When Chordblossom came into existence, it was always our aim to shine a spotlight on the artists and bands that make up the music scene in Northern Ireland. We’ve been doing it for over ten years now and one of our favourite methods is our Introducing feature.
Put the kettle on, curl up on your sofa and and join us for a quickfire Q&A with some of our favourite new musicians. Who knows, maybe you’ll even discover your new favourite artists.
This iteration of Introducing features the musical talents of GUSH who just released their latest single ‘Like That’.
What was the inspiration behind your artist name?
Chelsea: I just had it in my head that it needed to be one word. I remember putting it to the guys and they thought it was funny, because of course they did.
Really, I just thought it sounded cool. We all did. There’s no real meaning behind it, but I could give it a few if someone forced me. So if you ever hear me give some long-winded explanation as to how it came about and what it means, just know I made that up.
You’ve just released a new single. How did it come about and what does it mean to you?
Robby: It was actually Rab who wrote the rhythm guitar part right, off the bat (typical bassist overstepping his place!) As usual, he sent it into the group chat, asking what we thought, and we all liked it. Me and Chelsea then worked out the rhythm part for her to play and I started to work out the melody part. At our next practice, Darren had some drum ideas, so we worked out the rest of the song.
At this point, we did the usual demo and Chelsea was able to then come up with the vocal melody and lyrics. While we were in the studio recording it, this gave us the chance to try out a few different ideas, in terms of vocal harmonies and extra guitar layers that we couldn’t do before. We were so happy to work with Jonny Woods to make it, as he helped us turn it into something we’re all super proud of!
Chelsea: For me, Like That reflects that feeling of just being a bit done with things, being in a bit of a crappy head space, feeling low, not really being up for anything and not really knowing what to do about it. Also, that paranoia of feeling like everyone knows you’re in a bad mood and you’re just bringing bad vibes for whoever is subject to your company. I know that sounds a bit depressing, but I guess that’s what was festering in me when I wrote it.
I suppose I went with the lyrics ‘Like That’ to be the song title because it reflects the apathy that goes with feeling so down and done with things, as if it’s just ‘like that’ / ‘it is what it is’ sort of mentality.
Have you any more releases or studio time lined up for later in the year?
Yes, we were just in the studio again last weekend! Cooking up your feel good hit of the summer. So that’ll be out in the not too distant future. We’re aiming to get another track recorded soon enough, but it’s still a work in progress at the minute. It should be out by the end of the year as well.
Tell us about your song writing process.
Robby: Typically, either myself, Chelsea or Rab will have an idea. This could be a riff, chord progression or an entire song front to back. This will end up in a voice message sent into our group chat, so it gives the rest of a us the chance to get a listen and try to work out what we can do with it. Next time we’re at a practice, we’ll just play over it a few times and see what happens. This gives us the chance to bounce off each other and share ideas, as all our songs are always a big collaboration between all of us and never really just one person’s thing.
Once we’re happy with the music, we’ll normally record it on a phone in practice or I’ll do a demo of it at home on my computer, so Chelsea has something to listen to when writing lyrics. This only really applies though if me or Rab had come up with original idea. Chelsea always has lyrics good to go if she came up with the song in the first place.
Who were your favourite artists/bands growing up? Have your influences changed over time?
Chelsea: I grew up on AC/DC, The Eagles, Pink Floyd- proper dad rock. Then, when I was a teenager and started to venture into music myself, I found the likes of Nirvana and Hole, but also Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes, and Fall Out Boy too. I do listen to all of those bands now and again, and they’ve all absolutely influenced how I write songs, but I’d say my taste has definitely grown since being a teenager. Now, I’d listen to anything, from Lana Del Rey, Kyuss, J.J. Cale, The Distillers, CMAT, Black Sabbath, St. Vincent, Big Thief- a bit of everything.
Robby: Growing up, the music channels were still very much a thing, so I have to give a shout out to Kerrang TV for introducing me to so many bands and music genres I never knew existed. Two bands that stuck the most, especially in my early days of learning guitar, were blink-182 and Nirvana. I just loved the way they both wrote their songs- simple but catchy. I still listen to them now but I’ve definitely expanded my tastes, listening to anything from Johnny Cash to Lana Del Rey. But I’d say my two biggest influences would be Dinosaur Jr and Queens of the Stone Age.
Rab: Celine Dion forever.
What’s been your favourite local release from the last twelve months?
Chelsea: My favourite single would have to be Swim In The Bay by Wynona Bleach. When they first released it and I gave it a listen, I literally just had it on repeat. It has a real heavy oomph to it, then with Melyssa’s sparkly vocals, it just makes me want to flail about or something. And the bridge is so cool, like proper Smashing Pumpkins vibes. It’s very addictive.
Robby: I really liked A.N.J.A’s latest release When You’re The Worst You’re The Best! High energy, riffy guitars that’s just nearly 4 minutes of in your face goodness! Also, Lights Out from Broncos was a banger. Giving off At the Drive-in vibes that I can’t get enough of.
Rab: Like That by GUSH. Absolute banger!
If you weren’t musicians, what line of work would we find you in?
Chelsea: Er well, unfortunately I’m not a full-time musician- cost of living crisis and all that. For my day job, I teach English. But hopefully one day I can say I have a career as a musician! If that falls through, I’d still want to do something involving music or being creative.
Robby: Sadly we’re not full time musicians 🙁 I currently work a day job in IT but would love to one day own my own speciality coffee shop.
Rab: If I wasn’t a musician I’ve always pictured myself being a Rodeo Clown. That, or just being paid to drink pints.
If you could collaborate with one artist or band from NI, who would it be and why?
Chelsea: Anja Di Roma from A.N.J.A. We were on The Rig Rundown podcast together last month and chatted a good bit. I feel like musically, we are really on the same page. We like the same sound and have a lot of similar influences. I think we could write something really nasty together.
Robby: We played a gig at the start of the year in the Deers Head and one of the bands on the bill was Gravity Well. I’d never heard of them before but holy shit did they blow me away. Me and Rab had sore jaws after their set from stank facing for half an hour straight, as their riffs were just so dirty. I’d love to collab with them and cook up something slow and sludgy! I also would love to create an all Larne supergroup alongside Therapy? and maybe put Larne on the map for something half decent.
Rab: He’s not a musician but I’d love to jam with Jimmy Nesbitt. I bet he plays some mean jazz flute – just has that look about him.
It is intensely difficult to be successful in the music industry. What does NI need to do to invest in/develop to boost your chances?
Chelsea: There are a few things I could say about this! Overall, I think NI needs to be more supportive of their local artists and bands as a whole. Local artists and bands could get far more radio play and they could be given more opportunities to open for touring bands.
I also think improving our public transport times would help increase gig goers, which is an area I’m really concerned about. There are so many gigs happening across NI but we just don’t have enough gig goers. I think a lot of people are put off because gigs usually run on past the time of the last buses and trains, and then they’ve no way to get home.
Although, ultimately, it seems like the more money you have behind you, the more likely you are to succeed in the music industry. We aren’t all blessed with having tonnes of money to spare to feed into our music, so a bit more financial support, like grants and funding, would be really beneficial. It would help bands with recording, branding, promoting, getting their own decent equipment, etc. You’re very limited to what you can achieve in the industry without any money, unfortunately.
What does success look like for you?
Chelsea: Making a career out of music. I think if I could comfortably sustain myself through songwriting and performing, that’s literally the dream. Travelling the world, playing our songs in front of different people every night- maybe one day…
Robby: To be honest, I feel like what we’ve already been able to achieve as a band feels like success to me. If you told me when I was a teenager that I’d be in a band with my mates, playing gigs up and down the country, recording songs and getting them played on the radio, I’d think that was pretty successful. In regards to feeling like I’ve ‘made it’, if I could quit my day job and pay my rent solely off playing our music, then that is the epitome of success in my mind.
Rab: Quitting my f***ing day job.
You’re going out on tour and can have anything you want on your rider, what would we find on yours?
Chelsea: Tequila, triple sec and plenty of limes. If you know, you know.
Robby: A full blown coffee brew kit. I’m talking freshly roasted beans (shout out to Established Coffee), hand grinder, V60, goose neck kettle, the whole lot. Also, a handful of Dr Peppers for their healing powers.
Rab: A 12 pack of Harp and 20 Marlboro Gold.
Where and when can we next catch you live?
After our gig in the Empire on 10th April, our next show will be in Oh Yeah Centre for Girls With Guts Fest on Saturday 28th June. We’re really excited for that one!
We’ve a few other festivals lined up for over the summer as well: United Tribes Festival in Omagh on 29th June, Around the Town Festival in Carrickfergus on 2nd August, and Gazefest on 30th August.
If you enjoyed this feature and fancy discovering some more new artists, we suggest you jump on over to our archive of Introducing pieces.
If you are a band or musician based in Northern Ireland interested in taking part in our Introducing feature, we recommend submitting new music to us via our Contact page and if we enjoy it, you’ll no doubt hear from us.
