Gold Phoenix release long awaited second EP There’s No Illusion Here on May 7th, since forming in 2014 the trio have released a self titled EP and two singles. Following the successful response to their previous material Gold Phoenix have toured the UK twice, and played various festivals in England including Tramlines, Southcider and Pangalactic. They’ve also featured on four BBC Introducing shows, Belgium’s Sound Of Brit and Equinoxe FM. 2018 has already been a busy one for Gold Phoenix, including the recording of the new EP in January, and then their first ever ten date European headline tour in February and March which was hugely successful for a band that are unsigned and who manage and promote all in house.
The new EP here’s No Illusion Here was recorded in Wales at the legendary Rockfield Studios and Leeders Vale Studios with Nick Brine (The Darkness, Seasick Steve) and mastered by Pete Maher (Jack White, The Rolling Stones). All five tracks pay a powerful homage to the bands that have influenced their sound including The White Stripes, Queens Of The Stone Age & Band Of Skulls. For now, check out single Lotion below!
We managed to catch up with the band as they talked about their upcoming EP and more!
So how pumped are you for your upcoming EP ‘There’s No Illusion Here’?
Fred- I’m very excited. We’ve worked on it for a long time and tried to put together a good mix of songs. We’ve invested a lot of energy and cash into getting the sound we’re after.
Ed – So pumped. This is definitely the best release we’ve put together and we’re so excited for people to hear it.
Jamie – Really pumped! We’ve been working away on this record for a long time now, so finally having it on the verge of release is super rad! I feel its our best work yet, lets hope everyone else things that too!
Can you tell us something about the EP no one else knows?
Jamie – There was a point in the studio that a few inappropriate words regarding Ed Sheeran were nearly reversed and hidden in the mix of a song. I have nothing against the man, there had just been a lot of wine consumed at that very moment in time.
Fred- I think hot n cold is about animal cruelty?
What’s your favourite track from the release?
Ed – Oh man, that’s tough. I’d say it’s a toss-up between “Hard to Beat” and “Every Step of the Way”
Fred- Hot n cold for me. I really like the overall sound, tone and lyrics. Playing the bass in it is quite fun too.
Jamie – My favourite is ‘Hot ’n’ Cold’, it was the newest track we had written before going into recording so it just feels super fresh! Its got a lot of fun parts to play too!
What was your favourite moment making this EP?
Fred- working with Nick Brine and Kenny Dogleash again was good.
Jamie – I love it when the tracks start coming together properly during recording, it can quite tedious recording all the parts separately and repeatedly playing the same bits over and over again. So when you get to just sit back and listen to what you’ve created, that’s the moment for me!
Ed – The whole process to be honest. Being in the studio making music is always fun, and Nick made it a really relaxed and fun atmosphere
Have you got any tour plans for this year or any festivals lined up?
Ed – We definitely plan on playing as many shows as possible, starting with the EP launch show at The Cage in Reigate on 31st May. Not too sure about festivals, as we’ve been really focused on getting this EP sorted, so festivals will probably have to come next year.
Fred- We probably a bit late for any festival slots now but gigging as much as we can and plugging the new EP is the main aim for the rest of the year.
Jamie – We’ve just got off a European tour which took a lot out of us! We have a EP release show in our hometown at the end of May, as well as lots of other shows planned for the rest of the year. Festival wise, we were a bit late release wise to get on this years lineups but next year for sure!
What do you get up to in your spare time when not working on music?
Ed – I play baseball (go Brighton!), but we generally just hang out a lot as a band. I wouldn’t want to be in a band with them if they weren’t my mates!
Fred- I like to spend time with the family and also get together with Jamie and Ed for a few bevvies.
Jamie – I don’t really get much spare time, the balance of work to fund the band gets in the way! but if I do get a few hours to myself, usually a lot of Netflix series or drinking with the boys…
How did you guys first get into music in the first place?
Fred- I have always been crazy about different music and decided to try and make it when I was 18 and haven’t stopped since. I was originally meant to be a guitarist in a band with mates but took on the bass instead. Really glad I did.
Jamie – Mine was the early 2000’s, bands like Muse, Green Day & Rage Against The Machine made me want to learn guitar, but it wasn’t really until I was about 17 that I started wanting to make music, rather than just play it.
Ed – I started playing drums when I was 14(ish) as my friends and I all wanted to be a band, as you do at that age, and drums were all that were left! That never really took off, but then I kept it up and joined a couple of punk bands before finding my way into Gold Phoenix.
What will be the dream venue you could imagine playing?
Ed – For me, it has to be headlining Glastonbury.
Fred- I think main stage of any major festival will make me real happy.
Jamie – Brixton Academy or Hammersmith Apollo!