ME: You guys just changed your name and came out with a brand new song. Does this feel like a new start for you in a positive (or negative) way? CAGES: It was difficult at the start, we were pretty down about it but overall it’s been a chance to reimagine the band which we think has been really positive. It was amazing and uplifting to see the support from everyone we had while still sorting things out with the name.
M: With Parma Violets, what has the response been like for you guys?
C: We’ve had a really great response, especially considering the name change; so much support over the six months even with nothing on Spotify too. We’re excited to see what happens with the next release and what’s to come.
M: In a band I’m sure there are a lot of ups and downs. What are your favourite ups?
C :The ups, we’d all say, is the gigging. The feeling you get onstage, particularly with a headline like the one in Birmingham in February, is insane. Seeing people sing along and the buzz you get from a crowd is the best bit of being in a band. There’s also such a music community in Birmingham which you really feel a part of and are like a massive family.
M: And what about your downs?
C :The past few months have been difficult. It was hard to find new ways to go about writing and rehearsal at the start but eventually we got the hang of things. We just really want to get back to our favourite venues and a mosh pit soon.
M: When it comes to writing songs in bands, I’m always intrigued to find out if everyone writes or if a few do. With you, is it fairly balanced in who writes the lyrics?
C: Lyrics are written by Arthur and Edie with a little input from Leo and Reu too. Leo writes the riffs and we put it all together in rehearsal: music and melody first and then lyrics on top.
M: You have a song coming out this month too. 2020 has been quite rough for everyone but I can’t imagine how thrilling all these releases must be for you guys. Has this year actually helped you in terms of progress in music?
C :It feels so good to be getting music out there again and we’re working our way up to having a more defined style which has really taken shape over the lockdown. The songs coming out in the upcoming months are different to what we’re writing at the moment but by no means bad! I think the break and the name change have given us a chance to try new things and definitely progress. We’re all just so relieved to have stuff online again and that it’s had a great response.
M: I know you’re releasing singles at the moment but is there any chance that there may be an EP or even an album in the works?
C :😉😉!!
M: With covers for your singles, what is it you want someone to feel or see when they first come upon it?
C :We love a quite chaotic cover for our music, things have to be exciting and enticing for listeners so that the songs do the same - sometimes we have to pull back a bit! We like a colour theme too and all our songs have their assigned colour.
M: You guys have thousands of followers on Instagram. Is it crazy to think so many people follow you for content and to keep up with you all?
C: It really is crazy! It’s great to see people keeping up with what’s going on the socials and on Spotify, Instagram is definitely our biggest marketing platform and so we can news out to people but also connect with followers there. We’re not amazing at Facebook or Twitter yet but we’re getting better.
M:Finally, I like to end on a fun one. If you could go by the name of any old band, which would it be? C: Well...if we couldn’t FLARES back, we’d probably choose ABBA because of Leo’s Swedish roots!
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