Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Slaney Bay
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Jumping around my bedroom with my best friend Sam, using tennis rackets as pretend guitars and miming along to a Busted CD. I’d got it for Christmas and had it on repeat. Funnily enough, we still blare Busted in the band car on the way to shows. (Cait)
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I remember starting to learn guitar as a kid and discovering how many iconic songs are built from different combinations of the same simple chords. It blew my mind. I instantly got hooked on seeing how I could rearrange those chords and make my own songs. (Cait)
What’s the story behind your current music project?
In simple terms, it’s four best friends who love spending time together, all with busy minds, getting those ideas out into the world. And somehow, some other people seem to connect to that! (Cait)
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music Before?
Music you’d listen to on a long journey home. Happy sad with a nostalgic feeling that sits in your gut. (Cait)
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Something I have learned recently is that you can get bogged down in how to record or write something “properly”. When in reality you just need to focus on the sound and if you like it, then that’s the right way for you. If you love making your music, people will love listening to it. (Jonny)
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Ableton Live is essential for us. We can send over projects and ideas, so we can keep the creative process going even when we are too busy to meet all together.
It’s always nice having good quality and expensive gear but it isn’t a necessity. A lot can be done with cheap and simple equipment. (Joey)
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I’m really enjoying the new James Blake album, it’s an amazing blend of so many genres and I always find James’ songwriting and production addictive. (Will)
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Our personal experiences have a big impact on our music. It’s really therapeutic to turn your thoughts and feelings into something physical and tangible like a song. Our track “Take Your Time” is about an old best friend of mine suddenly ghosting me and the whole friendship group. I was upset, hurt, and mostly confused. One day we were on the phone laughing and catching up, and that ended up being the last time I ever heard from him. Writing “Take Your Time” helped me process that kind of grief and stopped me from internalising it. Releasing it and hearing from people who had gone through similar things made me feel supported and helped me stop blaming myself. (Cait)
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Great question. I think a bit of self kindness, and the understanding that it’s okay to lean on your friends. I’m learning to treat myself with the same compassion I give to other people, and to actually accept help instead of just always being the one giving it. There are a few lines in our song “Move On” where I play with this idea, “How can you grow in a room on your own? How will they help if you don’t let them know?” I naturally tend to isolate myself when I’m going through things, but you feel so much better when you share the load with someone. I’d love for someone else to have that same realisation. (Cait)
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
It’s a massive cliche but just being yourself. So many people in the industry will try to put you in a box and make you fit into what they think is right but if you love making music and you want to keep loving it, make sure you’re doing it on your own terms. (Jonny)
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
My dream venue would be Brixton O2 Academy. I’ve grown up seeing our favorite artists at this iconic London venue and it would be an honor to play on that stage. I’d also love to play Mad Cool Festival in Madrid. I have attended that festival multiple times and have always had a great time. (Joey)
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Has to be Hayley Williams. Probably one of the coolest people ever and an amazing writer. (Will)
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
We are on all major streaming sites and are @Slaneybay on all of our socials! Our website is Slaneybay.co.uk 🙂
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical Journey?
I love playing in new cities. A dream would be to headline shows across the UK, especially in places we haven’t been to yet. So far we’ve only headlined in London. The idea of selling out shows away from home and having people come out to see us in cities we’ve never even visited would be surreal. A real “pinch me” moment… (Cait)
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
Friendship and 3 cursed treasures that have been lost for centuries… Or on a more serious note, there’s a real journey and clear build to our sound. The first EP is a lot more chilled but as you push through the 2nd and 3rd EP the energy really starts to come through. All of the songs are really personal to us but the new stuff starting with “Thats Cool” is opening up on a level we haven’t really gotten to before, especially for Cait. We really think it’s something special. (Jonny)
New single “That’s Cool” music video link:
