With the world in lockdown and gigs coming to a halt, except for broadband-dependent live shows, we thought we'd keep both our favourite artists and their fans entertained with a series of interviews.
You'll soon learn everything from their supermarket of choice to favourite pick 'n' mix and of course some hard-hitting music journalisms inbetween.
Leaving Bordeaux
First up are Glasgow newcomers, Leaving Bordeaux, who excel in power chords and beefy riffs...
Q1. What’s the Leaving Bordeux origin story?
(Jamie) - We formed in the spring of 2019 Darren, Caleb & myself had a project that was on the go but we wanted something that was more solid so I thought about adding in louis whom I had played with for about a year and a half in a previous band and then we added Alex in who I work with.
I got wind of his music tastes and what he plays and I took a chance by asking him to join and well a year later here we all are!
Q2. Describe each member of the band in three words?
Louis – Caring, Funny & French Alex - Funny, Talented & Sound Darren – Witty, stylish & Amazing Caleb - Chilled, Caring , Groovy Jamie - Determined, Honest & total perfectionist
Q3. If you could be in any other band, which would it be and which instrument would you want to play?
(Jamie) – Hmmm, I'd say the Rolling Stones, playing guitar!
Q4. Who's your favourite Scottish artist at the moment?
(Alex) – Catholic Action their new album is amazing
Q5. Which track do you currently have on heavy repeat?
(Darren) - I currently have been playing “me and your mama” by Childish Gambino on repeat
6.) Your latest single, 'Adrenaline'? is all high energy and power chords - how did this song develop over time to become the final track?
(Darren)- Over time there wasn’t many developments to the track at least structurally which was set out in the first hour or so. The main changes would’ve probably come in the chorus with the power chords being added to give it a lift and the vocal melody on the chorus changed, other than that there weren’t many overall changes to the song. There was also the added bitchin synth solo at the end!
Q7. Your favourite live music venue?
(Alex) Barrowlands!
Q8. Ever been star struck when meeting or playing with other bands?
(Caleb) - All the time, I'm a fan of music first and hearing what the other bands in our scene have to offer is awesome.
Q9 Scariest gig experience?
(Caleb) - It would have to be a gig last year where I had partied for 2 days straight unintentionally leading up to the event and played the gig feeling pretty hungover
Q10.What would you change about the music industry?
(Louis) – I would change how difficult it is to break into the scene. I feel like there are a lot of great bands that don’t get enough exposure. So I would try and change that.
Q11. What's the first thing you'll do post lockdown?
I’Il go straight to the pub, missing the fresh pints and the chat.
Q12. With everyone now at home, what are you top tips to avoid waves of boredom?
(Darren) - Firstly to avoid waves of boredom follow Leaving Bordeaux on Spotify and stream ‘Caught Out Cold’ and 'Adrenaline'.
But other than that, just do any hobbies that you have or take up a new hobby, watch tv but don’t do bore yourself of the same thing, change what you’re doing to keep it fresh
Quick-fire Round!
Q1. Aldi or Lidl?
Jamie – Aldi only because their beer section is great! Darren- Lidl
Alex - Lidl
Caleb – Neither
Louis – Lidl, I go in for bread and I come out with 3 BBQ’s a 9 pack of garden shovels and weapons grade lawnmower
Q2. Favourite sweet from Pick 'n' Mix?
Jamie – lickerish allsorts
Louis – Rubarb & Custard
Darren - Strawberry things
Alex – That strawberry circle thing
Caleb – Not really a sweet person
Q3. Do you sing in the shower?
Jamie – Yes, Pray by Take That... I can do the full dance routine too (Thanks mum)
Louis – It’s not a shower if you don’t sing in it my favourite song is “don’t go breaking my heart” by Elton john... I'm good at both parts
Darren - I don’t sing.
Alex – All the time, anything that’s on my mind. Caleb – Yeah been singing dinosaur Jr and Noble Soldier by The Murlocks recently.
Q4. Are Avocados strictly for Hipsters?
Jamie - Meh, anything that people put on their face and also put in their mouth just isn’t for me. Louis – Yes, they taste like soap and anyone who says otherwise is lying! Darren- Avocados are awful Alex – No! It’s a superfruit. Caleb – Probably not
Q5. You host a dinner night but can only invite 3 late but great musicians guests. Who are they?
Jamie - James Hetfield, Verka Serduchka (Look her up you won’t be sorry) & Harry Styles. Louis - Phill Lynott, Jimi Hendrix, Levon Helm Darren- Jimi Hendrix, Hilel Slovak, MJ Alex – George Harrison, Elvis, David Bowie. Caleb – Phill Lynott, Kurt Cobain, Rory Gallagher.
Q6. Can you remember what the original Irn-Bru used to taste like?
Jamie – It’s like louis ex-girlfriend, I really miss it Louis – No it saddens me, I really miss it. Darren - Not a clue Alex – it’s a distant memory but I do like the 1901 stuff Caleb - Yeah the new stuff isn’t the same. The thought of the old stuff makes you froth at the mouth.
Q7. Buckfast, dragon soop or MD20/20?
Jamie – A Big juicy tennents Louis – soop
Darren - Everyone of these are shit.
Alex – Dug!!
Caleb - soop
Leaving Bordeaux recently released their second single, Adernaline, a direct and personal glimpse into battling uncontrollable addictive tendencies, emotional dependency and desire. Oh, and it's packed with huge riffs with an insanely hooky chorus. Get involved!