EMQ’s with GRIMGOTTS
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with London, UK based Symphonic Power Metal band Grimgotts. Huge thanks to vocalist Andy Barton for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
We’re called Grimgotts: The band was formed by myself (Andy Barton) and my mate called Fraser Watt – We started as a joke internet project back in 2015, and we ended up releasing an EP called “Here be Dragonlords” that year. We recruited random people online to play on the EP’s up until 2018 – By then, David Hills, a friend from University joined, along with Fabio Garau, Nelson Moreira & Mo Abdelgadir. Since then, we released “Dragons of the Ages” (2019) and have played several shows. In 2020, we’re releasing our 3rd album, “Tales, Sagas & Legends” – We’re releasing the album in 3 instalments, with ‘Tales’ having been released already back in May.
How did you come up with your band name?
As we started off as a joke Harry Potter themed band, we decided to reference the Wizarding bank of ‘Gringotts’ – we swapped the ‘n’ for an ‘m’ and the name was born!
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
The band originally formed in the West Sussex town of Horsham – there were some local bands, but the gigs were small. Eventually, the band members were all based in London which as you can guess has an AMAZING scene.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our latest release is ‘Tales’ – the first instalment of our 2020 album “Tales, Sagas & Legends”.
Grimgotts – Tales (Full EP)
Who have been your greatest influences?
Much of our inspiration comes from the Power Metal giant bands: Helloween, Rhapsody, Dragonforce & Nightwish. We also take influence from the likes of Hans Zimmer & Two Steps From Hell.
What first got you into music?
Iron Maiden – For me (Andy), it was Iron Maiden – I found “The Number Of The Beast” album in my dad’s CD collection when I was 6 years old and I loved it.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I think a collaboration with a group such as Two Steps From Hell would be amazing – we use big orchestration for our music, so working with those guys would be amazing. Having said that, a drinking song with Alestorm would be epic!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Wacken – no debate. It’s an amazing festival and would be our dream to be able to step out on that stage
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
We had a fan inform us that he had a cartoon and that we were included in the cartoon – apparently, we rise and play a song to give courage before a battle or something. Pretty cool, but pretty weird!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
We’d just like to thank them for their support, it means the world to us and we wouldn’t be able to continue doing what we do without them!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Dio – I got too drunk at Wacken one year and missed him play. I didn’t mind as I was seeing him at Bloodstock a few weeks later, but then he went and died! Gutted.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Writing is by far the best part of being a musician – it’s allows you to be creative and expressive. Recording is horrible and knackering.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I think the over-saturation could be an issue – there’s probably hundreds of amazing artists that don’t get the recognition they deserve. Having said that, you can make music in your room these days, meaning that creating music is accessible for many who before wouldn’t have been able to. It’s a tough one.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Reckoning Night” by Sonata Arctica – WHAT AN ALBUM!
(Totally have to agree with this answer – Rick)
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Hard to say, all are great for different reasons – probably CD.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Our first gig in 2018 was special – it was such an amazing experience being on the stage. I myself hadn’t performed live for almost 10 years! I loved it.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Well I currently work in Digital Marketing, so I would probably be focussed on that…
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
The lads in the band, we’re all good mates – the extra would be anyone who can bear being in our company for a few hours.
What’s next for the band?
Once all the EPs are out this year, we’ll be focussed on gigs – we’ve got 2 festivals in 2021 already and we hope for many more!
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
We like to direct people from our Social Media to our Bandcamp page – it’s a great platform; you can either listen to our music for free or download it. We also direct users to Spotify as much as possible!
www.grimgotts.bandcamp.com/
www.open.spotify.com/artist/0TrAygcWyGMmI6J40tiG6L
www.facebook.com/grimgottsband/
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Cake – the clue is in the name! But I’d dunk a Jaffa cake in my cup of tea, whereas dunking a Victoria sponge in my tea would be barbaric.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Check out “Tales” on any streaming site and stay tuned for “Sagas” in August and “Legends” this winter!
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