A QUICK CHAT WITH BRIXTON ALLEY

YOU ARE CREATIVELY REACHING NEW HEIGHTS, WHAT STANDS OUT AS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT MOVING TO AUSTRALIA AND NEARLY PLAYING 100 GIGS?

Probably our proudest moment(s) so far have been the tour supports we’ve played recently - The Terrys, Pricey and Surf Trash. Having landed in Melbourne just in time for the pandemic and spending the best part of two years in lockdown, we are over the moon to be getting the recognition from Aussie artists that we listen to and love. Being able to share the stage with artists we look up to, as we head towards our 100th show in Aus since the pandemic has been an amazing experience.

OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS YOU HAVE PLANTED YOURSELF IN THE AUSTRALIAN  MUSIC INDUSTRY, HAVE YOU FOUND MANY NEW INFLUENCES AND IF SO, HOW HAVE THEY AFFECTED YOUR SONGWRITING / SOUND ?

We’ve never really consciously taken influence from elsewhere, which has always made it tricky when people have asked us what type of music we play, but certainly with our time in Aus and especially Queensland, we have noticed a change from the music we released when we first arrived here. In many ways, it’s gone back to a style that’s similar to some of our older stuff in terms of being a bit more upbeat and fun. The real influence the Aussie scene has had on us has probably been the lifestyle aspect. Certainly in Queensland, people are very laid back and up for a good time and we feel that is coming through in our music stylistically.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE SOMETHING ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY WHAT WOULD IT BE?

One thing we would change would be the relationship between grassroots artists and people higher up in the industry. There’s a movement in Brisbane at the moment where bigger artists are going out of their way to support the local scene - going to gigs, supporting up and coming bands and offering help, advice and opportunities where they can and it’s really great to see. It would be awesome if other people from the industry could do the same, sort of like the bygone era of A&Rs turning up to shows to find the next big thing. Not everyone can afford the best production, or promotion on their new releases, but they might put on an awesome live show. Given that playing live is really the main way for artists to make money these days, it would be great to get back to a place where gigs are attended by industry professionals on the regular.

IS THERE ANY BUCKET LIST VENUES / SHOWS YOU WANT TO DO THAT YOU HAVEN’T DONE YET AND WILL THAT LEAD TO A HEADLINE TOUR ANY TIME SOON ?

A bucket list show would probably be a big Aussie festival, like Splendour. Being able to land something like that would really help to cement us as part of the scene we love over here.

Otherwise, a national tour support would be amazing. We’ve done a couple of QLD / East Coast supports now, so it would be great to step up and hit the road around the rest of the country with a big artist.

I HAVE SEEN A BEER BOTTLE OPENED WITH THE INSIDE OF AN ELBOW… DO YOU HAVE ANY WEIRD TALENTS?

Ben (bass + vocals) can down a pint of Guinness in six seconds and eat a whole McDonald’s cheeseburger in one bite.

Jonny (guitar + vocals) can do the whole of Eminem Rap God and actually does the super fast section live in a mashup we perform where the song is mixed with Old Town Road by Little Nas X.

Alex (drummer) has no talent.

WHO WAS YOUR FIRST CELEBRITY MUSICIAN CRUSH INDIVIDUALLY OR AS A COLLECTIVE?

Jonny - Cheryl Cole

Ben - Christina Aguilera

Alex - Mel B (from the Spice Girls)

CD’S, CASSETTES OR VINYL?

Vinyl. You can’t beat that authentic sound. Plus, Alex is always mesmerised watching vinyl players, trying to figure out how they make a sound - drummers, eh?!

AS A COLLECTIVE IF YOU HAD TO LIVE OFF ONE COMBINATION SANDWICH AND DRINK COMBO WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHO IN THE BAND WOULD BE THE BEST AT MAKING IT?

Back in the UK there’s a shop called Boots. Basically a pharmacy, but they sell bangin’ sandwiches and they do great meal deals. So, we’d recreate one of those:

Chicken salad sandwich, with an orange Oasis to drink. (Oasis is the king of non-fizzy fruit drinks).

Made by Ben - the best chef in the band.