Sunday, August 21, 2011

Violet Bones

Violet Bones is a rock band from Cambridge, England, who got into music at an early age.

 “I was brought up on the ’60s music my parents listened to, and the other guys were pretty much the same,” Si Dartford, lead singer and guitarist, said.

 The band got its start much like any other high school punk band, teaching itself along the way.

 “We started when we were teenagers, kicking out punk covers of bands we looked up to,” Dartford said. “We were lucky enough to be given gigs at pubs despite not being old enough to even be in there in the first place.

 “We have always played punk rock as a basis of our music,” Dartford said. “It’s what influenced us when we were starting out. Although we aren’t necessarily a punk band, we thrive when we are playing upbeat music. It’s thrilling to play live and can stir and provoke the crowd in a way other music can’t.”

 Originally called 9FoldPunch, the band decided to change its name to Violet Bones.

“We changed our name because we had grown up a lot since we started out as 9fold,” Dartford said. “Our sound had matured and our style was changing, so it was agreed that we found a name that reflected that. We got the name Violet Bones from when I went to visit my grandma in (the) hospital. There was an old lady in a bed opposite called ‘Violet Bone.’ It was around the time we were looking for a new name and I told the guys this story and we agreed that name had a good vibe. It felt right to us.”

Violet Bones’ music comes from what happens in its daily life.

 “Songs we write all come from different places. For instance, how we feel about the world, having love, not having love, the night before, the morning after,” Dartford said. “We want songs that are relevant, that mean something.”

The band’s recent single, “Villains,” is based off of their home town and how to handle diversity.

“The story behind Villains is about the town we live in. It can be quite small minded. If you look a bit different and have your own thing going on, people will always try and put you down because they can’t handle diversity. It’s about standing up to those people. It’s good to see at gigs people that get into it and understand and feel the same, for whatever reason,” Dartford said. “Every time that happens, we consider that a success.”

In the future, the band plans to finish recording and release its debut album later this year.

“We are currently recording our debut album, which is very exciting times for us. We have a good vibe about it,” Dartford said. “We’re starting to book up shows up and down the UK. So things are definitely getting a lot busier, with tours being planned in the not too distant future, too. There’s a lot (of) hard work to be done, and we don’t mind this…rolling our sleeves up and getting on with it…that’s what we are all about.”

“We are four best mates that have been through a lot together,” Dartford said. “We are a gang that have played all over the UK to lots of people and sometimes not so many. We have formed a close band with one another. We know we are better together playing music than doing anything else.”



http://blog.violetbones.com/




Where are you from originally and how did you get into music?

We are from Cambridge, England. We all got into music at different times, I (Si) was brought up on the 60s music my parents listened to, and the other guys were pretty much the same always had music around us growing up. It was in set into us from a young age onwards subliminally I guess.
 
How much education and formal music training have you had?
 
We are all pretty much self taught at our instruments, we all took music at high school, but other than that we have taught ourselves and each other over the years.
 
How and when did your band get its start?
 
We started when we were teenagers kicking out punk covers of bands we looked up to. We were lucky enough to be given gigs at pubs despite not being old enough to even be in there in the first place. But I think most people gave us shows out of sympathy......And we were cheaper than the usual bands they had!!!
 
How would you describe your music?
 
Our music is up-beat rock and roll with punky fringes with lyrics most people can relate to. It doesn’t alienate people, we like to think it brings people together. You can sing to it, you can dance to it. We are the band you want at your party.
 
I heard your band was called 9FoldPunch before. Why did you change to Violet Bones and what does the name mean to you?
 
We changed our name because we had grown up a lot since we started out as 9fold, our sound had matured and our style was changing, so it was agreed that we found a name that reflected that...We got the name Violet Bones from when I (Si) went to visit my Grandma in hospital. There was an old lady in a bed opposite called "Violet Bone" I thought it was the most interesting, beautiful name. It was around the time we were looking for a new name and I told the guys this story and we agreed that name had a good vibe, it felt right to us.
 
Have you always wanted to play punk/rock music or did you try other types of music?
 
We have always played punk rock as a basis of our music. It’s what influenced us when we were starting out. Although we aren’t necessarily a punk band, we thrive when we are playing up beat music. It’s thrilling to play live and can stir and provoke the crowd in a way other music cant.
 
 
Who are some of your influences? Have you been able to contact or play with them?
 
Our influences vary, we draw influences from bands like the Ramones and the Clash. We are loving bands like Mona and UK band Tribes at the moment who we have played with recently. We have also shared the stage with New York Dolls and Ash, which again are bands we look up to and take inspiration from. But in general we all listen to as many different types of music as you can think of, if it’s good, it’s good!
 
What has been the driving force of your band?
 
We are 4 best mates that have been through a lot together. We are a gang that have played all over the UK to lots of people and sometimes not so many. We have formed a close bond with one another. We know we are better together playing music than doing anything else. That’s our driving force.
 
How do you come up with the songs you write?
 
Songs we write all come from different places, for instance how we feel about the world, having love, not having love, the night before, the morning after. We want songs that are relevant, that mean something. Anything is an idea for a song to be honest, it’s just how you tell it.
 
What is the story behind your new single, “Villains” and how do you feel about its success?
 
The story behind Villains is about the town we live in. It can be quite small minded. If you look a bit different and have your own thing going on, people will always try and put you down because they can’t handle diversity. It’s about standing up to those people and saying f*** off. It’s good to see at gigs people that get into it and understand and feel the same, for whatever reason. Every time that happens, we consider that a success!
 
Where have you been able to perform and where would you like to go?
 
We have performed all over the UK, but want to get out on the road and hit it harder than ever, more shows, more fans more fun. We would like to venture further into Europe and the rest of the world from there. To be honest we will play anywhere if you book us!
 
What does the future look like for Violet Bones?
 
We are currently recording our debut album which is very exciting times for us, we have a good vibe about it and the energy in the recordings is incredible! We're starting to book up shows up and down the UK, with a view to release our album late 2011. So things are definitely getting a lot busier, with tours being planned in the not too distant future too. There's a lot hard work to be done, and we don't mind this... rolling our sleeves up and getting on with it... that’s what we are all about.
 
What would you like to say to your current and future fans?
 
I hope you enjoy the show. If you did? We will see you at the next one.
 
What do you guys do outside of music?
 
Outside of music we do the usual stuff guys our age do. Watch movies, hang out with friends, go to gigs.

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