Interview: Angels and Kings
Published on August 5th, 2012 | Jonny Abrams
Birmingham rockers Angels and Kings were recently in LA to record their debut single “Wide Awake”, so Rocksucker fired some questions over to lead guitarist Alexander Doyle to find out a little bit more about the whole operation…
How would you describe your music, if pushed?
Well it’s all about catchy rock hooks and singalong melodies mixed in with various electronic elements.
Where are you based, and what do you use to record with?
We’re based in England but we recorded our single in Los Angeles at Trend Def Studios so we were fortunate to have a variety of great gear to choose from, all of which helped contribute to the overall sound of the track. A couple of us have our own small recording setups which we use to demo new tracks, it’s pretty basic but it works really well. Modern technology really opens up a lot of doors in terms of recording and getting new music out there.
Are you signed to a label? If so, how did you come to their attention?
Not currently.
Is there a full album in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it? (Feel free to be as abstract as you like…)
Yeah for sure, to release an album is really the ultimate aim but we’d want record label backing to make this happen. We have a bunch of new tracks that we’re working on which will certainly make the album. “Wide Awake” is a good taster of what to expect but we will definitely be expanding on that too. It’ll be a nice balance and hopefully a modern take on where rock and electronic music is at right now. We will be releasing new material in the meantime in single or EP form which should provide a pretty good taster of what we’re about.
Where can we hear your music online?
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates, this is best way to keep unto date with new stuff were doing.
www.twitter.com/angelsankings
www.facebook.com/angelsandkingsuk
Which have been your most exciting gigs and/or overall moments so far?
I think the overall experience of recording in LA is very hard to top. We’ve all recorded in various other studios in previous bands but there was just something about being in Los Angeles that made it a bit special. The experience was definitely unlike any other.
Got any more coming up? (Gigs, that is…)
Yes for sure, we will be playing from the end of September. Best to check into Facebook and Twitter as we will be announcing them very soon, once they are confirmed.
Are there any obscure and/or up-and-coming acts that you’d like to recommend or give a shout-out to?
Massive fans of Devin Townsend. He is pretty obscure outside of metal but but he can do anything: mellow, heavy, acoustic etc. Awesome live too and great with his fans. Check him out at www.facebook.com/dvntownsend His albums under the name Devin Townsend Project are big favourites.
As far as new bands we’re liking: Will and the People, Oliver Tank, Santigold
Finally, if you were forced to spend the rest of your days in solitary confinement, but were allowed to bring the entire works of five different artists along to tide you over, whose would you choose?
Well that’s pretty generous but still a difficult one! Everyone in the band would probably choose a different set of five but to pick out some bands that are liked across the board, I’d say Incubus, Smashing Pumpkins, Bjork, Deftones. We’re pretty old school too so let’s throw some Neil Young in there. All firm favourites with us.
Alexander Doyle, thank you.
soundcloud.com/angels-and-kings
About the Author
Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.
