Ocean City Sounds Competition – A Chat with the Bands
Ocean City Sounds is a two-day festival of live music where you can see some of the best international and local artists. To up the ante on the local music front, Plymouth Live, in association with Plymouth City Council, offered the fans a chance to choose who will open the MTV Presents Stage at the Ocen City Sounds festival! Being the nosy little annoyances that we like to be here at Other Side, we decided to speak to the bands in the running and see what they think about this…even figure out who they would vote for!
Voting ends tonight at 5 pm GMT and takes place on the Plymouth Live ezine.
The Native
Together Ben, Charlie, Tom and Harry are The Native, an indie alternative band from Plymouth. They have played at some of the UK’s biggest festivals including Tunes in the Dunes, Boardmasters and Port Eliot. Their debut EP Fall Down is out now on all major streaming platforms.
How did you feel when you heard you were part of the Ocean City Sounds competition?
TN: When we first found out we were being given an opportunity to play at Ocean City Sounds, we were over the moon. It’s a festival we’ve grown up loving as all of us have lived around the Plymouth area for most of our lives. Knowing bands that we admire have played on the same stage that we could be playing on makes it extra special.
Which is your favourite act performing at the festival this year?
TN: Its got to be Bastille. Especially as Woody, their drummer, is a Plymouth boy and attended Devonport High School for Boys, the same school we go to.
If you had to describe your band in three words, what would they be?
TN: Infectious, ambient, melodic.
Imagine you were not part of the competition. Which of the other acts would you choose to win, and why?
TN: We’ve played alongside Velvet Echoes a few times, and they are all lovely people, and their music is awesome. So, if we weren’t part of the competition, we would definitely be supporting them.
What else do you have lined up for 2018?
TN: We’ve got a busy summer this year, we’ve already played at Tunes in the Dunes. At the end of this month, we will also be heading down to Cornwall to play Port Eliot, and then, later on, we will be playing at Boardmasters.
Lastoneout
Formed in 2012, the long-standing Plymouth ‘polite post-hardcore’ band have built up a strong following wherever they go. The band’s mini-album, This Was Never My Story, It’s Yours won critical acclaim when released in 2016; but they still have a lot more to say.
How did you feel when you heard you were part of the Ocean City Sounds competition?
L: We were really shocked and excited. We don’t usually put ourselves into these competitions as we feel we sit just the other side of the ‘mainstream’, but this time we thought we would give it a go, and here we are.
Which is your favourite act performing at the festival this year?
L: It’s a difficult choice, but I would say, Pete Tong. For us, he has the nostalgia edge over the rest.
If you had to describe your band in three words, what would they be?
L: We use the term ‘polite post-hardcore’. What we mean by that is, sure, we have some heavier sections here and there, but we also love a good sing-a-long and chorus hook which may just get you smiling.
Imagine you were not part of the competition. Which of the other acts would you choose to win, and why?
L: Now that is a tough one. All of the acts selected are great, and a lot of them good friends of ours, but I think we would like to see The Native win. It is so important to keep the younger bands moving and keep the bands selected for these events fresh. They are already starting to make a buzz for themselves at such a young age, which is awesome to see. When we were there (many moons ago), this would have been a real boost for us.
What else do you have lined up for 2018?
L: The Lastoneout family has had two new small additions over the last twelve months, so we have had a quiet year so far; but, we have some awesome things that we are involved with towards the end of the year. We can’t talk about it just yet.
Chay Snowdon
Chay Snowdon is made up of four players, George Roach on bass, Liam Roberts on lead guitar, Ed Fox on drums and Chay Snowdon singing lead vocals with rhythm guitar. Since their formation in 2015, this indie rock ‘n’ roll band has featured on BBC Introducing, played at the British Fireworks Championships and Liverpool Sound City festival, supported The Sherlocks, and shared the main stage with Jesus and Mary Chain. In fact, we even interviewed this upcoming star, and featured the band as May’s Musician of the Month! Our nosy questions are answered by vocalist, Chay Snowdon.
How did you feel when you heard you were part of the Ocean City Sounds competition?
CS: We were absolutely elated! To potentially get to share the stage with some huge acts is amazing, and we are thankful to be in the running.
Which is your favourite act performing at the festival this year?
CS: I think I’d have to say Bastille. I love their tunes, plus Woody the drummer is from around our way! Always great to see a local lad doing so well.
If you had to describe your band in three words, what would they be?
CS: Energetic, loud, and fun.
Imagine you were not part of the competition. Which of the other acts would you choose to win, and why?
CS: I think I would choose The Normals. I’ve seen them live a few times now and they’re great fun! They would get the MTV crowd going for sure.
What else do you have lined up for 2018?
CS: We are currently in the studio working on a couple of tracks that we hope to have released as soon as possible. We also have loads of cool shows and festivals with great promoters, so we can’t wait!
Black Friday
For over a decade the seven-strong, unstoppable Black Friday have been delivering their stomping, high-energy homebrew of folk, Celtic and punk music across the lands of Cornwall, Devon and beyond. Our questions were answered by bassist Helen and fiddler Ben.
How did you feel when you heard you were part of the Ocean City Sounds competition?
B: Fairly surprised, considering I didn’t know we had entered.
H: I put in the entry just a couple days before. Yes, I hadn’t told anyone.
Which is your favourite act performing at the festival this year?
H: To be honest, very few were on our musical radar before we Googled the lineup. It was a hard choice. We’re going with the Heritage Orchestra.
B: Even if it’s all gone a bit Pete Tong.
If you had to describe your band in three words, what would they be?
B: Plastered plastic Paddys.
H: Gmaj Dmaj Amin.
B: Three chord stamina.
H: Very modest jokers.
B: Actually good fun.
Imagine you were not part of the competition. Which of the other acts would you choose to win, and why?
H: Land of the Giants, or else Tom may never lend me his bass amp again.
B: Jokes and friendships aside, they are actually the best bananas in the bunch.
What else do you have lined up for 2018?
H & B: We’re super busy with three or four gigs a week. The ones we’re most excited about are Trowbridge festival, Port Eliot festival, and going to some French festivals. Also, we’re down Haywood Cider Farm, which is always a good laugh.
