In a this segment All Music Magazine UK/Europe we will be spotlighting some of the bands and artists that we think are going to get people talking in the next 12 months; bands and artists we think you should check out to stay ahead of the curve.
So here are the HIMALAYAS , one of the most exciting bands around at the moment both on record and live, a fast rising band from South Wales playing their own brand melodic indie rock. Their sound is built to fill stadiums. They could just be the next big British stadium band.
The band, who consist of Joe Williams (lead vocals/guitars), Mike Griffiths (guitars/vocals) and Louis Heaps (bass) met at school and bonded over their love of bands like The Strokes, Queens Of The Stone Age, Muse, Royal Blood, Nick Cave and Manic Street Preachers. Drummer James Goldbourn moved to Cardiff from Dubai and found like-minded souls in the trio to complete the line up.
Himalayas were awarded a PPL Momentum Fund last year which has enabled them to return to the studio with producer, Steffan Pringle to work on all their lockdown songs. These new tracks are lined up for release later this year, alongside a headline tour in September along with some festival appearances and a special end of year show at London’s Grace in December.
For fans of Queens Of The Stone Age, Muse and Royal Blood
So Desh Kapur Editor/Photographer at All Music Magazine UK/Europe decided it was time to have a little chat with them to see where they came from and what they have been up to and what their plans for the future are.
Due to Covid face to face interviews are a not permitted so email was the medium of choice.
What is the story behind your name?
I think choosing a name for a band is probably the most challenging thing. We thought of so many names and I just think that this is the one that suited what we wanted to do best. But in all honesty, it was Monsters inc.
What first got you into music? or Who inspired you to make music?
We all had similar musical upbringing I guess, it all mainly started from our parents’ music collections. We’ve all been lucky to have our parents influence our music tastes. I think all of us just want to be able to create music that we love and hope that other people would love it as much as we do. I think we were all lucky in a way, we all grew up with amazing bands and artists playing Rock music; without those bands we all loved so much, we might not be doing this.
How did you all meet?
Myself, James and Mike met in school and then a little later on James brought Louis into the band. We decided that he just about made the cut and we’ve kept him around ever since.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Heavy Hooky Rock
What is your creative process like?
I think it can change, there isn’t really a formula. Myself and Mike usually come to the boys with something fully finished but sometimes we can add parts at the last possible point. We’ve recently been in the studio and we were still adding parts to songs on the last day.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
AC/DC, Foo Fighters, Jack White, The Strokes. There are so many…
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Thank you for listening to our music and making the shows we’ve been able to play so memorable. When we can do it all again we’ll make sure that we all make the most of it even more than we did before!!
What is the most useless talent you have?
Louis can put his entire fist in his mouth!!
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
You sexy thing’ by Hot Chocolate – ‘James & Mike’
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Astronaut, Race car driver, Brain surgeon, Taxi Driver. We’ll let you decide which one is which!!
Where have you performed?
We’ve been lucky enough to play at some amazing festivals such as SXSW, Mad Cool, Reading & Leeds and the Isle of Wight; as well touring throughout Europe and the UK. It’s been amazing so far and we can’t wait to get back out and tour as many places as we possibly can. Definitely more Non-UK shows!!
What are your favourite and least favourite venues?
Favourite venues, there are so many! We love playing shows back home in Cardiff so maybe somewhere like Clwb Ifor Bach. But we also loved Electric Ballroom, o2 Academy Liverpool, Brudenell social club, Hope & Ruin, Night and Day cafe. I don’t think we’ve really got a least favourite. Maybe since lockdown it would be our own homes. Doing live shows or live acoustic sessions from home is fun but just isn’t the same.
Do you have any upcoming shows?
We have a UK tour in September followed by a London show in December. We’ve just added a whole load of new shows to this tour because we’ve missed it so much. We’d love to see everyone there!!
What is your favourite song to perform?
A song called ‘The Mirror’ or maybe a song called ‘Mistakes’. But there are loads of new songs that we’ve never played live so we can’t wait for September to be able to play them live for the first time!
Which famous musicians do you admire?
Iggy Pop, John Lennon, David Bowie. There are so many more but I just think that all three of these musicians are incredible. Either by their performance or by the way in which they’ve created and written music.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I don’t think we’re allowed to tell you. But the story involved:
A Toupee,
A Policeman,
A Fair few pints
And an Angry old man.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
I think maybe it’s to ‘Enjoy it’ because I think we always kind of took playing gigs and being able to do some of the things we’ve done for granted maybe. But I think the last year plus has been really humbling because you never really know what’s around the corner. When we can get back out there, we’ll savour it a hell of a lot more and definitely make the most of our time. I think working towards an album and making sure that it’s the best thing we can put out at that time is the way we’re thinking right now.
What’s next for you?
New music, bigger and better shows. Eventually…. an album
HIMALAYAS TOUR DATES
7 September 2021 Cardiff, The Globe
8 September 2021 Glasgow, The Garage
10 September 2021 Brighton, Green Door Store
11 September 2021 Southampton, Heartbreakers
12 September 2021 Manchester, Night & Day Café
14 September 2021 Leeds, The Lending Rooms
16 September 2021 Birmingham, The Victoria
17 September 2021 Guilford, The Boiler Room
23 September 2021 Liverpool, The Jacaranda
2 December 2021 London, The Grace
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My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago and married my childhood sweetheart and life is good.
