Chris McCrory - Casual Sex (Q&A 27th February 2014)
Casual Sex hail from Glasgow and the four piece band’s line up is Sam Smith (vocals and guitar), Edward Wood (guitar), Peter Masson (bass) and Chris McCrory (drums).
In many quarters the band is being heralded as the next big thing. Their link with Moshi Moshi Records is certainly positive in that respect with the label’s track record with bands such as The Rakes, Florence And The Machine and Friendly Fires.
The band, who are writing their debut album at their own Green Door Studios in Glasgow, are set to follow up single ‘Stroh 80 / Soft School’ and ‘The Bastard Beat’ EP with their debut album later this year.
Casual Sex are playing a Please Please You promoted gig at The Basement, York on Thursday the 27th February 2014 as part of their maiden U.K./France headline tour. These dates are being played ahead of their return to the U.S.A. and a prestigious appearance at the SXSW industry get together in Austin, Texas after previously supporting Franz Ferdinand at sold out shows across North America.
Taking some time out ahead of the York gig Chris McCrory answered a few questions about the band:
How did the band form?
Casual Sex started to spill out of Sam's brain a few years ago in The Green Door Studio in Glasgow. He made some music and eventually put a band together around it. Me and Pete met Sam and Ed through our respective side projects recording at the Green Door, where Sam works. I was told he was looking for a drummer and was handed a demo CD. I liked what I heard and we started playing together. Things clicked, music was made and voila… Casual Sex!
What’s the story behind the band’s name?
Hmm, I'm not entirely sure. There are so many conflicting opinions and stories surrounding its inception. Either way, whatever the truth may be it's a good name - and it stuck!
Your catalogue of songs displays an intriguing mix of sounds and styles. Is this reflective of a diverse range of tastes and influences within the band?
Yeah, I've had a few people ask me after gigs what exactly did we all grow up listening to and it's impossible to answer simply. Our taste's are very, very varied but they certainly do intersect with certain artists and records.
What is your usual songwriting process?
We rehearse in our recording studio, so naturally this has a big influence on our writing process. We've had occasions where a song has been conceived, arranged and recorded in the space of several hours. However, we don't always work like this. We just do whatever works on the night!
Where does the inspiration for songs come from?
Again like our songwriting process, inspiration for tracks can come from anywhere with Casual Sex. They could be from personal experience or from a simple drum, guitar or bass part. I don't think rigidity in terms of process does creativity any sort of justice.
The internet has changed the landscape of the music industry and made it easier for bands and musicians to record and make their music available. Do you think this is a positive thing?
There are a lot of positives and a lot of negatives, you could argue that it has spread something already thin even thinner. We could all rant out books on this subject but it's certainly made things a lot easier in a practical sense.
How important is having an online presence for your band? How do use social media tools like Facebook and Twitter?
I think a social media presence is fairly essential for any band or business for that matter in operation nowadays. People (I) spend most of their (my) time endlessly and aimlessly scrolling through facebook and twitter. You may as well have them scroll onto you. As for how we use them, we update fairly regularly, using it as a platform to keep our fans and friends in the know.
You share your music on Spotify and Soundcloud. What do you think about online music sharing and giving music away free?
Personally, I think it's a necessary evil of the modern music industry. I think the value of music is being continually eroded by services like this. People put a lot of effort into making music and if it's any good, why shouldn't they be fairly rewarded? Sure, if you listen to something on Spotify - you aren't illegally downloading it, but you're not exactly buying the record either, and unless the artist is racking up thousands of plays they aren't being remunerated. On the other hand however, how else are people going to hear you? Everyone's kind of stuck with it. David Lowery (of Camper Van Beethoven) has some interesting things to say on the matter here -http://thetrichordist.com/2012/04/15/meet-the-new-boss-worse-than-the-old-boss-full-post/
In this digital online era it is interesting that you have released quite a few of your songs on vinyl. What is the thinking behind this?
We're all record collectors and borderline er, audiophiles. Putting a vinyl record on is a more pleasurable listening experience to us. Plus, it's certainly more collectible than an mp3.
How do you view touring and how is your current tour going?
Touring is always an exciting prospect for us and it's something we very much enjoy. It's an opportunity for us to travel, see new places, meet new people and of course, play our music! It's been going well so far, tour highlights have been Paris' Fleche D'or, Manchester's Fallow Café with our fellow Glaswegian friends, POST and Ramsgate Music Hall - which is quite possibly the best new small venue in the UK. They know how to treat bands.
Highlight(s) in music so far?
For us our major highlight so far was touring America and Canada with Franz Ferdinand. That was very, very special. The Casual Sex experience as a whole has been brilliant so far, we've been very lucky and we're all very grateful for everything that's happened!
Plans and ambitions for 2014 and beyond?
Well, once we finish this tour we jet off to America again for SXSW. After that we'll be back in the studio working on our next record before heading off on tour again throughout the UK, Europe and hopefully elsewhere. That's all I can tell you for now though. It's all very hush hush at the moment.
Casual Sex are currently on tour. Catch them live at one of the following dates:
Wednesday, 26 February - Harley, Sheffield
Thursday, 27 February - The Basement, York
Friday, 28 February - Electric Circus, Edinburgh
Tuesday, 4 March - Mono, Glasgow
Wednesday, 5 March - The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
Thursday, 6 March - Mad Hatters, Inverness
Keep up to date with band happenings at:
https://www.facebook.com/casualsexmusic
https://twitter.com/CasualSexBand
https://soundcloud.com/casual-sex
In many quarters the band is being heralded as the next big thing. Their link with Moshi Moshi Records is certainly positive in that respect with the label’s track record with bands such as The Rakes, Florence And The Machine and Friendly Fires.
The band, who are writing their debut album at their own Green Door Studios in Glasgow, are set to follow up single ‘Stroh 80 / Soft School’ and ‘The Bastard Beat’ EP with their debut album later this year.
Casual Sex are playing a Please Please You promoted gig at The Basement, York on Thursday the 27th February 2014 as part of their maiden U.K./France headline tour. These dates are being played ahead of their return to the U.S.A. and a prestigious appearance at the SXSW industry get together in Austin, Texas after previously supporting Franz Ferdinand at sold out shows across North America.
Taking some time out ahead of the York gig Chris McCrory answered a few questions about the band:
How did the band form?
Casual Sex started to spill out of Sam's brain a few years ago in The Green Door Studio in Glasgow. He made some music and eventually put a band together around it. Me and Pete met Sam and Ed through our respective side projects recording at the Green Door, where Sam works. I was told he was looking for a drummer and was handed a demo CD. I liked what I heard and we started playing together. Things clicked, music was made and voila… Casual Sex!
What’s the story behind the band’s name?
Hmm, I'm not entirely sure. There are so many conflicting opinions and stories surrounding its inception. Either way, whatever the truth may be it's a good name - and it stuck!
Your catalogue of songs displays an intriguing mix of sounds and styles. Is this reflective of a diverse range of tastes and influences within the band?
Yeah, I've had a few people ask me after gigs what exactly did we all grow up listening to and it's impossible to answer simply. Our taste's are very, very varied but they certainly do intersect with certain artists and records.
What is your usual songwriting process?
We rehearse in our recording studio, so naturally this has a big influence on our writing process. We've had occasions where a song has been conceived, arranged and recorded in the space of several hours. However, we don't always work like this. We just do whatever works on the night!
Where does the inspiration for songs come from?
Again like our songwriting process, inspiration for tracks can come from anywhere with Casual Sex. They could be from personal experience or from a simple drum, guitar or bass part. I don't think rigidity in terms of process does creativity any sort of justice.
The internet has changed the landscape of the music industry and made it easier for bands and musicians to record and make their music available. Do you think this is a positive thing?
There are a lot of positives and a lot of negatives, you could argue that it has spread something already thin even thinner. We could all rant out books on this subject but it's certainly made things a lot easier in a practical sense.
How important is having an online presence for your band? How do use social media tools like Facebook and Twitter?
I think a social media presence is fairly essential for any band or business for that matter in operation nowadays. People (I) spend most of their (my) time endlessly and aimlessly scrolling through facebook and twitter. You may as well have them scroll onto you. As for how we use them, we update fairly regularly, using it as a platform to keep our fans and friends in the know.
You share your music on Spotify and Soundcloud. What do you think about online music sharing and giving music away free?
Personally, I think it's a necessary evil of the modern music industry. I think the value of music is being continually eroded by services like this. People put a lot of effort into making music and if it's any good, why shouldn't they be fairly rewarded? Sure, if you listen to something on Spotify - you aren't illegally downloading it, but you're not exactly buying the record either, and unless the artist is racking up thousands of plays they aren't being remunerated. On the other hand however, how else are people going to hear you? Everyone's kind of stuck with it. David Lowery (of Camper Van Beethoven) has some interesting things to say on the matter here -http://thetrichordist.com/2012/04/15/meet-the-new-boss-worse-than-the-old-boss-full-post/
In this digital online era it is interesting that you have released quite a few of your songs on vinyl. What is the thinking behind this?
We're all record collectors and borderline er, audiophiles. Putting a vinyl record on is a more pleasurable listening experience to us. Plus, it's certainly more collectible than an mp3.
How do you view touring and how is your current tour going?
Touring is always an exciting prospect for us and it's something we very much enjoy. It's an opportunity for us to travel, see new places, meet new people and of course, play our music! It's been going well so far, tour highlights have been Paris' Fleche D'or, Manchester's Fallow Café with our fellow Glaswegian friends, POST and Ramsgate Music Hall - which is quite possibly the best new small venue in the UK. They know how to treat bands.
Highlight(s) in music so far?
For us our major highlight so far was touring America and Canada with Franz Ferdinand. That was very, very special. The Casual Sex experience as a whole has been brilliant so far, we've been very lucky and we're all very grateful for everything that's happened!
Plans and ambitions for 2014 and beyond?
Well, once we finish this tour we jet off to America again for SXSW. After that we'll be back in the studio working on our next record before heading off on tour again throughout the UK, Europe and hopefully elsewhere. That's all I can tell you for now though. It's all very hush hush at the moment.
Casual Sex are currently on tour. Catch them live at one of the following dates:
Wednesday, 26 February - Harley, Sheffield
Thursday, 27 February - The Basement, York
Friday, 28 February - Electric Circus, Edinburgh
Tuesday, 4 March - Mono, Glasgow
Wednesday, 5 March - The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
Thursday, 6 March - Mad Hatters, Inverness
Keep up to date with band happenings at:
https://www.facebook.com/casualsexmusic
https://twitter.com/CasualSexBand
https://soundcloud.com/casual-sex