EMQ’s With Slow Down World
EMQ’s With Slow Down World
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with UK Progressive Alt Rock band, Slow Down World. Huge thanks to their founder, Twig Mayhew, 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?
Twig Mayhew. This band has been my passion for over 12 years, going through numerous line-ups and locations. Originally formed while in Bristol, as well as being based in Plymouth later for a time. Currently practice in Exeter and most gigs have been focused around there. Probably over 20 former members.
The EPK states things in a more concise way, but it’s been a few singles and EPs released over the years, with the first album being created during Lockdown, Promised Land. The biggest recent change has been the vocalist, a very different style to the previous ones.
How did you come up with your band name?
It’s based on the Donovan’s 1976 album/song of the same name. An album that inspired Slow Down World’s title track and in turn the band name. Themes of Donovan run throughout the Slow Down World world songwriting.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
Devon, Teignbridge/Torbay. Original Metal bands around this area are on the decline unfortunately, especially since the closure of The Coach House in Paignton and Ryan’s Bar in Torquay. Exeter and Plymouth are typically the best place for the alternative scene in general, including Rock and Metal in places like The Cave and The Junction respectively. In which the live scene is truly still alive.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
A single from the upcoming EP, The Day of the Unconquered Sun. This features a video on YouTube.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Lyrically, Donovan, Blaze Bayley, Queensryche. Musically, Praying Mantis, Wishbone Ash, Queen, Genesis and Iron Maiden. (probably a fair bit of overlap between those two categories)
What first got you into music?
Music in general, probably hearing bands like Queen, Genesis, Manic Street Preachers, Guns n Roses, Bon Jovi while growing up, and for actually getting into writing and performing music; Iron Maiden, Trivium, Blaze Bayley, Queensryche among many others!
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Probably Blaze Bayley. Paul Di’Anno if that was asked a few years ago.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I reckon we’d go down well at Wacken. Which is probably a good reason to play there. Continental Europe is probably the best place for us.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Can’t recall any gifts!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Make more fans!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
John Lennon probably. As with the state of the world, he’d probably have a lot to say and write about. Unlike some other obvious choices, I feel as if he had more to provide before his untimely end. Or maybe Eddie Cochran.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Like – Running with musical/lyrical ideas and writing songs. That and however long later seeing them become recorded performed pieces.
Hate – Loading gear in/out? Dealing with petty band politics.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Only one thing? Wouldn’t know where to start with that limitation! Probably something protecting venues that receive noise complaints.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Donovan – Slow Down World (that or Iron Maiden’s The X Factor)
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?
FLAC (either ripped from CD or downloaded). Vinyl as a close second for the pure nostalgia/analogue pure-ness.
FLAC vinyl rips maybe?
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Probably one of the first gigs we ever did, at university in Bristol. Not our technically “best” gig, but definitely one of my favourites, as it was the first one we did to a large, energetic crowd that made me release that’s what I’m meant to do with my time.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Programming or something. Maybe some form of creative writing. So long as I can do something that creates.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
The concept of a dinner party is daunting.
What’s next for the band?
Gigs, gigs and more gigs. And hopefully some of the festivals I reached out to last year will actually reply this time around!
I guess we better record more music. I’ve got several albums written.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://slowdownworld.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL_ZfIoi0mY
https://www.facebook.com/SlowDownWorld
There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss!
Soft base, cake? Perhaps they should create a Jaffa biscuit and further confuse things.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I appreciate your time, reading my rambling! Hope you have a great day!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
