Interview: Good Time Locomotive (Written)

Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life bring you an interview with new wave pop rock band, Good Time Locomotive.

1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.

Myself and George (the original guitarist) have been musical friends for 15 years or so. I always thought he wrote really distinct, emotionally rich music so, when I had the opportunity in life to do music with him in 2015 I took it.

Through a lot of hard work we learnt how to write together and when Covid hit we took the opportunity to look for a singer.

We were both so fussy we actually thought we would never find that special someone, but actually it was pretty easy when we came across Portuguese singer Hugo Leite.

Hugo and I wrote all the lyrics and melodies on zoom during lockdown and we then went about finding a keys and bass plaer to complete the line up and play show.

That last bit was a nightmare if I am honest, resulting in us going to a two piece of myself and Hugo. Too many chefs spoil the broth and all that.

Since then it has been so much easier and, with one member left to find on bass, we aim to be back to playing shows in support of our debut EP and the following one we have lined up.

2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?

Emotionally charged new wave pop rock.

3. What’s currently going on in your camp? New releases? Tours? Etc.

We are completing our run of singles for EP 1 due out before Christmas 2023 and will then be hoping to play some live shows in the new year before starting to release the next batch of 7 songs we have for EP 2. We have loads of ideas in the background as well so the locomotive isn’t going to run out of steam any time soon!

4. What has been the most positive experience of making music to date for you?

Working with Hugo. I know nobody will believe this when I say, but he is hugely talented, great to write with, down to earth, a laugh and easy to work with….AND A SINGER! Basically I have found a Unicorn! Lol

5. Likewise, what has been some of the more challenging aspects and how have you overcome them?

Finding reliable musicians who practice what they preach both in terms of their ability, integrity and ambition. There are just so many unreliable people with over inflated opinions of themselves or no appreciation for what we are trying to do. It has been exhausting!

6. How do you handle the modern expectations of being in a band? Always online, having to put out content constantly, your success measured in likes and follows?

I am actually quite positive about it. Sure it has been a huge learning curve, but shorts give up and coming musicians a platform to reach the world for very little expense. You just have to know how to do it….that’s the tricky part!

I love making music video’s and shorts as it is all part of the creative process. Sending out endless emails and that side of things is the annoying bit but it is what it is.

7. What’s something that really ‘grinds your gears’ about the industry/business these days and what would you propose is done to combat it?

I confess I am rather ignorant on exactly what the justification for such low returns on streaming from the likes of Spotify but 0.003 cents a play? Really? Hopefully they will be dragged through the courts to make that fairer for musicians. Without us they have nothing!

8. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support your music?

I know you have heard this a billion times but like, follow and share! For new bands and artists it is the only thing that matters! We can make this our living when the industry see that we are worth putting on tour etc. If we don’t have enough engaged people loving what we do then no touring. It is as simple as that nowadays.

9. Outside of the music, what’s do you do to relax?

Drink!

I was joking but….come to think about it…it is actually rather accurate! Not because I am an alcoholic, but because music is all I need to relax.

10. Where can people find you?

https://linktr.ee/goodtimelocomotive