Belfast "doom-pop" act Cold Soviets aka John Bakewell has released his new single, Apocalypse Hour With June And Andy, from his debut album, Memories of Year Zero. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’ve wanted to write and perform music for as long as I remember, and though I’ve attempted to step away from that mission more than once, it has always drawn me back a short time later. Over time I’ve become less intense and obsessive about it, which has made the inevitable ebb and flow of creative inspiration easier to deal with.
The Internet is a mixed blessing, but if you can cut through the noise, the opportunities for learning and discovery are beyond anything we've seen in human history - articles, studies, books, music and movies are available on a whim, and you can find a mountain of learning materials covering nearly anything that interests you.
On the topic of learning, my two big areas of focus in recent years have been music theory and video editing.
How would you describe your music?
The intent behind Cold Soviets was to create alt rock music with a strong cinematic/soundtrack leaning. My formative years were spent in four-piece post-hardcore and post-grunge bands, and while that definitely feeds into the music, it’s been dialled back to a degree, giving way to a subtler sound more closely aligned with psychedelic rock which provides more dynamic and creative space.
Who are your musical inspirations?
My parents very kindly exposed me to The Beatles very early in life, and I knew Abbey Road, The Magical Mystery Tour and Sgt Pepper inside-out before I was 10. On the louder end of the market, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Slayer all loom large, although Converge are easily my all-time favourite when I’m in the mood for something blisteringly heavy, and I’ll happily listen to Deftones and QOTSA every day of the week.
What was the first gig you ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
The first major band I saw live was The Jesus and Mary Chain in the Mandela Hall, Belfast. It was a fairly amazing show - the entire audience seemed to be having a religious experience. Those guys had some impressively fanatical fans back in the day. I love watching gigs where the audience is engaged on that level. The first album I ever bought was Rubber Soul (on cassette!) - my dad was nudging me towards Revolver, but I liked the cover of Rubber Soul better. I didn't hear Revolver until years later.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Boyfeel by Destroy Boys has been at the top of the playlist this week, closely followed by Being a Girl by Mansun, an old favourite which it reminded me of.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Oh, the alcoholic afternoons, When we sat in your rooms, They meant more to me, Than any, than any living thing on earth" - These Things Take Tim by The Smiths.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cross The Breeze - Sonic Youth. After all these years it still rewires my brain a little every time I listen to it
Where can people find your music/more information?
I'm most active on Instagram.
Alan Corr
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