Gotts Street Park - Interview + Ivory Single
Having been releasing music for just over 3 years, Gotts Street Park have produced for an eye-catching list of collaborators, including, Brits Critic’s Choice Winner Celeste, Yellow Days, Kali Uchis, Greentea Peng and Rejjie Snow, as well as releasing their own debut EP ‘Volume One’. Inspired by the DIY ethos of soul music, early hip-hop and the throwback era of songs being created and recorded from scratch in legendary studios, Gotts Street Park perform and record everything live in studio from their current old mill studio in Leeds and previously in their home-built studio in a shared house in Armley, a tough corner of west Leeds.
Their forthcoming EP is due out on November 27th and in addition to Rosie Lowe, features Pip Millet, Grand Pax, Zilo and more. Sonically, ‘Volume 2’ is a lighter, more optimistic offering than its predecessor though it retains the band’s smokey, inimitable trademark brew of soul, hip hop, R&B and Jazz.
We sat down with Gotts Street Park, to talk about the new EP.
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
We all met through the music college scene in Leeds. Me (Tom - Keys) and Joe (guitar) were studying Jazz and we all shared a load of similar influences and tastes.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Influenced by lots of artists from back in the day. In terms of current artists Nick Hakim, Michael Kiwanuka and Solange would be amazing to work with.
3. Your new EP ‘Volume Two’ is out on November 27th, are you able to tell us if there were any hurdles with making it, due to Covid 19?
Thankfully the bulk of the EP was made before lockdown. The tune ‘Everything’ with Rosie Lowe was an old idea but developed with her remotely through lock down.
We’re finding lock down is preventing us from getting into the studio with artists for our next release which isn’t ideal but we will continue as much as possible.
4. How would you describe your sound?
Music with a vintage aesthetic. Cinematic soul with a hip-hop influence.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as artist's?
Getting our music on wax was a definite highlight.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Get a lawyer.
7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?
Pip Millet, Kambu and Wesley Joseph.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Donny Hathaway - Live, Nils Frahm - All Melody, MF Doom/Madlib - Madvilliany.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
Making nice food, fresh air and nature, pub (before lock down).
10. Name Three things you can't live without when you're in the studio?
Coffee, snacks and electricity.
Check out the new single “Ivory” below.
Words - Ed Lindsay