Weekends
Letzten Freitag veröffentlichten sie ihre erste Single mit dem Titel "Weekends", und wie der Name schon sagt ist der Song wie geschaffen für das Wochenende, catchy Vibes, leichtgängiger Indie Sound für's Wochenende. Indie Pop der sofort ins Ohr geht, gute Melodie kombiniert mit gutem Gesang, hin und wieder rückt die Gitarre in den Vordergrund während das ganze vom coolen Groove des Basses und der Drums getragen wird. Man erwischt sich immer wieder wie man den Takt mit klopft, ob man jetzt will oder nicht. Alles klingt positiv, optimistisch und nach Sommer beinahe so als ob ein angenehmer kühler Wind durchs Haar weht. Ein starkes Debüt von einer Band, wo ich davon ausgehe dass das nicht ihre letzte Veröffentlichung war. Wer Xoxo sind erfahrt ihr im nachfolgenden Interview.
The Interview
Who inspired you to make music in general?
Alex (Bass): My older cousin. They were in bands whilst I was growing up and used to show me music, which really kicked off my musical. I remember being a kid, listening to their music on my Walkman and thinking to myself how cool it would be to have a CD with my own music on one day!
Vid (Vocals): Music’s been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember but Jimmy Page made me actually want to play guitar. I think when I started writing my own I was listening to The Kinks a lot, but it was natural to just start making things up. It was definitely Alex Turner who made me want to write lyrics, though.
Jordan (Drums): My guitar teacher back in the day. He ripped a face-melting solo and from there I was sold. Ironically I’m the drummer now, but we all know drums are the cooler instrument.
Cam (Guitar): No-one really, I've always enjoyed music and creating things so the two go together nicely.
...and especially to "Weekends”?
A: Personally weekends wasn’t inspired by a specific artist but more by a feeling. I wanted to get the vibe of having a great time at the weekend into the bassline. And I think I have, it's a super fun track to play and I can’t help but smile the entire time!
V: It was much more electronic when I first brought it to rehearsal. In my head, it was more like a Flume track or like “The Middle” by DJ Snake and Bipolar Sunshine…goes to show how much songs change as you work on them. It’s a few years old and I was in a long distance relationship at the time, which inspired it too. And like Alex said, I think it was a vibe for everyone!
What is your creative process like?
J: We are what you would call a ‘DIY’ band. Due to Vid studying and working within production/engineering it’s allowed us to take the reins a lot more throughout our creative process. We normally start with a very stripped back idea of just piano and vocals, then we all build brick by brick. During the pandemic we've found this to be a great way of working; it really allows us all to have more creative input.
C: Random and extremely counterproductive
V: I’m pretty chaotic - got a million ideas all over the place and I sort of smash them together until something clicks. The songs usually start with me but I try and bring the others in early and we go together from there. I’m usually changing things (sometimes big ones like lyrics or sections) right up until mastering. The song’s not done until it’s out the door!!
What is the most useful talent you have?
C: Playing Guitar.
V: Yeah, can we say music? I can cook pretty decently too.
J: Being able to ruin anyone at a game of Yu-Gi-Oh.
A: ...Is it a talent to not have any useful talents?
...and the most useless talent?
C: Playing guitar.
V: I don’t think anything is useless. I can play chess, maybe? But to be honest, I’m not very good at that, so it probably doesn’t count anyway.
J: Being able to ruin anyone at a game of Yu-Gi-Oh…
A: Being late. You wouldn’t think that’s a talent but trust me, it happens so often I'd argue it is!
If you could change anything in the past, what would it be?
C: Nothing (No regrets).
J: My fashion sense…Oh boy have I come a long way. My emo days were a real laugh. And to think how seriously I used to take myself; I guess that’s just being young at the end of the day!
A: Getting into reading philosophical books a lot sooner in my life! And making myself spend more time playing my instruments instead of playing the XBox all day!
V: Let’s not even go there.
How do you feel the Internet (especially Social Media platforms) has impacted the music business?
J: I think it really has allowed anyone and everyone to make music, release it and gain a following with a lot more ease. That being said I think it has really oversaturated the market and made the fight for fame a bigger struggle. There’s a lot more to it than just playing great music these days. I love the concept of social media, but wow does it take up a lot of your time!
A: Overall, I’d have to say positively. It’s been great because bands and artists can reach so many new people who they may never have reached without things like Facebook and Twitter! It’s also given bands a new way to interact with their fans outside of meeting them at shows.
C: I think the positives and negatives cancel out each other so not much? While its easier to share what you've created, there's so much being shared its kinda harder to find new music?!
V: Yeah I guess in the same way that it’s changed social interactions in general. There’s so much noise out there that it can be hard for new bands to tell if they’re actually good because they’re competing with Arctic Monkeys and their whole team. You’re kind of on the same platform, like if you use dating apps and you’re basically competing with everyone within 20 miles.
XoXo are...?
J: Xoxo is everything you’ve been missing and need. We want to create a sense of nostalgic indie festival vibes combined with modern pop influence; bringing something new to the table yet always deep in your heart. Xoxo is my passion and the love of my life. Who knows where it comes from, sounds cool though right?
A: A collective of people who just want to have some fun, make some music for people to dance to and share good vibes with the world.
V: The name’s a Gossip Girl reference. We thought it was funny but also fits pretty well as the internet and social communication are themes that crop up in a lot of our songs.
What’s next for you?
V: We’re working on two more singles for later this year and hopefully some shows - maybe even a German one!!
A: You’ll have to wait and see!
J: We are only going to get bigger and better. We plan to be the biggest band in the world.
C: On the journey to finding out that answer myself.
