Dublin alt-rock band Joe Maxi have released their new single Butterfly, with their EP, The Game, n 22 November. We asked vocalist and guitarist Mikey Flower the BIG questions . . .
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Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I grew up playing football and wanted to try make it as a professional. I slowly learned that a life in music could be more fulfilling and hung up the boots and picked up a guitar fairly quickly after. I stopped playing when I was 17 years old and started religiously writing music. I run live events in Ireland for an independent promotions company called Skyrocket Promotions. I'm 21 years old, I’m born and bred in Clondalkin in Dublin, I like Jalapeños and spicy food.
How would you describe your music?
I would describe the sound of our music as quite dynamic and energetic through hints of punk, psychedelic, prog, alternative and noise-rock influences. Each member of the band brings variety to the songwriting process, each of us all have different influences which complement each other to create a unique sound.
Who are your musical inspirations?
My favourite band of all time are Pixies. They are the reason why I picked up a guitar, after listening to their albums Doolittle, Surfer Rosa or Come on Pilgrim. I listened to tracks like Vamos and Isla de Encanta and they blew me away, I was obsessed right from the get-go, they lit a fuse in me and I immediately started writing music. I’m also a big Paul Weller fan, from Down in The Tube at Midnight, during his The Jam era. Also, Long Hot Summer from The Style council days was a big influence. My favourite band right now are Stratford Rise, an experimental/noise-rock band from Bangor. Myself and the rest of the band are huge fans of Black MIDI, thanks to Lee Reddy, our guitarist, he showed us the band when we first started jamming together.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Damien Dempsey - Live at Iveagh Gardens, Dublin. I’m a huge Damo fan, I got to meet him once in Temple Bar. I would love to collab with him one day, he’s someone I have a massive amount of respect for. I used to run around my house as a kid singing one of his songs Serious with my Dad.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Doolittle by Pixies.
What’s your favourite song right now?
World’s Fair by Stratford Rise.
Favourite lyric of all time?
My one favourite lyric of my own is: "In this cold word of code, where pixels do unfold, a digital tapestry, no more stories to be told". My favourite lyric comes from Soft Rain by Damien Dempsey: "Powders and potions to forget regret, The Liffey cuts the a meandering blue vein, Ancient poetry echoes and soft rain down the lanes."
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Nimrod's Son by Pixies.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Our new single. Butterfly is out now.
Alan Corr
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