Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Explorers
Explorers craft melodic and genre bending Indie synth pop music.
Taking their name from a mutual love of Joe Dante’s film, ‘Explorers’, the two piece – Jez Dennis (drums, synth) and Rob Bannister (synth, vocals) came together through a mutual love of nostalgia, 80’s cinema and a ‘DIY’ spirit built in a Chesterfield attic.
In an industry increasingly eager to shoehorn today’s artists into neatly organised subcultures, Explorers represent a slightly different proposition. There’s many influences at work here; Dennis previously played in a number of indie rock bands (his previous band, ‘Mybe’ once reached number 3 in the independent singles charts, outselling the likes of Maximo Park and Placebo) and there’s elements of jangly guitars reminiscent of The Cure, drum fills offering knowing nods to latter period Genesis, as well as spacious soundscapes inspired by Bannister’s forays as a filmmaker. The result is songs comfortable taking unscheduled turns while maintaining the melodic warmth of radio-friendly synth pop.
This accessibility has ensured Explorers have been quietly racking up the plays on primetime outlets; ‘Rocketeer’, a synth-indie blast, regularly ticks the boxes for TV shows keen for atmospheric backing and emotive leg-ups for their moving pictures. Such exposure almost does the music a disservice; Explorers are a ‘lights off, cans on’ kind of band – you need to take yourself away and enjoy the journey to really discover where they’re taking you.
In a live setting, the results are all the more enlightening; shows carry an altogether more analog feel, with Dennis’s driving drum sound suiting the rock bands of his past, but juxtaposed with Bannister’s array of digital samples and layered vocal, creates a genuine live sound which is immersive as an experience, rather than simply glowing in the distance.
The back catalogue is again characteristic of the band’s name; the desire to evolve their sound and discover new routes to the stratosphere. Songs such as ‘City Lights’ and ‘Ticket Home’ from 2012’s ‘Souvenirs’ EP stand as initial voyages into digital soundscapes; more recent material, notably, ‘Numbers’ reveal a band more relaxed in their influences and eager to weave old with new.
The band’s desire to produce material on their own terms ensures this sonic exploration remains a varied experience and continues to guide their output in new directions. This variety and scope for the new is exactly why Explorers will continue to take listeners on a journey of synth pop discovery.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
We both grew up in musical households and like most kids influenced by what music your parents listen to, we both had parents that were avid record collectors and were exposed to artists like Led Zeppelin , ELO, The Beatles, The Cars to name a few so music was a part of growing up and will always have those nostalgic early memories tied to them!
How did your passion for creating music begin?
We both started around 16, sampling records, experimenting with GarageBand and Logic. We were paired for a college media project and ended up making a track called Stars at Jez’s dad’s house. That moment sparked it all.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
We’ve been creating as Explorers since around 2010 and meet every week to create and record ideas and have lots of songs that we have never released that we could put out but we just want to release songs that provoke a feeling and not be forced without worrying about trends. we are in a good place at the moment and have lots of new songs that are in that space.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
80s-influenced synth pop with a dreamy, nostalgic feel. There’s a new romantic edge to it, but it’s not full retro just a soundscape that hopefully makes you feel something.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Always to trust in the way a melody/song idea makes you feel rather than how it sounds and stop worrying about what an imaginary audience might think of it.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Logic Audio for arrangement, Solid State Interface for recording clarity, Nord Lead Analogue Synth, Arturia synth plugins, Sound Toys Reverb/Delays, Hofner Bass Guitar and a Danelectro or any available electric guitar we can borrow!
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Drab Majesty – Out Of Sequence, We’re big fans of Joji. Also loving Sven Wunder and Parcels.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Personal experiences definitely influence us—breakups, life monotony—but we try not to get too heavy. Our music is more of a dreamy release than an emotional deep dive.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Definitely a sense of escapism, to be able to drift and make it part of their story. We don’t aim for a specific emotion. Whether it’s helping someone through a breakup or giving them a dreamy moment, we just hope the music connects.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
To always create music that you love and not what you think other people will love. Music is essential. No matter what we do, we always come back to it. It’s a space we need.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Glastonbury, hands down. But really, anywhere the crowd is engaged and in it with us is a dream.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Jeff Lynne (ELO) —just iconic. We also love the likes of Kate Bush, Prince, Morgan Kibby, and the late Rupert Hine. But Jeff Lynne would be the dream collaboration.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music?(Website,Spotify, IG, links)
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/explorersmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareexplorers
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0y7RUG2QdKxqj871cN13Xm?si=O-RLGFM9QJeb5eoXhiZyGg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexplorers/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCegGRNzN2Xfhrr-QJaIa3Vw
X: https://x.com/TheExplorersUK
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I think the dream still is and has always been to just be able to put something new and creative into the world, if that connects with anyone then it’s a great feeling.
We’re working on a new EP and aiming for a more live, band-oriented LP next. Right now, we’re more inspired than ever.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That we are genuine we get excited and motivated by finding that magic feeling in our music that can take you on a journey.
We try to weave in varied influences and subtle creative touches. Hopefully people get lost in it and feel something real.
