The Crayon Set have released their single, Moment, from their upcoming album Downer Disco, which is due out this summer. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
The Crayon Set formed in 2010 and quickly came to prominence when they won a national competition to play the Sundae in the Park Festival in London.
Founder/songwriter Robert Baker says explains: "The idea behind the band, as the name suggests - was for it to incorporate different colours i.e. musical styles, influences, musicians and for it to evolve with each album.
"And for it to be inclusive. So, I think it will be a life-long project and it means it can continue even if some members come and go. Although I am very reliant on the other crayons adding their magic."
Speaking about Moment, Baker says the song took years to write, swapping and re-writing the song and with Covid restrictions in place, there were more delays. "The single is about depression and not giving up on life," he says.
Tell us three things about yourself?
Straight in there - this is like speed-dating.
I was born in England but grew up in the scenic, sunny-south east of Ardmore, Co. Waterford.
I have two kids
I play music in a band called The Crayon Set, which I spend most of my free time trying to write songs for. That and watching Everton FC on dodgy internet streams.
How would you describe your music?
I'd describe it as pop, but not exactly chart pop (not that I’ve any clue what’s in the charts). Mostly catchy pop songs, with more synths of late, and a mix of male and female vocals. We’ve been compared to Arcade Fire and Belle and Sebastian a few times, so there’s probably something in that.
Who are your musical inspirations?
It would be a long list but lots of the usual suspects - The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Kinks, Bob Dylan, The Band, Velvet Underground, Nina Simone, Van Morrison, Curtis Mayfield, Paul Simon, Caetano Veloso, David Bowie, Kraftwerk, Fleetwood Mac, The Cars, The Pretenders, Kate Bush, Prince, R.E.M, The Cure, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Pavement, Teenage Fanclub, Yo La Tengo, Phoenix, The Notwist, Wild Beasts, Big Thief, The National.
How did you occupy yourself during the coronavirus lockdown?
Luckily, I haven’t really been adversely affected. I have definitely preferred working from home – there’s now more hours in the day - long may that continue. Been drinking a worrying amount of coffee - it had already been at an unhealthy level. I did the usual cooking and baking with my kids. Bit of painting - the DIY variety that is. It’s been great for getting more music done too, although not for meeting up with the rest of the band. Reading - I really enjoyed Willy Vlautin’s Don't Skip Out On Me and Lean on Pete. Really beautiful and heart-breaking in equal measures. Currently reading David Byrne’s How Music Works - it was written eight years ago and it’s amazing how much has changed in music even in the short space of time. Also, like most people, generally reading more news and current affairs - I try my best to limit these to The Economist and The New York Times - as opposed to reading everything that is being screamed at me on Twitter and Facebook. Although it is hard to resist all that juicy click-bait.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Been listening to lots of Carole King who I’d never really thought was for me but now I’m hooked. She was briefly in a band called The City before her solo career. I love this one:
Also, lots of the demos she recorded that became big hits for other artists. I love the Monkees’ version but this could be even better I think:
Favourite lyric of all time?
Moon River is playing in my head about 90% of the time so I’ll pick that. Love the "my huckleberry friend" bit… it’s kind of funny and sad at the same time, but maybe that’s just me! "Two drifters, off to see the world, There's such a lot of world to see, We're after the same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend, My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me."
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
I don’t ever get tired of Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) by Stevie Wonder. It’s just infectious and uplifting. Think his gig in Dublin might have been the last gig I was at too - it was incredible. Not a bad last gig to see before Covid messing all that up.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can listen on Spotify and the other streaming services. And we occasionally hang out in the usual haunts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It’s @thecrayonset.
