Meet Bristol's Wakey Wakey Rise & Shine. Their debut single 'Vince' was included as "Track of the Week" in publications like Bristol in Stereo, IMN and Tap the Feed.
Second single 'Overtime', which was release in December 2020, got national radio play by the likes of BBC Introducing in the West, BBC 6 Music and Amazing Radio.
I had a virtual chat with Seamus and Smudge about life in lockdown and what they have been up to!
Please give our readers a little into of you who are / How are things at the Wakey Wakey Rise and Shine camp?
Seamus: Things are pretty peachy considering we’re in the midst of a global pandemic. We’ve managed to get our second single released whilst recording a bunch of new tunes and demos throughout. We have been able to keep things in-house and luckily we can produce our own material so we have been keeping busy whilst also experimenting with our sound.
Seamus: Things are pretty peachy considering we’re in the midst of a global pandemic. We’ve managed to get our second single released whilst recording a bunch of new tunes and demos throughout. We have been able to keep things in-house and luckily we can produce our own material so we have been keeping busy whilst also experimenting with our sound.
How did you come up with your band name – it's super catchy but I reckon on of the most dreaded sentences as we rather stay in bed lol…
Seamus: Smudge came up with the band name which got mixed reviews from all of us initially. Originally the band was called ‘Taller’ which we all now agree is the shittest band name ever. However a bunch of radio DJs have gone on to say it’s one of their favourite band names they have ever heard so I have finally come round to the name.
Smudge: I never thought of it that way being a dreaded sentence but now you’ve mentioned it, it’s made my day!
What inspires you? / Do you have any hobbies that you turn to to rejuvenate your creativity?
Smudge: I did some painting once and it didn’t really work, I still paint but personally, playing constantly is my favourite way to be creative and dazing around my flat looking for something that clicks with the music. A song I wrote recently is about my housemate when he made lemon drizzle and spent £4 on lemon extract. Those things inspire me.
Seamus: I find inspiration in a lot of different things but for the most part I just do as I’m told.
You released your second single – Overtime on the 11th of December - What's it about? What was the process for writing and producing it?
Seamus: I’ll let Smudge describe what the song is about but we recorded it and produced it ourselves but mainly from our bassist Duncan. That was a fun process as we were able to take our time with it. For a lot of unsigned bands you have to pay for everything including recording time so the fact we were able to do this on our own terms really benefited getting the sound we wanted.
Smudge: Overtime is a song for the working class people, people who struggle every month but keep powering through life to make it to the next.
What's something you learned early on that made you a better artist?
Seamus: Have a good ear and listen to what is being said as well as being played. Also don’t limit yourself when listening to music and listen to multiple genres.
Seamus: Have a good ear and listen to what is being said as well as being played. Also don’t limit yourself when listening to music and listen to multiple genres.
Smudge: I still don’t think I’m any good at music but if someone can’t do it then step up and try it, I wasn’t always a singer. I started singing because no one else would stand up, I’d like to think I’m ok at singing and it’s not just because of my Welsh blood.
What makes Bristol special for you? What are your thoughts about the Bristol music scene?
Seamus: Bristol seems to be on the forefront of everything cool and good which is why I love it. There’s always been a lot of experimenting and pushing boundaries in this city whether it's a current act like Giant Swan or the classics like Massive Attack or Portishead.
Seamus: Bristol seems to be on the forefront of everything cool and good which is why I love it. There’s always been a lot of experimenting and pushing boundaries in this city whether it's a current act like Giant Swan or the classics like Massive Attack or Portishead.
Smudge: I moved here for uni, and I instantly fell in love with the city. It’s got something for everyone and that goes the same for music… I don’t think there is a genre of music that can’t be explored here!
The dreaded subject “Covid” - how are you staying motivated through all of this as it's not the best time to be a musician or for the music biz in general?
Seamus: Yeah it’s pretty shit to say the least. The Government has completely abandoned the Arts industry and obviously venues are suffering even more at the moment. For us, we have been able to crack on and write new tunes but we feel very lucky to have been able to do so. Of course gigs are the big thing we’re all missing though.
Smudge: it’s bloody shit, but I’m very grateful for the time this year has given to write record songs but I just know the future is going to be incredible for the Arts industry.
Give us one fact each that no one knows about you....
Give us one fact each that no one knows about you....
Seamus: I have 3 matching tattoos with 3 ex-girlfriends. They may have covered it up though. Don’t blame them.
Smudge: I’m actually scared of music nah I have a fear of peas haha!
What’s the best/worst advice you ever received?
Seamus: Best advice would have to be “Don’t blow your load too early!” I’ll let your imagination dwell on that. Worst advice I ever received was an old mate advising me to sell my camera for an ounce of weed.
Seamus: Best advice would have to be “Don’t blow your load too early!” I’ll let your imagination dwell on that. Worst advice I ever received was an old mate advising me to sell my camera for an ounce of weed.
Smudge: Probably when Ru Paul says I need to lip sync for my life and telling me not to fuck it up at the end of Drag Race… best and worst advice in a nutshell.
What’s next? Plans for 2021?
Seamus: Gigs would be the main thing. It would be great to get people back in a room full of sweat as we’re all missing that. We already have a couple of seated shows lined up in the new year as well as plans for releasing new music.
Smudge: if we don’t play a string of shows by June, probably working on illegal artsy events to boost an underground creative arts empire. P.s. you’re welcome to join if you leave this bit out the interview
Check out the video for the latest single here: