Name: Shoot The Messenger
Formed: June 2014
Hometown: Derry/L’Derry
Genre: Indie Rock
Line-up: Brooke Logan – Vocals, Jake Smith – Lead Guitar, Caolan Moore – Bass, Lauren Kelly – Drums
◀ Q & A ▶
▶ Tell us about your band name?
We decided on Shoot the Messenger after messaging each other back and forth trying to find a good name and Jake suggested Shoot the Messenger.
▶ When did you start playing music and how would you describe your sound?
Lauren and Caolan were at the Sync project with the Nerve Centre and decided to start a band but people dropped out and eventually myself (Jake) and Brooke joined. We started playing In June 2014 and we played the main stage of Music City in Derry at an early morning slot. We just wanted to keep getting better and better so we practised more and wrote more songs that summer. We would describe our sound as mostly Indie/Rock with a splash of other influences too.
▶ What releases have you put out so far?
We haven’t properly recorded anything yet but we are working on that. We stuck up a live track of ‘Rules’ on our Soundcloud.
▶ Is there a particular live show which stands out amongst all the rest?
We have played the Nerve Centre a few times and we always enjoy playing there. We are going back in May to support Goons too and we are really excited for that one. We also loved playing Stendhal last year. It is such a great festival.
▶ Can you talk about a Highlight and a low point of the journey so far
A highpoint is getting to write songs and coming into the practice room with new ideas then playing a great show that everybody enjoys feels really great. However it is hard getting together since we are all in college and getting the money together to record is a problem.
▶ If you weren’t musicians how would you spend your spare time?
Well, we are all in some kind of education at the moment so we would just be doing that.
▶ If you were to go on a world tour and you could pick any 3 acts come along, who would they be?
Two Door Cinema Club, Riot Upstairs and Kings of Leon.
▶ What would be the 3 strangest things on your rider if you were able to make any demand?
Only blue m+ms, air from the alps and yoghurt
▶ Who has been your biggest inspiration as a musician?
For me (Jake) it would be Foals and Two Door Cinema Club. They inspired me to play guitar and really get into music.
▶ Is there a particular aim or goal which you hope to achieve through music?
We really want to release music and maybe an EP.
▶ Are there any other Northern Irish musicians we should check out?
Check out Riot Upstairs, Arctic Crescent and Lost Avenue.
▶ What is next for you?
We are playing our first Belfast show on the 10th April then back in Derry with Goons on the 1st May. Hopefully we can get some tunes out there and then play loads of shows this summer including Stendhal.
◀ LISTEN ▶
Facebook ▶ /Shoot The Messenger
Twitter ▶ @messenger_shoot
