TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM/ PROJECT?
We are currently putting the finishing touches on our debut album and hopefully it will be finished in a couple of weeks. We are hoping to release the album in the Autumn at an album release show, venue yet to be decided.
It’s a collection of songs that have matured while we solidified the band and built our studio. It’s quite an eclectic mix with many influences. We don’t like to label ourselves, and play whatever floats our boat, so there’s always something interesting, and often surprising, going on!
WHAT INSPIRED ANY CENTRAL THEMES ON THE ALBUM?
The album is an eclectic mix of songs with no real central theme other than the songs are genuine and reflect the world around us. A song is normally inspired by an event, a feeling or just hearing something good. We then work on it and mould it until we are happy, then we play it and play it until it finds its own ‘groove’ and it feels complete. As a band we are very sensitive to the feel and quality of sound and we would rather not play a song than put something out there that we’re not happy with.
HOW LONG DID YOU SPEND RECORDING?
We’ve spent about 6 months in total recording the album. We are lucky in that we have our own, purpose built, studio so we don’t have to “clock watch” or worry about cost. This gives us the luxury of being able to spend as much time as we need to get recordings right.
HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT THE SONGWRITING PROCESS?
We tend to write individually and then bring what we have to the table and see if it works and develop it together. Ideas for lyrics come from all aspects of life; thoughts, feelings, conversation, inspiring films or books, nature and just being alive. A lot of the time they are formulated around an attempt to get either a message, feeling or concept across to the listener, exorcising some deep inner desire or concept and then other times, they are just about being crazy, free and having fun!
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE TRACK FROM THE ALBUM?
Not really. Like all music your favourite song can change depending on your mood, situation and environment. We love all the songs on the album and have worked very hard to make sure there is no filler!
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
Mark: The Stranglers, The Clash, Dead Kennedys, New Model Army, Bob Marley, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Steve Harley.
Dave: Jimi Hendrix, Nick Cave, Rage Against The Machine, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, The Clash, Bowie.
Jack: New York Dolls and The Pink Fairies.
HOW DID YOU FORM THE BAND?
Originally formed in 2014, the band went through a few incarnations until 2017, when Jack joined Dave. We then started looking for a bass player and after a couple of initial possibilities we were contacted by Mark Briscoe at the end of 2017. His experience, ability and musical knowledge have enhanced Broken Lines and together we are reaching new and exciting levels of creativity and sound
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE STARTING OUT?
Keep at it. It’s a long, hard road but the rewards are huge. Be honest and true to yourself, do your “apprenticeship” on the road. Understand that, regardless of your experience and talent, you can always learn more.
WHAT IS NEXT?
The sky's the limit really! All three of us are totally committed to Broken Lines, and we have the experience and skill to move forward, creating new milestones along the way. We want people to feel the way we do about our music and enjoy the Broken Lines experience.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD
Yep, come and see us play live. You won’t find a trio that makes a bigger noise anywhere!