Dead Writers are as striking and intriguing as their name suggests. Based in London, theirs is an ambitious sound defined by layers of dynamic guitars, anthem choruses and compelling vocals.
The band’s heady fusion of musical influences draws on the melodic brilliance of Queen, the mystical roar of Led Zeppelin, the glassy melancholy of The Cure and the dark swagger of The Cult.
Originally formed in 2017 by frontman/songwriter Paul Shine, Dead Writers are an explosive 5 piece who are fast building a reputation for themselves in the capital’s rock music scene, due in no small part to their arresting live performances.
Having recently joined Hermitage Works Studios as resident recording artists, Dead Writers have just published their official debut single ‘Medusa’ (June 2018), with a follow up single to be released imminently. They also host their own night in London, ‘Best Of All Worlds’, where they share the stage with a carefully curated collection of local acts they know and love. Check out ‘Medusa’ below!
We caught up with the band as they talked about their latest single and more!
How has the initial response been for Medusa?
We are very pleased with how people have reacted to it. Considering we are an unsigned independent band, the single is doing well on the digital platforms and the promo video we made for it has reached over 1,000 views on YouTube in two months. This is still a modest impact but the most important thing is that those who know our band have given us very positive feedback on the quality, energy and feel of song, and that’s already something to be very proud of.
Will you be releasing an EP this year?
Initially we had planned to release an EP that would include ‘Medusa’ and two more tracks, but instead we decided to put them out as individual singles to gain momentum and have more occasions to celebrate! However, we think we will still release an EP with new material, hopefully in the near future, as an advance before we focus on our debut album.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
That’s a tricky one, there are just so many artists we admire and respect. I personally would love to work with talents of the new generation, like Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, The Lemon Twigs or Temples. These guys make excellent music, share some of our influences and are ahead of us in the game, so I feel we could learn a great deal from working with them.
What band are you digging at the moment and like to tour with?
Again I would mention Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, I think their new album is fantastic. We saw them recently in London and I could totally picture us both on the same bill: two electrifying rock & roll bands with different frontmen styles giving their all on stage. Besides, we met them briefly before their show and they are very lovely people.
Will you be touring at all this year?
We haven’t organised a tour per se but we mean to start playing live a lot more, we feel it’s essential for the growth of the band and it’s our favourite part of being in a band. We have a few exciting dates coming up in London and we want to branch out to other towns as soon as possible.
What was the first ever gig you went to?
I can’t quite remember the name but it was a one-time touring tribute to the germinal generations of rock & roll, it covered all the timeless classics from the 50’s to the 70’s. I was 12 years old and that show changed my life. The singer broke a string of his guitar while playing ‘Johnny B. Goode’ and just kept bashing the thing with such style and raw energy. I suddenly knew I wanted to become THAT.
What’s the music scene like in London at the moment?
London music scenes are very segregated in my opinion, which is a natural thing, to be fair. I personally have friends in a lot of them and there are very gifted artists everywhere. As far as the rock scene is concerned, we feel we belong to a new breed of bands that don’t like sitting on the old and tired cliché side of our genre, but rather try to come up with original ideas and approaches, bringing rock music into the present. Romances, Big Peyote, The Life And Death and Temple Of Time are some of the acts that share this spirit with us and we consider them our partners in our own rock & roll revolution.
What do you get up to in your spare time when not working on music?
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I don’t usually get any time apart from working in music! But when I do, I enjoy tending to my other passions in life: reading, being with friends, drinking good wine, travelling when I can. Plus I am not bad in the kitchen; you’re welcome to come dine with me anytime.