Interviews: Sonder

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the  Rock band Sonder from UK. Check out the interview and this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

It kind of happened by chance. We were struggling to come up with something that we all agreed on (We had some terrible ideas before Sonder) and Kraig happened to come across The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows whilst doing some other writing. Sonder is in this. It is the realisation that everybody around you is leading a life as vivid as your own. We loved the meaning behind it so we picked that.

2.Why did you want to play this genre? 

We play grungy, alt rock because it’s what we all love. Bands like Nirvana, Biffy Clyro etc are not just influences on us as a band, but are bands we were listening to long before we started this band. We just write the sort of music that we love to hear and hope others feel the same.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

Kraig, Andrew & Reece had all played music together in a previous project, albeit never at the same point (Kraig & Andrew and then Kraig & Reece). Luke knew Reece through a mutual friend, they bumped into one another on a night out and got talking about music. We needed a bassist and Luke had just left his band at that time so joined us.

4. Each band member favourite band? 

Kraig – Nirvana

Andrew – Arcane Roots

Luke - Alexisonfire

Reece - Silverchair

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

It’s cliché to say it, but just a passion for playing music and playing shows. I (Kraig) try and write from a personal place, and it’s a really good mechanism for dealing with issues that I have with my own mental health to be able to write out how I’m feeling about things. To then take these words and form them into songs with the guys and perform them to people is really therapeutic (and utterly terrifying at the same time to be so open with complete strangers).

6. Where was your last gig? 

Our last gig was at The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham supporting a great band called Sick Joy.

7. Where would you like to play? 

2000 Trees Festival. The best festival in the UK with the best audiences and the best bands. Would sell off family members to get on the line up!

8. Who would you like to support? 

Biffy Clyro without a doubt. They were such a huge influence on this band and are also really nice people. To be able to share a stage with a band we look up to like that would be a dream come true.

9. Who not?

No one really. We’ll play shows for anyone who’s willing to listen and give us a chance. One of our favourite shows earlier this year was on a bill that we didn’t think we’d actually fit in too well on. We ended up going down really well and made a whole bunch of new fans we never expected which was great.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

We’ve all had nerves before shows (and still do some times), but we’ve never had stage fright. We played our first ever gig at 100mph because of adrenaline, so a 30-minute set was done in about 20 minutes instead. The easiest way to get over any fears is to practice the songs so many times that you know every single part like the back of your hand. That way, once you start playing live it feels like second nature and muscle memory kicks in.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The bigger, more obvious bands that have influenced us are Nirvana, Biffy Clyro, early Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins. A lot of grunge/alt rock bands really! But we’ve also had less recognised bands like Arcane Roots, Black Foxxes, Fangclub really help shape our sound too. Anyone who writes huge guitar riffs and massive choruses really!

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

We’re still very much an up and coming band, so when some one stops you at a show for a ‘selfie’, that’s still so strange for us. We haven’t had any really weird requests yet… But we’re looking forward to being surprised!

13. What do you think of your fans? 

We love our fans! We’re still a band very much in its infancy, but we still have a small group of hardcore fans who almost never miss a show. To see them singing along, moshing and having such a great time is incredible and gives us such energy when we play!

14. What do you think of our site?

It’s great! It’s always nice to see someone who takes the time to showcase new music as well as established bands and do their best to get new music heard by more people! 

15. Something to add?

We have a new single out on Nov 23rd called ‘A Wicked Place’ which is part of our new self-titled E.P which is out in Jan 2019. You can buy a limited edition (20 only) box set from our Bandcamp page (available to pre-order now!). Hopefully see you at a show soon! Come say hello!