling Stones.
Sam: ELO – Mr blue Sky.

What is the last artist you saw Live?

Will: Crowded House at The Royal Albert Hall.
Pete: I saw the Mars Volta at Brixton academy.
Charles: Led Zeppelin at O2.
Sam: Heaven And Hell at The Brighton Centre.