Coves

-

John Ridgard of Coves gives us an insight into the inner workings of the band: their origin story, why Phil Spector influences their music and on James Endeacott and manager Mat being their parents. They make 60s-flecked psych-indie, fuzzy and clogged with smoky guitars, but still with an accessible pop charm and a resolute quirkiness that resonates with anyone disillusioned by the Top 40.

Though still finding their feet, they’ve piqued the interest of many people, winning them support slots with 80s legends Echo & The Bunnymen and Eugene McGuinness. Tastemaker Huw Stephens is a big fan, championing them straight from their early days and giving the fledgling outfit some much needed airplay. They’ve had a great 2012, they’re poised to make their mark on the New Year – so with that in mind, here’s a peek into the mind of Coves.

How did Coves form? What was the plan when you first decided to start making music together?

We were just mates, we worked together in a music venue in Leamington. On a drunken night out I said I would make Beck a song to sing on and it started from there.

The Cast A Shadow EP was released a few months ago. How did you go about writing and recording it? What was the story behind it?

Myself and a friend built a studio in a disused building owned by my boss, cobbled it together out of rubbish bought from eBay. I spend all my time in there making noise. Occasionally, something sounds right for Coves – Beck comes in and writes vocals and then bosses me around on how the song should sound… other than that there is no story.

‘Wicked Games’ has been covered countless times. Why did you choose to give it a go? What makes yours different?

It was one of those songs that was always on the radio when I was a kid, I guess most boys my age probably had their sexual awakening to that video as well… it’s an eerie song anyway, we just wanted to make it darker… creepier.

What’s the meaning behind the name ‘Coves’?

It’s an old fashioned name for a friend….Beck is my Cove.

Who would you say are your major influences?

Whoever I’m listening to that week….lots of producers: Joe Meek, Phil Spector, Martin Hannet…all those fucking nutcases who forged there own sound and bullied their artists…the sound of an album to me has more to do with the production than the song writing. That’s where the atmosphere is.

What’s been your favourite record of 2012 so far?

Changes daily, but this week I’m loving the new Clinic album.

We’ve just started our ‘Ones To Watch For 2013′ list. Who do you think we should keep an eye out for?

Dark Horses!

How would you describe your sound in three words?

Old, old coves.

People have made links between your music and 60s psychedelic rock. Was that a road you deliberately went down?

Yeah I guess so…I was listening to lots of 60s garagey stuff when we first started.

Huw Stephens has been a pretty influential fan. What’s that like?

He has a welsh accent and he played our records and got loads of people to listen to us. We were over the moon….we met him at a TOY gig, we were so so drunk after a Coves day out with the managers…I think we may have scared everyone we met that night.

What’s it like working with James Endeacott?

Fucking great. He is one of life’s true originals….him and our other manager Mat are like an old married couple. They are our parents, but behave worse than us.

And how was touring with Eugene McGuiness and Echo & The Bunnymen?

Both awesome… Echo & The Bunnymen because we had only been a band for a few months and all of a sudden we were on a big tour bus going across Europe and Eugene because they are all such ace people to be around.

What can we expect for the future?

Everything’s gonna change in 2013, we just don’t yet know how. 2012 has been the best year ever. Can the next compete? I don’t know.

The Cast A Shadow EP is available now through Cross Keys Records.