IPO Interview – James Styring of Sons of Jet & The Popdogs

Posted on 22 May 2014

Sons of Jet IPO photo-78

PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your latest project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?

James Styring (JS): I’m probably better known as the frontman with the UK’s powerpop band, The Popdogs. We launched our debut album, ‘Cool Cats For Pop Dogs’ at last year’s IPO Liverpool. It’s made us some good friends and got us some great reviews, but I thought I’d take a little time out from full-on powerpop, and try something a little different. Sons of Jet are very much like The Popdogs, in as much as we’re still very guitar/melody driven, but we’re a little more retro or 60’s influenced than that band. And I’m very lucky, once again, to be working with some great musicians.

The Recording Process:  There are so many interesting ways that music projects come into the world these days compared with what artists had to struggle through years ago.  Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way.  Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?

JS: I write the songs at home, just myself and an acoustic guitar. Once I’m happy with them, I take them in to the rehearsal room for the fellas to have a listen and contribute their parts. We’re all influenced by the same kind of bands and sounds, so it normally comes together fairly quickly. We’ve just recorded a 2 track cd, to give away free, at our IPO Liverpool 2014 gigs on May 15th; a kind of introduction to the band. But I have more than enough material written for a full length record, so the plan is at some point later in the year, to do just that, record an album. We basically record ‘live’ in the studio. I believe it’s all about capturing that initial ‘spark’ that made you like the song in the first place. If you spend too long perfecting every little thing, somewhere along the line, it’s easy to forget what you were aiming for in the first place. Quite often you can return to the original demo and realise you prefer it. Most of The Popdog’s record was first takes. Many of the classic rock and roll records were made this way, and they’re as fresh today as back then.

Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?

I guess any songwriter would say all his or her songs were special to them, for one reason or another. But I think any song from a new band/project that folks hear first, makes it a little different. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. So the two tracks on our giveaway IPO Liverpool cd are important to us, ‘My Tears For You (No More) // ‘Broken Record

As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are your thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of the changes helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?

JS: If a band are going to survive and sell records (which we all need to do), it’s going to have to adapt to the changing music industry. Yes, things are very different now to a few years ago, but not only in music, it’s a rapidly changing world (and seemingly getting smaller) But that’s certainly not a bad thing. Music’s so much more readily available to everyone now – within moments of putting a song online, people are listening. It’s far easier to build a fan base and create interest, than ever before. We need to learn to embrace the changes, not fight them. And a great band is a great band, regardless of industry changes. Good music will always find it’s audience. It always has.

We would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them?  Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?

JS: As I’ve mentioned, the plan is to return to the recording studio, later in the year, to begin work on the Sons of Jet debut album. The songs are written, ready to go. And there’s a new Popdogs album to write with Tim, too.

Is there a particular musician(s) you’d love to collaborate with – and why?

JS: There are so many! Some of them sadly no longer with us. I guess to work with some of the original pioneers of rock and roll would’ve been the dream! And not really a collaboration, but to have been a fly on the wall in Abbey Road, when The Beatles were working.

Advance apologies: the so-called ‘classic’ questions.   What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”?  (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust us!)

JS: Do The Beatles reissues count? How about The Byrds? So many timeless records. I could just list my parent’s record collection! I still love, Parallel Lines, by Blondie! I’m influenced by anything that ‘grabs’ me. Melody. Harmony. Songs with real emotion. Songs that last the test of time. Buddy Holly, The Everly’s, The Beach Boys..Or check out the International Pop Overthrow festival (and CD’s!) So many great bands to discover.

We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases of the last few years?

JS: I buy new music all the time, from pop and powerpop, to classic rock and roll and rockabilly. Be influenced by everything! I’ve just got the new EP from a young Liverpool band, Jimmy and the Revolvers. It’s very retro/merseybeat. And they’re fab live. I loved the last dB’s album and ‘Ignition’ by Shoes is a favourite. The new Temples album is sounding good and I’m loving The Beat Rats. The La’s boxset, Howard Eliott Payne, the last Cast record, anything that REM may still release. The list is pretty much endless and ever growing!

Okay, last question:  Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have?

JS: You can find both Sons of Jet and The Popdogs on facebook. The Popdogs debut album, ‘Cool Cats For Pop Dogs’ is available on iTunes, with the CD at KoolKatmusik.com. Also at ReverbNation.

Sons of Jet played IPO Liverpool 2014, at The Cavern Club, Thursday 15th May…

Sons_Of_Jet_IPO_2014


 

 

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