INTRODUCING KINROSS BASED 6 PIECE BAND SIENNA....
Sienna are a 6 piece band from Kinross (Scotland) who are making a huge name for themselves supporting the likes of Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott and Scouting for Girls, we caught up with the guys at a 'Fanclub Only' Boyzone gig in Glasgow where they were excited to see the old hits being knocked out, just for them (and a few 40 something hanger inners....Just as the Irish quartet (formerly quintet RIP S. Gately) took to the stage, we asked Sienna a bunch of questions, here's how we got on....
Welcome to the Musicmuso Introducing feature, often referred to as ‘The Theatre of Dreams’…..please tell us about your band
To be honest I don't know exactly how we got together properly, none of us were really friends even though we all went to the same school. Ross, Andy and I initially started playing together and added Ben, Ian and Calum to finally make Sienna. We all live in different cities but so far so good in terms of practices and recording. We've released our EP, Give Me Your Love and our latest single is Wandering star. We are about to record some demos leading to a second EP and an album, but with over 200 songs to choose from it's proving to be a long process. By the end of 2015 everyone will know Sienna. You can hold me to that.
Give me 3 words that best describe you as a band?
Distinct; Energetic; Adventurous
What is the best advice you ever received and who was it from?
As cheesy and run of the mill as it sounds it has to be from my parents. I was brought up being taught that I could do anything I wanted as long as I put the work in. That's essentially what I'm still doing now.
Being a Scottish based band, do you get many opportunities to play South of the border to spread your word?
We seem to go down really well 'down south'. We've had some great gigs with This Feeling playing with James and (separate occasions) Ian skelly in London. We are just back from Liverpool where we headlined Studio 2 as part of the SoundCity festival. We try to go south of the border as much as possible, if anything we love an excuse for a road trip.
How have social media platforms helped to get you noticed?
It's allowed us to share our music with fans around the world in a way that just wouldn't be possible otherwise. It's really helped us build a fan base in places that we've never even played such as Italy and the USA.
Give me a fascinating fact about one of the band members….
Our drummer Calum also plays touch rugby for Scotland, it's not quite fascinating but people never expect anyone in a band to be sporty. However, we make up for that.
What was the first song you ever learned to play?
I honestly can't remember. Not a clue! I remember getting a Bob Dylan manuscript but I can't read music so I think I just played my own uniquely awful version back then. I remember murdering Blowin' in the Wind a good few times early on.
Describe one of your live shows….
It's just full of energy. The bands went through a real transition of late where we changed our approach to gigs. Basically I realised that If I go to a gig I want to dance, so we give the people what they want!
Any albums in your collection that you possibly regret buying?
Now 63, wasn't up to the standard of the previous Now 62!
Do you think that ‘physical’ music (CD/Vinyl) will exist in 20 years time? Explain…
It will, there's nothing better than having the CD or the record. There has been a real record revival of late, which I love especially with Record Store Day growing in popularity.
If you could describe your music in the form of a fictional character, who would it be?
Rasta Mouse. Ha nah I've no idea I'm shocking at these kind of questions.
You played at ‘T in the Park’ in 2013, any plans to do the same this year?
Last year was great especially seeing they had to send for the 'Tent Full' signs whilst we were playing. Think it's only fair they ask us back. We've come on ten fold since last year and gained a lot more support along the way from fans and radio stations. Don't want our local festival to miss out!
Who would you like to know has your music on their iPod/MP3 player/cassette walkman?
Pfft that's a good one. Obama, that'd be pretty cool. Just sitting in the Oval Office spinning some Sienna. Yeah, Obama.
What classic song would you have liked to have recorded and why?
Eleanor Rigby. I remember the first time I heard that song. So spooky and dramatic. I can't believe it's only strings on the recording, mesmerising.
Which 3 albums would you take to a desert island?
The Beatles - White Album
Bob Marley - African Herbsman
Paul Simon - Graceland
What was the first ever gig you went to?
Haha! Boyzone supported by Atomic Kitten... Rock n roll, I should really think up something better for this.
Would you rather fight 1 dinosaur sized chicken or 10 chicken sized dinosaurs?
Dinosaur sized chicken then take it to Nandos. That's got to be the plan there.
Your latest offering ‘Wandering Star’ sounds like it could have been written back in 1950’s middle America, what’s they story behind the track?
It was really just a bit of fun. We were in the studio trying to get some stuff down. It was getting late so we decided to take a break, our engineer, Robin Wynn Evans, shouted jokingly to try it in a reggae style so we did. Ha I love it . So chilled and summery exactly what you want at the start of the year. As for the meaning of the song? Just that shits always going to happen to you, suck it up, prove them wrong.
What are your plans for the remainder of 2014?
We have been gigging pretty extensively of late. Supporting Paul Heaton and Scouting for Girls at the end of this month. Lots of festivals and getting out second EP ready. We've already started to demo but going through around 200 songs takes time.
The gig was going well until Ronan decided that it was time for him to sing 'Love is a Rollercoaster' which is clearly not a BZ track, the 2 members that nobody can remember looked pissed off, Shane had fire in his eyes, before a riot ensued on the stage, we jumped in with some quick fire questions before getting the hell outta there!
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Coke or Pepsi? Coke
Drum machine or the real deal? Real deal
Mac or PC? Mac
Pussycat Dolls or The Spice Girls? The Spice Girls, I'm a 90s kid though ha
Ice Cream or Candy Floss? Ice cream
Fry up or Sunday roast? Sunday roast
Lemmy (Motorhead) or Ozzy (Black Sabbath)? Ozzy every time!
CD or Vinyl? Vinyl
Car or Motorbike? Car
Acoustic or electric? Acoustic
Shower or Bath? Shower
BBQ or Sit down dinner? Sit down dinner
Tattoos or Piercings? Tattoos
Camping or Glamping? Camping
Robert De Niro or Al Pacino? Al Pacino
God or Google? Google
SOCIAL MEDIA
FORTHCOMING LIVE DATES
21 May Glasgow, O2 ABC * Supporting Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott
23 May Glasgow, King Tut’s
30 May Perth, Concert Hall *Supporting Scouting For Girls
14 June Eden Festival
19 July Hebridean Celtic Festival
14 Sep Bath, Smoked & Uncut
Musicmuso would like to thank the band for taking time out of their hectic scheduled to answer our questions, we wish them every success in the future and look forward to catching them live the next time they are in the deep dark depths of the Southwest of England (we don't get too many visitors down ere' see !). Future newsworthy items will be posted as and when they're received.
Interview by Steve Muscutt