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?

Lewis Docksey – Vocals, Guitar (LD): Our latest album,  Thornby Park is 2 years in the making and our 7th. The songs were written in 2013 – 2014. We at the moment have only played it to a handful of people, but the feedback’s been really encouraging. It will be available on Itunes, CD Baby, and many other downloadable platforms also our website www.splitsofa.co.uk

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?

LD: It helps that we have our own recording studio, so we can experiment with different things. Split sofa are always writing so the process never stops. I work with Martin Gilman (Acoustic) and Gareth Williams (Bass and Vocal) when the songs first get written but we have so many songs, which is a good thing and because we regularly get together there’s always something new to write and work on.

Thornby Park title song was written in 1996, I just updated it and everybody loved it, it’s so sixties. The only struggle was in the mixing process. I have to live the song again which took 2 weeks to really know the song. I use that time to use what I call Nudging. It’s shaping the song, making the layers.

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

LD: Days so long ago is very special to me , it was an experiment to write a Beatles song as if they were alive today. I watched at the time the making of free as a bird on Youtube and I saw George and Ringo in Paul’s studio adding instruments to John’s backing track. It just gave me the idea of what they would have come out with if they all had been there. I sat for 6 hours at the piano to write this, because of the Beatles connection I thought if they were sitting here they would all be on about the past so Days so long ago came out.

Wonderful was also an experiment to see if I could write a Coldplay type of song. I wanted it to be radio friendly so I made it not too long. I hope this song get heard as we all are very proud of it and would love Days so long ago is very special to me as it was an experiment to write a Beatles song as if they were alive today. I watched at the time the making of free as a bird on Youtube and I saw George and Ringo in Paul’s studio adding instruments to John’s backing track. It just gave me the idea of what they would have come out with if they all had been there. I sat for 6 hours at the piano to write this, because of the Beatles connection I thought if they were sitting here they would all be on about the past so Days so long ago came out.

The lyrics were about my brother who I had met up with again and enjoyed his company for a short time before he passed in Aug 2014. There are some beautiful bass parts by Gareth and Roger gives us that power throughout the album.

Thornby Park which I mentioned earlier I just remember writing and getting that hook at 4 o’clock in the morning at a session in 1996. It came from nowhere so I am really proud to be able to update that song and add different time signatures that keep our drummer Roger Moggs on his toes.

I must mention 10,000 light years as that was Bob Dylan influence and, of course, a bit of Lennon. Modeled on Dylan circa 1966. The reference about being a leper in a tree really reflects from Strawberry fields ‘No One is in my tree’ lyric as being different or feeling different to other people but the song is a wonderful example of late sixties Psych. An amazing effect from our lead guitarist Joe Nicklin. The album’s got some great songs which take you on a journey

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?

LD: For someone like us the music technology is fantastic, you are now able to upload and share your music straight away and get feedback. I remember how excited many years ago when I discovered that now, I could record my songs on a CD and throw those terrible cassettes away.

But for signed artists sharing your music and not getting your money is a major problem. Music is available on so many platforms now as I say it’s great for unsigned artists because you want to reach as many platforms as you can, but I really don’t know where it’s all going to go and how they can supervise it.

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?

LD: Everything we do, we do ourselves, our goal is to push in the media and to get our music heard on all platforms. We write, record, publish, artwork design, and now have our own producer so we oversee everything. Split Sofa is not just a band but a product.

We never stop writing and recording. There is always something to work on. The guys have already started the next project, but we are just writing and recording different songs and enjoying it with no plans for an album just yet.

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

LD: Crispian Mills out of Kula Shaker, I just love his songs. He like Noel Gallagher writes not just songs but great melodies. Paul McCartney would love to sit down with him, but I would most likely ask him loads of questions. and Noel, of course.

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!)

LD: My music is very influenced by the late sixties psychedelic era so, Beatles, The Small Faces, The Who, The Zombies, the Action, The Creation, The Association, Jefferson Airplane, Bob Dylan, The Doors, Love, The Grateful Dead, The move, Gong plus many more have elements in Sofa rock.

Gong showed me that you can take music anywhere, but the songs had to have a strong hook or a catchy progression of chords. Caravan as well were the same, but they used more melody which drew me to them.I was always looking for strong melody which was going back to why I loved the Beatles. Simple Melody is what you need.

My Fav Albums are:

1 – Abbey Road  – The Beatles

2 – If I Could do it all again, I’d do it all over you  – Caravan

3 – K – Kula Shaker

4 – Odyssey & Oracle – The Zombies

5 – Postcards – Sparkadia

Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have?

LD: We are on Itunes, CD Baby, www.splitsofa.co.uk, and SoundCloud.