BUCKET - INTERVIEW
It’s gig week for Heavy Lungs, Bucket and Middler. We managed to speak to Bucket ahead of their support slot in Ulster Sports Club, Belfast, on Wednesday night.
What are your main inspirations, whether it be other musicians, artists, people places, etc?
“We have a broad range of musical inspirations ranging from Gilla Band to Thin Lizzy. We have a varied music taste as a band but there’s a good amount of common ground between us. We take a lot of inspiration from the hardcore and noise rock scenes in the American south and New York, respectively, as well as electronic music/culture. Other sources of inspiration include the Irish countryside and programmes such as Hardy Bucks.”
What does the writing process of ‘Bucket’ usually look like?
The songwriting process varies from song to song but one thing that has remained consistent has been the length of time over which the songs are completed. I think it's safe to say that we are all perfectionists; we constantly amend our songs and arrangements after road testing them, with some tracks taking over a year to reach their current version. We try to write with intention but often find that some of our best work comes from simply messing around or noodling in the rehearsal space.
Where does the energy for live shows come from? What inspires you to perform with such passion on stage?
It’s one of the rare chances you get in life to act completely unhinged and it’s totally justified. It would feel disingenuous to perform the type of music we make without expressing ourselves physically so we usually end up completely emptying the tank every show.
What's your favourite gig you have played so far? do you prefer local gigs or gigs
abroad?
Our favourite gig to date is actually our most recent: ESNS festival in the Netherlands. It was the biggest crowd we have ever played to and the energy in the room was surreal. Overseas shows would absolutely be our preference; we’ve been lucky enough to make some amazing friends through touring and the opportunity to see new places and share our music with new audiences is always a privilege.
If you had to play one venue for the rest of your life, where would it be and why?
If we’re talking about dream venues it would have to be Madison Square Garden, we really enjoyed our time in New York and so many iconic shows have happened there.
What's your dream lineup for a festival, and would you want to play it or watch it?
Our dream festival would be a three-day weekender with Knocked Loose, Queens of the Stone Age and Charli XCX headlining. Other acts across the bill might include Gilla Band, Model/Actriz, Maruja, DITZ, Osees, Viagra Boys and Loathe. We would most definitely want to play on this lineup as well as watch every set.
What's your favourite song you guys have released to date and why?
It would have to be our most recent single, “Nonsense”. 'Nonsense' was the first song we wrote when Korey joined the band; it represents our development as both musicians and songwriters and we are all very proud of the final product.
What's the best piece of music advice you've received from someone around you?
Don’t quit your day job and don't obsess over the achievements of others; focus on your own goals.
If you could change anything about the industry or scene around you, what would it
be and why?
These days it feels like branding and social media reach have become more important than the music itself. We wish that the value of an artist or band was based more on merit instead of viral moments and algorithms.
Who are your favourite local artists at the moment?
It’s no secret that Ireland has one of the most vibrant and impressive music scenes in the world at the minute; we’re very lucky to be surrounded by so many unreal bands. Some of our favourite Irish acts right now are Shark School, Nerves, Yard, Echo Northstar, Babyrat and Cabl.
What can people expect from your set on the 4th of February at Ulster Sports Club?
Irreversible hearing damage.