Wednesday 4 November 2015

Interivew With SIRACUSE

SIRACUSE. A play on the name of one of Sicily's most beautiful cities, providing the sound of the British adolescence. 

 

Originally the sound of the 1990's, but seems to be flourishing as more and more people seem to be reminiscing, or listening to their parents music. Bands such as Oasis and The Verve are made legend once more, by the children of those who saw them live.

 

Although many new bands try, few can create the hallowed 'indie alternative' sound. However SIRACUSE have not only managed it, they've amalgamated it and made it all their own. 

 

SIRACUSE are more than a band, lost in the sound of the 1990's, their on track to become something incredible. 

 


The lovely Ben Zakotti, vocalist and guitarist, earlier this week gave me an incredible insight into SIRACUSE, a band who are ultimately destined for something big.
 
SIRACUSE consists of Ben Zakotti, vocals and guitar, Matt Jefferies, bass guitar and Will Hall, drums. The band are dubbed as alternative indie, which in this bands case is completely true as they take influence from some of the biggest 'alternative indie' bands & musicians in the world, The Verve, John Power, Nick Drake, Ride, Sulk, BRMC, Oasis, John Martyn and the Stone Roses, just to name a few. 

The name SIRACUSE is pretty unique sounding. However it isn't neologism, its a play on the name Syracuse in Sicily, birthplace to Archimedes and rich in Greek culture.


"It's a bit of a play on the city name. When I [Zakotti] visited Sicily a few years back I saw it and just thought the name was really good for a band name. Names for bands are a weird thing, we went round and round for months trying to force a name but in the end we just thought it's just a name. It doesn't need to tell anyone how we sound or anything like that, but Siracuse just rolls easily."


When asked about the 'best show the band have played', Zakotti replied with an all too real response, showing just how harsh this industry can be, 

"We haven't played a show yet. It's not from want of trying.
This is a brand new project for the three of us, we've all been in separate bands in the past and played a lot of decent shows and venues, but this time around were taking our time, rehearsing, recording, demoing. I'm on the case constantly trying to get us gigs but half the time unless you have a booking agent or you're signed, it seem venues turn the other cheek. It can be frustrating and seems like we're still trying to get our foot on the ladder, but at the same time we're OK with it you know. I always think it doesn't matter about tours, or supports or any of that straight away. We want it to be right when we play live, we don't want to cut corners and settle with anything less than our best.
We're writing really good songs and the songs are getting better every time we rehearse so it's just a matter of time, and if a venue gives us the cold shoulder, Were move on, try somewhere else."

So many people think it is easy to create a band and become famous instantly, however as SIRACUSE prove, its not as easy as you think, even if your music is incredible sounding.

I'd love to see this band live, like with so many other bands, their music becomes 100x better when you hear it live, and although SIRACUSE haven't played a gig yet, playing live seems to be high up on their to do list, along with new singles and an album, as Zakotti explains,

"To get the album down would be mega, it's like an itch that needs to be scratched. We know the songs are there, it's just a case of recording. Mind you, I'd like us to have a couple of good gigs to get us up and running next year.

I think ultimately we just want to play live, get back out there with some bands we really love. Sell our songs to people who like it and have a laugh doing it. Playing live is the most instant buzz if you're in a band, it's immediate and if you finish a gig and people seem into it, then we're come away happy. Live is so important, just need the right folk to get you there.

We have Just written two new demo tracks which are on our soundcloud page, a new one called Forever in rehearsals is sounding massive. It's got a sluggish but hypnotic bass line going on and goes round and round, the new songs were writing are really coming on. Our latest song Become Lights is brand new, started off just as an acoustic and I nearly binned it... But we tried it with drums and bass and it's just taken shape, really catchy and there's a nuts drum section in the middle.

We're going to release New Waters and Blue as a double A Side, on download and vinyl, might have a sneaky little surprise up our sleeve too for early next year."





Every band has those few bands they wish to tour with, whether its influences or best friends and SIRACUSE are no different.

"Bands like Sulk and April they would be decent to tour with. Blossoms and The Lucid Dream from Carlisle as well are mega. 

We think it would be important to play with bands we like and listen to, just seems to make sense."

When people idolise bands, they seem to forget they are people, who are individual with weird interests or incredible talents. It is something which doesn't stop amazing me and upcoming bands are always great for things people might not know about them.

"[Zakotti] I've always been a guitarist, never sang. So this is my first time singing and playing, we started out as a four piece with a front man but he left so I kind of just fell into it.
Matt on bass is one of my best mates, he's one of the nicest blokes you could meet, heart of gold! He's a guitarist as well first hand but plays the bass in the style of a guitarist playing rhythm. Really drives it which lays the foundations with Will's drums.
Will's a rock drummer, but he suits our sound incredibly well without making us sound 'heavy rock''. He's a brilliant drummer."


So whats your plans for next year ?

"We'll be in the studio in February to record a 6 Track EP for release on digital plus 300 vinyl copies, and we're trying to book a run of gigs from March. We got the nod for our first show on the 31st in London. Our first shows booked !"

 Ben Zakotti, is there any last thing you want to say to your current fans ?



"Check out a band from Coventry called April. They have a song out called Ten Miles High and it's an absolute tune. They got this thing going on that's a bit 90s but at the same time really current.

Thanks for listening. Thanks for caring. We'll see you next year."

I think this band will be huge. There's something about them, a determination and drive that seems to be relentless. Although they don't have a single live show to their name, I think this band would be great so see live, judging by music alone. I think they have something special and their sound might allow them to monopolise on this current cultural obsession with indie and alternative music. In high schools at least, having an alternative indie music taste is something that can make or break a friendship. Its hugely important, or so it seems. Social media seems to be full of it and maybe the fascination with this genre, can become a fascination with this band too.

If you get the chance go and see this band live. It will be great no doubt and to see a band play one of their very first, if not their first, show is incredible.


Find SIRACUSE  online - 



SIRACUSE are set to play The Blackheart in Camden, London on the 31st March 2016.

Photo courtesy of twitter.