Fresh Newcastle Upon Tyne Duo DRIVE | Release Their Debut Single "Old Cassette Tape" From Their Upcoming EP
Drive is an electronic, eclectic, genre-bending, duo from Newcastle Upon Tyne. Jake Fletcher provides vocals and plays guitar. Andy Bell plays guitar and keyboards. Drive is influenced by some of their favourite artists: The Blue Nile, Bleacher, Phoenix and The 1975 and Arcade Fire to name a few. Inspired by the films of John Hughes, analog and the mediums of 80’s nostalgia, Super8, Polaroids, VHS and Cassette Tapes feed their imagination like they are discovering the medium with fresh eyes and impassioned energy, for the very first time. Signed to Soul Kitchen Recordings the label behind the likes of Jake Bugg has said they are excited to release Drive’s debut single: Old Cassette Tape, which will follow up with a debut EP. Old Cassette Tape is the soundtrack to coming of age, written and produced by Drive, mixed by Cenzo Townsend and mastered by Barry Grint. Drive made their debut appearance at last year’s Hit The North festival and are looking forward to being able to play live again as soon as the lockdown lifts restrictions on music concerts. Meanwhile, they remain in the studio working on their debut album due early next year.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE VISUAL REFERENCE WE FOUND FOR - DRIVE - OLD CASSETTE TAPE?
It’s pretty spot on! We were definitely trying to create something that had a retrospective feel with a modern twist.
HOW DO YOU KNOW EACHOTHER?
We’ve been friends with each other for years but somehow we’ve always played in different bands. Initially, Andy began producing my old band but it quickly became more collaborative between the two of us and Drive happened as a direct result.
WHAT DRIVES YOU TO MAKE MUSIC?
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact reason other than it’s something we’ve always felt the urge to do. Although it can be as much of an escape as it is a therapy there are definitely things about yourself that you can explore more openly when making music.
WHAT IS YOUR DEBUT SINGLE OLD CASSETTE TAPE ABOUT?
Lyrically it’s about taking that first step into a new relationship and the element of the unknown that comes with that. Overall we wanted the track to feel like you might've found it on an old mixtape and you're hearing it at that crossroad in your life.
WHAT DIFFERENTIATES YOUR MUSIC FROM OTHER BANDS?
It’s that we have a wide range of influences that we’re not afraid to incorporate in our music. There isn't a formula that we put into every Drive song so it keeps things exciting!
HOW MANY LABELS DID YOU APPROACH BEFORE YOU GOT SIGNED?
We didn't approach anyone, we've been lucky enough to be signed and work with Soul Kitchen on past projects and they've always given us the support and free reign to be creative as possible. When Drive happened we couldn't imagine doing it with anyone else.
IF YOU COULD GO OPEN A SHOW FOR ANY ARTIST WHO WOULD IT BE?
One of our all-time favourite bands is Phoenix so we’d love to open a show for them. We’ve learned a lot from listening to their records but we've never actually seen them live so it would be a two birds one stone scenario!
WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH?
Jack Antonoff, his Bleachers records are a major source of inspiration for us and he always seems to bring out the best in the artists he works with.
WHERE HAVE YOU PERFORMED?
We’ve only played one show as Drive and it was at last years Hit The North festival in Newcastle. It was nice to take a break from the studio and to road test our songs. The turn out was great and it has definitely got us eager to play more shows once the world starts to be a bit more normal again.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?
Always ignore the stranger who comes up to you after a show to tell you something could've been better. The last band they were in probably broke up in 2005 and for good reason.
‘WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THE BAND?’
Jake: I do bits of production for other artists and teach a foundation degree songwriting course. I’m basically making or talking about how music is made all of the time so I can't complain! Andy: I manage a recording studio in Newcastle where I produce and mix artists also. We don't really spend that much time apart from each other, but when we are, I'm generally trying to catch up on the most recent test match.
‘HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO DEVELOP/GROW THE BAND?’
Putting out a steady stream of new music in preparation for our debut album in 2021 is really important to us. We’re hoping that with each release we’ve got lined up Drive will continue to grow. Sonically we’re fortunate enough to work out of a great studio so the equipment in there will continue to push the recording side of things.
‘HOW DO YOU WRITE SONGS/CHOOSE MATERIAL?’
Usually one of us comes in with an idea, it could be 30 a second instrumental or a whole demo. Together, along with our co-producer Steve Angus, we start putting flesh on the bone. People are always surprised that there’s little to no arguments during the writing process but we all trust each other. It sounds obvious but in terms of choosing material we always put out our strongest songs, some just don't make it out of the studio.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY 2020?
2020 has thrown a spanner in the works for what you might call the traditional milestones of success. But for us, it’s still about making your own art on your own terms and connecting it with people.
"WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT EACH OF YOU GAVE SOMEONE?”
There’s a great pizza place around the corner from the studio. We always alternate on who pays the bill so we've definitely both bought each other slices recently. Does that count?
WHAT QUESTION WOULD YOU WANT TO BE ASKED THAT NO ONE HAS ASKED YOU BEFORE?
Who is your favorite member of Drive?
WHY SHOULD SOMEONE GO SEE ONE OF YOUR SHOWS?
We’re making music that will hopefully resonate with a large group of people through important moments in their lives. When we start gigging again we want each show to be bringing together that community however large or small that may be!