Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with The Race
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Jess: I remember being allowed to go up for London with my friends when I was in sixth form to go to a Bluetones gig at Kentish Town Forum – the freedom! We ended up playing a show with them years later at King Tuts (amazing venue), and I popped into their green room to say thank you (I think I made them feel old!).
Graeme: I don’t have any early memories of music but I do remember crowd surfing at a Levellers gig when I must have been quite young.
James: Being taken to see Radiohead on their OK Computer tour at the Manchester Arena.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
Graeme: A 4 track cassette recorder and then a free software program.
Jess: We’ve been making music together in one form or another since we were teenagers. Grae studied music production at Uni, and has just kept going. It’s such an amazing gift to us now, as we can really take our time over crafting songs, and not feel like we’re being hurried into decisions in the studio.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Jess: We finished playing together in 2009 for various reasons – mainly other areas of life having to take the front seat for a while. We’ve always remained really close – like we’d see each other on school-run everyday! I don’t think any of us ever imagined we’d end up rekindling the band, but one November in 2024 Dan phoned round everyone and floated the idea and we were all IMMEDIATELY up for it. Our kids are that bit older now, so we have a bit of space to flex creative muscles again.
The new EP is called FAMILY, as we noticed the songs we’re writing now were so much about or for those we love the most.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Jess: We’ve always been compared to The National, Arcade Fire, that sort of sound, but I’m really interested in hearing what people make of the new stuff. I think we’ve definitely developed our tastes during our time away.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Graeme: I think it’s important to capture the original thing you liked about the song and not overthink it if possible.
Jess: This is the first time we’ve completely self-produced – previously recording has been very time boxed, say in a residential studio. Our process has completely flipped now, from honing the songs by gigging, to still being in the writing phase as we record. It’s taken a minute to get the new process down, but I think we’ll be a bit slicker recording the next batch of songs – poor Graeme has had to be very patient with us!
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Graeme: Guitars and drums!
Jess: Yes, plus some wires and stuff 🤣. Andy and Grae both pretty nerdy when it comes to gear, actually so is James with his menagerie of guitar pedals. A proper tone freak!!
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Graeme: Reigns by Office dog
Jess: not independent, but I’m really enjoying David Byrne’s new stuff. My kids love dancing round the kitchen to ‘Everybody Laughs’. I’m waiting for them to use it for a samba in Strictly Come Dancing 🤣 (maybe in an alternate universe…)
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Graeme: You can still make and record music with budget gear and not in a proper studio. The emotion or energy behind the song is the most important thing.
Jess: I think our personal experiences of raising families are definitely playing a bit part in the lyrics especially. It’s been amazing too, sharing the past two albums with our kids, as these were largely made before any of the ten of them were born! We definitely want to make music that leaves a legacy with them.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Jess: I hope that we offer a hopeful message in our songs – another way to view and experience the world.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Graeme: Music’s not that important but it can be fun!
Jess: I love the uniting power of music, a choir singing together pretty much always makes me cry!
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Jess: Our kids have never seen us play, so I’d love to play at a family friendly festival like Glastonbury, so the kids can come (I also love camping!).
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Jess: I have a lot of love for Chrissie Hynde, I’d love to hang out with her. Also Regine from Arcade Fire. I’m honestly happy though where I am, doing what I’m doing with who I’m doing it with…
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://www.facebook.com/TheRacerdg
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYDw21Ps9GZ1TtQApkRQQPg
x.com/theracerdg
theracerdg.bandcamp.com
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Jess: I’m just really loving being creative together again, and connecting with new people all around the world.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
James: That we’re just a normal bunch of people doing life, often together, and we want to put forward a message of hope through (hopefully) good music.
