Echotape is a fairly new band from the UK that has just released its sophomore full-length album. The guys are ready to take the next step in their career and they do not fool around. Grande Rock had a chat with the new vocalist Marc Burford about the new album, the band and various things that have to do with the band’s future and not only…
Hi Marc, I’m glad to have the chance to talk about your new album “Wicked Way”. It’s a very intriguing album with lots of great hooks. Kudos. Which were those incidents that urged you to form Echotape initially?
M: We all met each other at school and played in various bands for a few years. We then decided to do something with direction and more purpose which was Echotape!
Which are the main differences between your debut “Collective” and the new album “Wicked Way”?
M: Well for a start it’s a different vocalist on “Collective”, we had another singer who had a completely different style. Also the first album was produced by Youth from killing Joke and had more progressive sounding influences. “Wicked Way” was produced by our friend Undy Hunt, who lives with us in our home studio, recorded by us and is way more upbeat.
Did you have the band’s specific music style in mind from the very beginning or that came naturally along the way?
M: We knew that it had to be uplifting and from the heart. That was the only criteria really.
By the way, how would you describe the band’s music style in general?
M: Uplifting Indie Folk Rock n Roll!
This time you preferred to record & produce the album all by yourselves. Why’s that? Did you feel you wanted to have the full control of your work?
M: Yes, I think it can be great working with big producers but to be true to yourself you should do it yourself.
You released a few tracks a couple of years ago. Why did you do so? Was that a way to build your fanbase slowly but steadily and also a way to get a label deal?
M: We just wanted people to hear the tracks. The songs we released were so different from the last album we nearly changed the name of the band. We also attracted Labels that are still in talks with us now, and yeah also we raised the profile of the band with new people finding the songs online.
Which is the “Wicked Way”? What does the album title declare?
M: The lyric is from the last track on the album, “what a wicked way, what a wicked way we all live” – can be taken 2 ways… wicked=good or wicked=bad. You either have a good life or bad? It’s up to you to decide what one!
Do tell us a couple of things about each track…
M: “All My Days”: This was written at a party with no sleep for 2 days, songs about getting wasted.
“Whiskey Bar”: I hated it when it was released but has been one of our biggest hits. I love it now haha…
“Friend Like Me”: Looking after you good friends, always a good live one.
“Grams”: Another song about getting HIGH or DRUNK. There is a Trombone section at the end of the song.
“I Got You”: My friend got diagnosed with cancer, the verse lyrics are about being told the news.
“We’ve been Dreaming”: Only took 4 hours to write, record and mix the song. Pure magic…
“See You Soon”: Really fun live to play, my guitar is in a strange tuning, that I can never remember.
“Little White Lies”: Influenced by Fleetwood Mac, lyrics about lying to yourself.
“Pray”: Is there a god? What is it? Who is it?
“Soul”: My take on a gospel tune really like the melodies from gospel music.
“Wicked Way”: Took us 4 months to finish. The slide guitar part at start of song is played on a really cheap guitar but it sounded good so we left the demo sound in.
Do you plan to release any other video in the next months, and if yes for which track?
M: Could be “Friend Like Me” or “Little White Lies”…
The official album launch show was on July 28th 2016 in London. Are there any other live gigs in the pipeline too?
M: Should be heading out to Holland again in September and Russia at some point but no dates have been confirmed yet. We will be touring though for sure.
What are your expectations from “Wicked Way” and what do you wish to achieve with Echotape in the next years?
M: I think it’s a long journey! “Wicked Way” will help get us further up the ladder gain a few more fans and hopefully get us more noticed. My dream is main stage at Glastonbury festival.
Time for our “weird questions”!!! How did you come up with the name Echotape?
M: I used to have a cat called Echo. One day after a recording session using old vintage tape machines the cat jumped on to the desk and started playing (scratching) the tape(!) destroying the song we just recorded. We never got to hear it again. Thought we would call ourselves Echotape.
If you found a genie in a bottle and you only had 3 wishes what would they be?
M: 1. I’d ask for unlimited wishes, 2. No more suffering in the world, 3. Have invisible powers…
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
M: Fleetwood Mac “Rumours” just a massive fan of Linsey Buckingham…
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
M: “Ok Computer” by Radiohead… think his lyrics sum up the human race! Or Maybe a Bob Dylan record hmmm that’s quite hard.
Best pickup line that has worked for you several times in the past?
M: Do you know who am I?
Top 3 Action movies of any era?
M: Bourne Ultimatum, Saving Private Ryan, Fury…
What’s the worst thing one can say right after sex?
M: Is that it?
You have the opportunity to have sex with a movie celebrity/pornstar of your choice. Who would it be & why?
M: Kate Moss, I think she would party with you and be up for some fun!
Which are the best 3 Rock albums of all time according to you?
M: 1. Nirvana “Nevermind”, 2. The Doors Morrison “Hotel”, 3. Led Zeppelin “IV”…
Fill in the phrase… “Rock music wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
M: Kurt Cobain…
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
M: I’d go to the time before Humans existed to see the world before it was ruined by us!
Which character from the “Game of Thrones” would you be if you lived in the Seven Kingdoms?
M: I’ve never watched it! On the list to check out.
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
M: Divorce her!!!!
We’re done Marc! Thank you very much for taking the time to do this interview. Wish you the best for the new album. Take care dude!
M: No worries, thank you too…
M: We all met each other at school and played in various bands for a few years. We then decided to do something with direction and more purpose which was Echotape!
Which are the main differences between your debut “Collective” and the new album “Wicked Way”?
M: Well for a start it’s a different vocalist on “Collective”, we had another singer who had a completely different style. Also the first album was produced by Youth from killing Joke and had more progressive sounding influences. “Wicked Way” was produced by our friend Undy Hunt, who lives with us in our home studio, recorded by us and is way more upbeat.
Did you have the band’s specific music style in mind from the very beginning or that came naturally along the way?
M: We knew that it had to be uplifting and from the heart. That was the only criteria really.
By the way, how would you describe the band’s music style in general?
M: Uplifting Indie Folk Rock n Roll!
This time you preferred to record & produce the album all by yourselves. Why’s that? Did you feel you wanted to have the full control of your work?
M: Yes, I think it can be great working with big producers but to be true to yourself you should do it yourself.
You released a few tracks a couple of years ago. Why did you do so? Was that a way to build your fanbase slowly but steadily and also a way to get a label deal?
M: We just wanted people to hear the tracks. The songs we released were so different from the last album we nearly changed the name of the band. We also attracted Labels that are still in talks with us now, and yeah also we raised the profile of the band with new people finding the songs online.
Which is the “Wicked Way”? What does the album title declare?
M: The lyric is from the last track on the album, “what a wicked way, what a wicked way we all live” – can be taken 2 ways… wicked=good or wicked=bad. You either have a good life or bad? It’s up to you to decide what one!
Do tell us a couple of things about each track…
M: “All My Days”: This was written at a party with no sleep for 2 days, songs about getting wasted.
“Whiskey Bar”: I hated it when it was released but has been one of our biggest hits. I love it now haha…
“Friend Like Me”: Looking after you good friends, always a good live one.
“Grams”: Another song about getting HIGH or DRUNK. There is a Trombone section at the end of the song.
“I Got You”: My friend got diagnosed with cancer, the verse lyrics are about being told the news.
“We’ve been Dreaming”: Only took 4 hours to write, record and mix the song. Pure magic…
“See You Soon”: Really fun live to play, my guitar is in a strange tuning, that I can never remember.
“Little White Lies”: Influenced by Fleetwood Mac, lyrics about lying to yourself.
“Pray”: Is there a god? What is it? Who is it?
“Soul”: My take on a gospel tune really like the melodies from gospel music.
“Wicked Way”: Took us 4 months to finish. The slide guitar part at start of song is played on a really cheap guitar but it sounded good so we left the demo sound in.
Do you plan to release any other video in the next months, and if yes for which track?
M: Could be “Friend Like Me” or “Little White Lies”…
The official album launch show was on July 28th 2016 in London. Are there any other live gigs in the pipeline too?
M: Should be heading out to Holland again in September and Russia at some point but no dates have been confirmed yet. We will be touring though for sure.
What are your expectations from “Wicked Way” and what do you wish to achieve with Echotape in the next years?
M: I think it’s a long journey! “Wicked Way” will help get us further up the ladder gain a few more fans and hopefully get us more noticed. My dream is main stage at Glastonbury festival.
Time for our “weird questions”!!! How did you come up with the name Echotape?
M: I used to have a cat called Echo. One day after a recording session using old vintage tape machines the cat jumped on to the desk and started playing (scratching) the tape(!) destroying the song we just recorded. We never got to hear it again. Thought we would call ourselves Echotape.
If you found a genie in a bottle and you only had 3 wishes what would they be?
M: 1. I’d ask for unlimited wishes, 2. No more suffering in the world, 3. Have invisible powers…
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
M: Fleetwood Mac “Rumours” just a massive fan of Linsey Buckingham…
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
M: “Ok Computer” by Radiohead… think his lyrics sum up the human race! Or Maybe a Bob Dylan record hmmm that’s quite hard.
Best pickup line that has worked for you several times in the past?
M: Do you know who am I?
Top 3 Action movies of any era?
M: Bourne Ultimatum, Saving Private Ryan, Fury…
What’s the worst thing one can say right after sex?
M: Is that it?
You have the opportunity to have sex with a movie celebrity/pornstar of your choice. Who would it be & why?
M: Kate Moss, I think she would party with you and be up for some fun!
Which are the best 3 Rock albums of all time according to you?
M: 1. Nirvana “Nevermind”, 2. The Doors Morrison “Hotel”, 3. Led Zeppelin “IV”…
Fill in the phrase… “Rock music wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
M: Kurt Cobain…
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
M: I’d go to the time before Humans existed to see the world before it was ruined by us!
Which character from the “Game of Thrones” would you be if you lived in the Seven Kingdoms?
M: I’ve never watched it! On the list to check out.
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
M: Divorce her!!!!
We’re done Marc! Thank you very much for taking the time to do this interview. Wish you the best for the new album. Take care dude!
M: No worries, thank you too…