PROJEKT
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 20th May 2010.
London based band Projekt - Rob, Biff, Parry and Tom - have a new single out and an extensive touring schedule lined up.
We caught up with front man Rob to find out more...
Hi Rob, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Rob: Yeah, good thanks. Just enjoying the gigs and and being in Projekt!
Could you tell us how the various members of Projekt got together, and how you ended up in London?
Rob: Biff (drums) and Parry (guitar) knew each other from Leeds and moved down here together. I had been down in London for about 8 years at the point of replying to an internet ad from the two of them. At the time I was gigging alone with an acoustic guitar.
They came to watch me and obviously liked what they saw!! We started jamming, just the three of us, for a month or two, then Tom came on board through a friend of Biff and Parry's. Projekt was born!
Where did the band’s name come from?
Rob: We were throwing names around and Tom texted us something about 'Projekt of Light'. The word 'Projekt' really stood out for us. Of course, there are millions of German or European bands or festivals with the word Projekt in, but we're the best so rightfully deserve the moniker!
When you got together, did you know what sort of music you wanted to make straight away...or has your vibe developed over time?
Rob: We all have a common ground of liking bands such as The Beatles, Stones, The Doors etc. We started off pretty much as a straight guitar band with limited effects. I think the Projekt sound has come a long way since then. Some of our songs like 'Monsoon Love', 'Rocket Science' and 'Projekt Music' are monsters. And 'Desert Storm', 'The Compass' and 'Ocean Passage' aren't band either!! I think all great bands don't sit down and say 'Right lets make this sort of music'. Music is all about freedom, especially rock'n'roll. It's all about capturing that moment in time and creating something which makes you feel completely alive. I think our sound has grown naturally as we have shared experiences and gown together as friends as well as a band.
Who or what would you list as your personal influences?
Rob: Mushy peas, lots of beer, whisky, sambucca, gin, women and shumpers.
How would you describe your musical style to someone who hadn’t heard you before?
Rob: I'd say we're a dirty, dancey beast of a rock'n'roll band.
When did you start work on new album ‘The Compass’, and how long did it take to complete?
Rob: Actually, it's just a single. We'd love to record an album but a lack of money and time are major barriers. I think when the time comes, we'll have to be 100% happy that we have a family of songs that are gonna blow people away. A debut album to stand up with the greatest. We're almost there in my opinion. I reckon we need about 4 more gems and we've got dynamite in our pants.
We recorded and mixed 'The Compass' in two days, which was quite intense as there's a lot going on in there. I don't think there's anything like it out there at the moment. We recorded the b-side 'Heroes and Villains' in our mates house just on a mac.
Is there a concept or story behind the lyrics?
Rob: I think lyrics are massively important, there's a lot of nonsense being written. I'm not one of these writers that write 'I met her in MacDonald's buying chicken nuggets' I like to give people something to think about and fantasise, I can write about something but no one would ever know I'm writing about that specific thing, it's always good to have the listener make up their own mind. It's a two way street just like any friendship or relationship. I suppose there is a recurring mention of compasses and maps in our songs. I think the overall message is that sometimes you can feel a little lost, and someone or something can change that. Life and music are a journey, if you don't have some form of compass or map then well, your gonna end up in Coventry!
Is there one main creative force in the band, or do you all contribute? Talk us through the construction of a typical song...
Rob: The beauty of Projekt is that we write as a 4 piece, Biff could come out with a beat then Parry might layer some guitar whilst Tom will bang some bass down. Then I'll just rap over it until I find a melody and words that turn it into an anthem!
Sometimes we just jam for ages and a little segment of that jam might stand out and we'll work around that. Other times, Tom or Parry might come in and start playing something and then we all just join in. We really take our time writing the songs, we like to keep things interesting so the song just like any great story or novel has a beginning, middle and end. The old verse-chorus middle eight scenario is old hat, even though we are guilty of using it from time to time. A typical Projekt song will end completely different from the beginning.
Do you use any special techniques to get your sound?
Rob: Tom and Parry have an array of peddles which they delve into. Me and Biff are just using our god given talents! Ha!
Are you Pro-tools junkies, or do you prefer a more retro recording style?
Rob: To be honest, the technological side of music is something I personally need to educate myself on. I know the other lads are a lot more clued up than me. Personally I'd prefer to record old school, I like hearing the fingers on the strings and leaving bits of talking in. A lot more real. You listen to 'Freewheelin' by Dylan, you can close your eyes and imagine he's in the room with you. It sounds that real. That's something I'd really like to capture. On the other hand, it's always healthy to embrace technology and the toys we have at our disposal. Why not use them! All great bands have pushed things forward, The Beatles, Floyd, Beach Boys, Radiohead.
Who came up with the title, and what’s the meaning behind it?
Rob: Well as the singer I wouldn't feel comfortable singing anyone else's words, so I take care of that side. As I mentioned earlier, the nautical theme plays it's part in the Projekt sound. It doesn't mean one specific thing really, it can mean anything to anyone.
I find it really boring when you watch on TV or read in a magazine some singer from a band who says something like 'Well, the song's all about this dream I had, or it's all about this girl I used to fancy' Boring!! Jesus, there's many things to write about on this planet. Some of them good, some of them bad.
Was the title there from the start as inspiration, or did it only appear during the writing?
Rob: I think it came with the chorus if I remember correctly. When we first wrote it, the chorus was just 'aahs.' Which I wasn't really happy about, so eventually I came up with lines for the chorus. Sometimes I'll think of the title before the song is written, the next Projekt song we write will be called 'High Spirits' and I have no idea of how it will sound. I just think it's a great song title. Titles are important. U2 have good song titles.
Are you proud of your own work, or do you tend to be self-critical?
Rob: We're very proud of the single, it sounds fresh and original and is a great song. It's got some of the best lyrics written in years and is great song to run or exercise to. Not that I do much of that you understand! We're critical as individuals and critical as a band. When we write we don't just settle for the first option. We like to push ourselves, that's the only way you can improve really
Do you have any favourite moments?
Rob: There's two particular moments on 'The Compass' which stand out for me personally. The first is the interlude guitar after the first chorus which leads into the line 'All I see is black, all I see is black'. That to me is powerful. Really powerful.
The other is the breakdown part after the second chorus. It's just genius the way the strings come in and it builds and builds with 'I want it Electro' over the top. You can imagine that at Glastonbury!! I also think the drums on the song are just mega, really driving and constant with a lot going on, especially in the outro parts.
Did you enjoy your time in the studio, or do prefer getting on the stage?
Rob: I much prefer gigs to be honest, there's a lot of sitting around in the studio, even though you can have a good laugh with the lads I much prefer the gigs. The bigger the better really.
What should fans expect from a Projekt live show? Do you try to stay faithful to your recordings, or do you rock it up for the stage?
Rob: You can expect lots of sweat, lots of energy and probably the best unsigned band out there. I've seen a good few bands on our travels but none that can match our sheer intensity and rock'n'roll spirit. I suppose what's holding us back is that we don't follow any trends, we like to have a wash and like to play music the way we like it, not because NME think it's cool.
The London music scene is quite dire to be honest, it's driven by greedy promoters who like to rip off unsigned bands like ourselves. Expecting you to bring 35 people to a gig on a cold Tuesday night in January when the football's on the telly and charge £6 each on the door, for which you get £1 per person once 30 people have paid in. So in that scenario the promoter would make £150 and we'd make £30 between the 4 of us!! Bollocks!!
If I was in a band from out of London, I would stay where you are and just build a fan base there. A lot easier. I would like to add that not all promoters are like that but most of them are.
Any plans to create a video for one of the tracks?
Rob: We do have a video for 'Ocean Passage', which was shot by a young lad called Matthew Scott. Keep an eye out for the name. He's only 16/17 and shot it on a camcorder.
We're in the process of making 'The Compass' video at the moment.
Where do you see Projekt heading now? Is it all about promotion at present?
Rob: I see us playing bigger and better gigs, we're playing 02 Shepherds Bush Empire on the 16th May supporting Pennywise. We've played the London scene; Dublin Castle, Monto, Proud, O2 Academy, Cafe de Paris, 93 Feet East as well as The Cavern Club in Liverpool and The Box in Glasgow, Lennons in Southampton etc. etc..
We've played over 70 gigs since Feb 2009 despite all working full time. Now we need to get to Koko and the like. Playing Shepherds Bush is massively exciting! We'll continue the promotion campaign with our next single. I think it's important that a band gig all the time, it's the only way to cement that trust and rock solid foundation. What's bread without yeast? Or a pie without it's crust?
Do you see yourself riding the wave of this release and getting straight back in the studio to create another...or do you think you’ll wait a while?
Rob: We like to ride waves but we want to create a whirlpool, a tidal wave; so there's no time to waste. We're back in the studio in June recording the next single, we have the luxury of having a collection of songs which could be potential singles. Playing gigs is the best way to get feedback on what are crowd favourites.
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
Rob: Favourite food. Mince, dumplings, loads of mash and loads of gravy with a couple of slices of bread 'n' butter to mop up.
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Rob: It's the final day of the season so I shall be in the pub watching the action unfold hoping Wigan do Chelsea!
Anything else you would like to mention?
Rob: Check out or websites... http://www.myspace.com/projektnorth or http://www.projektmusic.com/.
Cheers mate!!
Thanks again to Rob for his time. Make sure you check out the new Projekt single, and keep an out out for tour dates!
