Exposed Vocals Interviews Two Of Substance
“Three lads from Runcorn & Liverpool who like to make Music – Aaron, Tommy & Grant.After Tommy & Grant finished their voluntary duties in Africa in early 2014, Aaron suggested starting a Band, and within a few months were already recording their Debut EP at Parr Street Studios. Not long after, they starting working heavily on writing their Debut Full Length Album, which is currently being recorded in Rockfield Studios.
Originally wanting to avoid a specific Genre, Two Of Substance experimented with as many different styles of Music as possible in their Self-Titled EP in order to get a feel on what their true calling for the Band’s Longevity was.
The EP was fairly received by those who listened to it, and it was from that point on that the Band decided to crack on with writing as many new songs as possible for their upcoming Album – which sparks influence from each of the Lad’s Personal Lives.
With 4 Music Videos up on Vevo, the EP available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play etc, Support from U.S Pop-punk band ‘Versus The World’ and enjoying every day as each one passes, Life is good for Two Of Substance.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Two Of Substance: We all grew up in the North West of England. Aaron (Guitarist/Vocalist) and Grant (Drummer/Pianist) went to the same school in a sub-urban town called Runcorn, and Tommy (Bassist/Vocalist) was raised in Liverpool. Becoming an Artist was never how we approached it, we just seen it as three friends who wanted to make music together. It all started when Tommy and Grant decided to volunteer in Africa. Having that experience made us want to come back home with a different life. Aaron and Grant had been in bands in the past, so it was sort of natural for the three of us to come together. No egos, no musical differences, just something organic and fun.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Two Of Substance: We really wish we had a very cool and inspiring story behind the name, but unfortunately it happened by accident. We were never fussed on the Name, so we went on ‘Band Name Generator’ as a laugh. We picked three random words from the suggestions and Viola! … Yes, we realise that is lame, but at least it sounds unusual and original!
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Two Of Substance: After we recorded our Debut EP, we decided to share it on Soundcloud (www.soundcloud.com/two-of-substance) with the option of only listening to it, not downloading. We did that because in this day and age, there are more Bands than Human beings, so it’s hard to grab genuine interest. We just stick with the times and realise that it gets harder and harder to please people. Once the EP was put on iTunes, that was when we discovered how demanding it is to stay fresh and relevant in people’s eyes. It’s pretty tough.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Two Of Substance: Focus on your own Band and nobody else’s. Comparing and Competing are not only a waste of time, but it physically and mentally drains you and then you can’t write/play good music. Just create your own bubble and have PATIENCE! Yes, it would be great if every Band could record an Album in 3 hours and brag about amazing it sounds, but Reality and Time do not mix with that Pipe dream. Be realistic on every approach and you should be fine.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Two Of Substance: We each use our own lives as inspiration because we know what we are talking about. Aaron fits his lyrics around the tune he has wrote, Tommy tries to fit in as many powerful meanings in his lyrics as he can to tell a creative story, and Grant uses a mixture of the two. We all take it in turns on songwriting, but it is a collaborative process every time.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Two Of Substance: We will have an official website next year, but for now we are just on Social Media – @TwoOfSubstance – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud, YouTube, VEVO, etc. We have our Self-titled EP on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and every other online outlet, and we have Music Videos on VEVO and other forms of our Music on our own YouTube Channel. Our name is pretty unique so it’s very easy to find us.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Two Of Substance: Invest it entirely in the Band – whether it be paying for Studio time, New Instruments, Equipment, Van hire for Touring, Paying for a Website domain, making Music Videos, staying up to date with Social Media, creating Merchandise, you name it, we’d do it.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Two Of Substance: Word of mouth is always the most effective, but obviously Social Media helps a lot as well. Performing Live is probably the quickest and most efficient method as it is us in our element showing the audience what our music is, in person.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Two Of Substance: We are recording our Debut Album in the World Famous Rockfield Studios (where Queen recorded Bohemian Rhapsody) and by the beginning of next year when it is completely finished, we plan on taking the Album on the Road! The album is called ‘Ascended From Colours’ and it features 12 tracks, all original and all heavily worked on. It’s our Holy Grail!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Two Of Substance: Sat at home wishing we were making music.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Two Of Substance: We tend to just go with the flow. Whenever Aaron is working 12 hour shifts or Tommy is at Wrestling Training or Grant is jetting off to another random Country, we all somehow find a way to knock off a few Practise sessions or Photoshoots or Music Videos or Recording in a Studio. It all comes naturally to us, it’s bizarre really.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2017?
Two Of Substance: Our first Album, seeing us perform it Live, and sticking around to see where we go from there!