Interviews: Neptune Rain

This is a new interview with the Alternative Rock artist Neptune Rain from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Initially, we really liked the idea of Neptune ‘Something’ because there is a bit of a Neptune theme in Cheltenham, with a statue of God on the promenade being just one example. Neptune Rain was the first-word combination that we all liked, and then whilst we were researching its viability, we came across the theory that it can rain diamonds on the planet, Neptune. At that time, we already had a song with a working title of Diamonds, and we knew that thematically our music was always going to have a duality of hope and despair, and we thought that diamonds falling as rain on this cold and dark planet was the perfect metaphor for hope and beauty still being able to emerge, even in the darkest of times.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

All of us share a huge love for the noughties nu-metal, pop-punk and emo scenes that we grew up with, but our sound was fairly defined from the offset. Kieran had written and produced a demo called All Pain No Gain, which featured the core elements of rock, as well as synths, drum samples, vocal samples and rapped sections, and he wrote it with the sole purpose of advertising his vision for the band he was trying to start. From then on we knew how we wanted to sound and only songs that really fitted within that framework were given life, and All Pain No Gain went on to be our second single.

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

None of us knew each other at all, although Simon and Joe grew up in the same small town and somehow never met! All of us met using online musician’s forums apart from Kieran and Joe who met up at a vegan festival after an ethical clothing company had shared a video of Joe drumming in their apparel.

4. Each band member’s favourite band?

Kieran - there are a few artists from across the musical spectrum who come close, but no one ever has, or I don’t ever will, beat my love for Linkin Park. Hybrid Theory literally changed the course of my life as a musician. Before hearing Linkin Park, I didn’t know I liked heavy rock music or rap. Hybrid Theory was a game changer.

Ollie - I’m so indecisive haha, it’s constantly changing for me. Currently though I’m loving Cane Hill’s EP releases. I could listen to those guys all day, every day. They’ve inspired me so much over the last few years and I learned so much about songwriting from them too.

Simon - I’m not great with favourites. I change my mind a lot depending on what mood I’m in. My honourable mentions are Linkin Park (the first rock band I liked), Green Day (my first gig and got me interested in playing guitar), Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, Avenged Sevenfold and Billy Talent but coming straight from my emo roots my favourite band is My Chemical Romance. As a teenager growing up with anxiety and depression, they mirrored the angst I felt perfectly. I was swept away by their vibe, the theatrical quality they brought with them and their emotional storytelling. As well as the aggressive despair with flashes of hopefulness in their music.

Rob - It has to be Evanescence. Plenty of other artists have held my attention for shorter amounts of time, but for me no other artist conveys the same raw emotion, relatability and atmosphere in quite the way they do, especially live. They'll always hold a special place in my heart.

Joe - As a teen I listened to loads of American punk bands like Minor Threat but these days it tends to be 60s Soul or dreamy pop sounds like Florence & The Machine and Lana Del Rey. I think Calva Louise are doing some really cool things at the moment but my favourite band ever would probably be an unsigned band from Guildford called Flyin Ike. They released about 3 EPs then called it quits. Some of their music videos are still on YouTube and I highly recommend having a listen - they would change time signatures and completely switch musical styles from one second to the next but did it with catchy tunes that were delivered with such an effortless tongue in cheek charm that you'd never notice how technically complicated the writing was. Every time I listen to them, I probably hear something new that I've never noticed before.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Kieran: I write music constantly, there are always new ideas being composed in my head and so many voice notes on my phone that I’ve had to record before I forget them. There’s a lot of rubbish on there, but I tend to know the good ideas because I can’t wait for the first opportunity to start demoing them properly! My mental health and constant battle with depression features prominently throughout our music, as well as particularly emotional life events from the past few years. Sometimes just hearing an amazing song for the first time is all the inspiration I need. It’s like my mind is thinking ‘Yes! That’s the level of songwriting I want to achieve in all our tracks, let’s make one now!’ Glass Heart by Caskets and Holding Absence’s Afterlife were two tracks that I know inspired me to start working on something new.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was amazing, it was our first hometown show, at the legendary Frog & Fiddle in Cheltenham, supporting our local friends More Human Than Human at their album release party. When we launched online to the world in April 2020, during the first lockdown, we never thought it would be eighteen months later before we finally took to the stage. Although the Cheltenham date was the last one on a string of dates around the country, it was a really nice moment.

7. Where would you like to play?

After having to wait eighteen months to do our first show, we’ll take anywhere haha! We really want to continue building on our hugely supportive fanbase in the south west, midlands and London, and grow to be able to tour all the major towns and cities in the UK… and then Europe, America and beyond. We are really trying to enjoy the journey as it happens, but saying that, the first password for our shared drive was a variation of ‘Pyramid Stage’, because performing on the main stage at Glastonbury one day would be fulfilling the ultimate childhood dream. We like to take the approach of shooting for the stars, because if we only get halfway there it will still have been an amazing ride!

8. Who would you like to support?

I think Linkin Park would have been the dream support slot for most of us, but there would be something so nostalgically wonderful about getting to support one of the artists we loved as kids, and who first inspired us to be musicians, such as Foo Fighters, Funeral For A Friend, MCR, Evanescence. We’d also love to play or go on tour with any of the amazing bands that the UK alt-rock scene is producing right now too - Caskets and Holding Absence we’ve already mentioned, but Don Broco, Boston Manor, Nova Twins, Hot Milk, Trash Boat, and Superlove are just some of the gems whose journey we love following

9. Who not?

Haha I don’t think we’re at a level where we can be picky yet right!? We’d have to take each opportunity on its own merit, but very tactfully we’ll say that ideally what we’d love to be doing is sharing stages with bands who share our values of hope and unity and our belief in a kinder and more compassionate world.

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

Ollie: When I was younger I used to suffer really badly with stage fright and no one else in my band did. Dry mouth, shaking, the works. My way around was to imagine the world ended at the end of the stage, like I was just playing to a wall or going nuts at a rehearsal. Over time, I got used to the ‘butterflies’ as I walked onto a stage and now it’s my favourite part of being in a band. I use the fear and adrenaline to fuel each performance. 

Rob: For me, it's always been the build up and anticipation more than actually being on stage. So for someone like me I'd say it's important to stay busy, hydrated and distracted so that you're not worrying about making a mistake or overthinking what's ahead. If beer's your thing, a small amount can help to settle nerves, but don't overdo it or rely on it.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

We’ve mentioned them already before, but Linkin Park are a huge one, not only because of their incredible songwriting and career longevity, but because of what they represented to so many people. They were a symbol of hope and togetherness for anyone who has ever felt broken and alone, and if we can achieve just a fraction of that we will be delighted. No matter what else we may go on to achieve or not achieve, we hope that people will see and value our sincerity, and our belief in a more peaceful and caring world.

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

We don’t think we’ve been asked for anything too weird yet, but we’ve had some lovely moments such as being asked to do a live-streamed interview on Lovelight Music, one of our fan’s music channels, which was a really lovely experience. We’ve also had some Christmas cards sent to each of us which is such a kind thing, and to know that people care enough to do that is really humbling.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Kieran: We’re not sure we will ever find the right words to explain this, but having launched online to the world during the first lockdown of 2020, in what was the beginning of the toughest period of my life, the people who took the time to listen to us, follow us and engage with us made it all feel worthwhile. As band mates we were stuck working in isolation from our own homes, so knowing that there were people who enjoyed what we were doing and cared about it really gave us the strength to keep going.

14. What do you think of our site?

Breathing The Core is a great website, with such an extensive and diverse database of underground bands. It’s great for up and coming bands to have such a supportive platform and are really grateful to be given the opportunity. Thank you!

15. Something to add?

Our next single, Final Round, is out on the 1st April 2022. It’s the first time we’ve ever been able to record as a full band, and not in isolation, the way we always wanted to make our music before COVID got in the way. We’re really excited for the world to hear it and can’t wait to see how it is received. Keep in touch with us via - https://www.weareneptunerain.com/