We caught up with Worcester based explosive musician ALEX RAINSFORD....
Please would you tell us a little bit about yourself and your music please Alex….
Hi Steve, As a musician my music and influences change constantly, and I’m always looking to approach a new project in a different way from the last. but right now i’d say my music is a blend of indie pop melodies with their roots coming from a folkier background. But Like I said, I find it hard to pin myself down to a genre as I’m always looking to change it up smile emoticon
You name Ben Howard, Bon Iver, Bombay Bicycle Club, Lucy Rose, Brother & Bones, Hudson Taylor, Stereophonics & Fleetwood Mac as influences, which band or artist would you say made you want to start a band in the first place?
Well, I first saw the Phonics when I was at high school & watching Kelly storm out with his shades on playing some killer tunes i thought, ‘yeah I wanna do that for a job’. so I guess it all sprung from their really. I started how most guys do, with a band at school!
What was the first ever record/CD that you bought?
Hmmm thats a tough on actually, as most of my early listening was from records brought by my parents. I had an old CD walkman, the kind that used to skip when you ran, remember? haha. I think, and I hate to admit it now haha, it might of been something like Guns And Roses. I always remember loving the into to 'welcome to the jungle'! #cringe haha.
You describe your music as ‘explosive’, can we expect pyrotechnics, flash bombs and strobe lighting at the next Loft Live Session where you’re supporting Hunter and the Bear?
Haha, unfortunately as much as i’d love that, I’m not quit there in terms of budget yet. But when I play Full band, there are moments where it can get really pumping, which I think surprises people when they think they’re coming to watch and acoustic guitar. For The Loft session gig though, we’re gonna fill the room with harmonies and play it all down, which I’m really looking forward too!!
Do you remember your first ever gig? Who was it and where was it?
My first ever gig was with my school band ‘The Peers’. We played the school battle of the bands & it was on the main assembly stage. We were all shitting it haha, but it was definitely the start of the music addiction for me.
You’ve supported bands like Hudson Taylor, Dry The River and Brother & Bones in the past, what did you learn from being on the road with them?
Professionalism. These guys can really play and they all graft their arse off! You only get out what you put in. And although some of these lads have a helping hand of a label now, they’ve worked dam hard to get there.
Which band or artist is ‘doing it’ for you in 2016?
I try and listen to as much music as possible, but being so busy I find it really hard to sit down and dedicate time to it like I used to when I was at college! haha. But I still try my best! I think a band that I absolutely admire & I think my brother will agree, 'Half Moon Run' are going to be the next big thing to hit our ears I think!
Ever had any ‘Spinal Tap’ style moments?
Haha yes, too many to mention in one take. I play a hell of a lot of pubs to pay the bills and keep the dream alive. So as you can imagine Iv met some characters & had some weird things happen. But having said that, I do love playing in pubs! You get a raw honesty playing in those types of places!! A no bullshit atmosphere.
What would you have as your epitaph on your gravestone (assuming you’re going to be buried…)?
Well I’d love a viking funeral, but apparently they're illegal, which is a shame… Haha I don’t know, something about never wasting an opportunity, I hate to see people do that.
The songwriting process can be a bit of a minefield, how do you approach it?
There’s no set pattern for me. I do most of my writing from my garden shed! haha. I turned it into a make shift studio a few years back & thats where we spend most of our time! haha. Songwriting is really what I want to do full time. For other people as well as myself. I enjoy writing commercial style songs with the intention of one day selling. But for my own material, I can never really rush it. I usually start with a phrase on an instrument & construct the song from there really.
You’re playing the Lechlade Music Festival this year, which other festivals are you playing? Which ones are you most looking forward to? Any overseas festivals lined up?
Yes, we’re looking forward to Lechlade! This year I decided to take a bit of a festival hiatus, haha. I wanted to spend the year re-branding and writing songs. So I only have a couple lined up after Lechlade. I have Valefest, the week after & Field View in August. But I’m hoping next year will be the big one! smile emoticon
You’ve just finished a meal, you don’t fancy spotted dick or profiteroles…..maybe something from the cheeseboard? (see how I shoehorned that one in?) which 3 cheeses would you opt for?
Anyone that likes cheese, is a legend in my books! Hmmm. I love Brie. Stilton and good old cheddar I think.
Desert island disc time - which 3 albums would you never tire from listening to?
Gregory Alan Isakov- This Empty Northern Hemisphere
Bahamas- Barchords
Fleetwod Mac- Rumours
Social Media is very much a part of everyone’s lives nowadays, which of the various channels assist you the most in getting your music out there?
I love instagram as it paints a picture of the moment instantly. But Facebook is a big one for me, I love doing the live stream stuff & that seems to gather a nice bit of banter and and fourth with everyone smile emoticon
What advice would you offer a budding singer songwriter just starting out on their journey?
Dream big, but don’t concentrate on the end goal. Happiness is the path & just enjoy one step at a time. (all of which I struggle to follow myself, but I’m trying!!!)
It’s festival season, what are YOUR top three tips to surviving one?
- Wet wipes- sounds gross,but a life saver in so many ways
- Breakfast bars!!- food is a killer on the wallet.
- And tarpaulin- here me out. If you get an awful downpour for like days! throw the tarpaulin over the top of your tent, to give it longevity and keep your shit DRY!!!
We felt that we had a real connection with Alex, he was doing RATHER too well for our liking, we considered setting him free at this stage but then my sadistic side kicked in and I decided that he should face the wrath of the quickfire questions..... The pressure was on, how would he cope, read on to find out!
Hot Tub or Sauna?
hot tub
Regular or diet Coca Cola?
Diet
Mac or PC?
Mac
Indoor or Outdoor gig?
Outdoor
Camping or Glamping?
Camping
Fry up or Sunday roast?
Sunday Roast
Cornetto or Magnum?
Magnum
Jack Nicholson or Christian Bale?
Jack Nicholson
God or Google?
Google
We'd like to thank Alex for taking the time to chat to us, we wish him every success and look forward to seeing him perform live at the Loft Live Session where he'll be supporting the legendary HUNTER & THE BEAR on June 7th, tickets are SOLD OUT for this event but check his social media channels below as I'm sure he'll be playing near you soon!
Social Media