In promoting new album ,’Throw’, Flood of Red visit Mad Hatters on July the 6th. We caught up with lead singer Jordan Spiers to talk about the history of the band, the new album and more.
You’ve been together as a band long enough to have a MySpace page :), the changes in the musical environment seem quite marked, especially when looking at your earlier interviews.
What do you think the biggest changes are and how have they affected Flood of Red?
Wow! myspace. The lineup is a little different from when we last used it. These days it seems that if someone’s band isn’t doing so well and aren’t getting enough attention, they’ll give up and start a new project.
I’ve seen it happen loads. I guess some bands just want to change genre, name and not worry about what the original fans might think.
It’s a shame really, some people are so desperate for success and give up so easily. I really do admire bands who really stick at it, no matter what and make something from it.
We aren’t ones to give up and change our ways, we always look to progress and grow.
You identify influences from “Black Sabbath to Fleetwood Mac” what is it about those bands that particularly stand out? Do you find influence in your contemporaries?
Bands like Fleetwood Mac and Black Sabbath really stood out because they were always moving forward and creating something original. These are bands that really worked hard to get where they were and it paid off. For that reason alone it’s something to be influenced by, their music is sensational too.
I find influence in everything, if any band makes a great record, you just can’t help but fall in love with it. I seem to respect a band a lot more if they’ve really worked hard to be where they are. I guess that’s all down to my own experiences.
Given that your debut release has been given away with Rock Sound, reflecting back on the album and the journey towards making it, how do you feel about your debut album?
Our debut record ‘Leaving Everything Behind’ is always something we’ll be proud of. We spent a long time on that record. We released that record on our own label and were very lucky to be able to visit Baltimore to record it. Whenever I hear any song from that record it still takes me back to how exciting and nerve wrecking it was to create a debut album. I’d never want to lose that feeling.
Rock Sound announced the new album with an article that featured; “Want some good news? Flood Of Red have signed to Superball Music and the band are currently working on their second album. BOOOOOOOOOOOM.” It’s fair to say that they are excited, do you think there was additional pressure on the band to follow up on “Leaving Everything Behind”?
I’m sure everyone who’s made a record goes through the stress of the second record. If I’m honest, this time round, creating ‘Throw’ felt loads more natural as time went on. I think the gap between the records and everything we went through helped how it all came together.
How much has the deal with Superball Music helped with ‘Throw’?
Superball have been great with us. We share the same ideas and they almost understand us. They definitely gave us the extra push we needed to help make the record the way we have.
5 star reviews are already starting to appear for ‘Throw
You can’t help but be nosy about what other people think of your work, it’s only natural. It won’t affect us really, it’s only one persons opinion after all. I understand that different people have different needs. This record won’t be for everyone. It sure is nice to feel appreciated sometimes though.
The new album’s artwork is particularly striking, how easy was it to come up with an image for the release?
This was an idea that our very own Dale Gallacher had together with Graham and Sean it worked our almost exactly how we hoped. The original photo he took was only meant to be a tester but as soon as it was developed we all knew it was meant for ‘Throw’.
What do you think the future holds for Flood of Red?
I’m really unsure. All I know is that we will be out playing shows, touring the album and continuing to write more songs along the way.
Flood of Red with support coming from Mountains Under Oceans and AMITY play Mad Hatters on Sunday July 6th. Click for Flood of Red tickets.
