Surrey’s Gold Phoenix released their new single Oh So Hard via Deaf Endling Records last month. The band expresses large doses of raw, riff heavy Garage-Rock and their video to accompany the latest single was filmed by Joe Parker at Full Tang Visual. Oh So Hard is the follow up to the bands debut self titled EP which gained great reviews, airplay and recognition. The single Back To You was played on shows including BBC Introducing South’s Saturday show, and Belgium’s Equinoxe FM. Following the successful response of Gold Phoenix’s debut self titled EP in late 2014, the band spent the year playing shows around the UK. This included shows with international touring bands such as The Weeks and Thomas Truax, a London show supporting WWE Legend X-Pac and they supported UK upcoming bands Dolomite Minor, Eva Plays Dead and Armchair Committee. The band also toured the UK in August 2015 playing prestigious venues including The Jacaranda Club in Liverpool, Bannermans in Edinburgh and The Boileroom in Guildford. Check out the latest single below!
We manage to catch up with Gold Phoenix as they talked about their latest single, news on new EP, fans and more!
So how has your new single ‘Oh So Hard’ gone?
Fred – It seems to have been received quite well, with a lot of Youtube hits early on and a lot of airplay via various mediums,
Ed – “Oh So Hard” seems to have been well received. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback, from friends, reviews and just random people online which is always nice!
Jamie – So far so good! still a lot of promoting to do with it, but its going down well as with the video, its always great to hear peoples thoughts/reviews on the song, and lucky enough they’ve all been good!
Is it any different from your previous work?
Ed – It is quite a bit heavier and longer than most of our other stuff, but we feel it still retains the raw sense of energy that is present in our other songs,
Jamie – Yeah its definitely longer than our other stuff, the style of the vocals for instance is different, but it still sounds like us. With it being long it was harder to push radio wise, but we all chose to record it and release it as a single with a video and we’re really proud of it!
What’s it like working alongside Nick Brine?
Fred – Nick was fun and helpful. He didn’t try and change the structure or the speed or even the length of the song. He took what we laid down and he made it sound raw, loud and awesome! A funny guy and the kind of guy you could talk to for ages.
Ed – Nick was very fun to work with. Whilst we were a little nervous and possibly even intimidated at first, due to it being the first time we’d worked with someone of his calibre, he helped us relax very quickly. A particular highlight was when Fred lost his voice halfway through and sounded exactly like Phil Mitchell, and we were trying to have a serious conversation, but none of us could keep a straight face any time Fred opened his mouth! Also a big shout out to both Jon Constantine and Kenny!
Jamie – Like Ed said it was quite intimidating at first, not only the thought of working with a guy who’s done what Nick has, but to be in a Studio like Rockfield…but we were instantly put at ease and it all came very naturally. It was super rad to work with someone so professional yet funny and down to earth, we all lived together pretty much for a few days so we all got to hang out and get to know each other. We’d all go our separate ways for dinner then recoup at around 11-12 at night for a twilight session in the studio, usually with lots of beer/wine. Many a beverage.
Is there an EP at all on it’s way?
Fred – We are looking at recording early next year and hopefully if we can get a small collection of tracks then yes there may well be an EP.
Ed – Yeah we hope to record some tracks next year. The time and budget that we have will dictate whether we manage to do a whole EP but we hope to do so.
Jamie – We would love to record an EP/Album as soon as we can, we’d release one year if we had the chance. But its generally just down to funds to how much studio time we can get, we also play shows a lot and have tours to plan so that also takes up a lot of our band fund. But yes we are currently in talks with Nick about recording early next year, whether it’ll be an EP yet is unclear but there will be more music in the first half of next year thats for sure.
Have you got a any tour dates planned for this year?
Fred – Yes! we will be touring from the 5th – 9th of October.
Ed – And we are also playing a Halloween show at the Boileroom in Guildford on the 31st October. We are always looking to add more shows, so keep an eye on goldphoenixband.com and facebook.com/goldphoenixband (or search goldphoenixband) to stay up to date.
Jamie – Yeah a short tour in October, usually places we wouldn’t usually do a standalone gig at! We’re in the process of booking some others as well so like Ed said check out our Facebook or website because we’re always adding new shows!
How much do your fans mean to you?
Jamie – Lots, being a new band we’re still collecting and trying to gain a steady fanbase, but its the reason we do this, its the nicest feeling when people come to see you, then a few months later you play in the same town again and they are there! We love building a friendship with people that come to see us, thats the way forward!
Fred – Every single fan is precious to us!
Ed – The fans mean a lot. I know it’s really clichéd to say, but without them, we’d just give up as there would be next to no point carrying on.
If you could work with any band/artist who would it be?
Ed – Probably have to say Jack White. The man is ridiculous.
Fred – System of a down, Band of Skulls.
Jamie – I’d agree with Jack White, he’s the man. Josh Homme he’s also the man. Man I’d take em both.
