Interview With 'Rainbreakers'

Firstly, introduce yourselves and tell us a little bit about the band and how you came to be?

Hey! I'm Ben! Rainbreakers are all about groove and we love a groove! Myself, Sam (drummer) and Pete (bass) started playing together back in school. We used to get turned away from the pubs we had been booked to play in because we weren't old enough to be in there! They let us in once they realised we were the band they had booked! We picked it all up again after a few years apart due to uni etc and starts jamming out stuff we liked the sound of. That was when Rainbreakers were born! Our sound started to evolve with the new influences we were taking in from bands like Gary Clark Jr, London Souls and Monophonics. Next thing we know we are out and about playing all over the country to new faces and the feedback we were getting was great so we just carried on. Charlie has just joined us and is fitting in really well. Super nice guy and really immersing himself into what we do.

What were you all up too prior to the band, was this always the chosen path or did you have other dreams and aspirations?

Mostly education. I was working full time as a salesman. Nothing exciting. I was in a folk band for a couple of years which was really interesting to be part of. Lots of harmonies and fingers in ears! Pete was also in a folk rock group whilst he was uni too.

Tell us about your latest EP and why our readers should check it out.

'Blood Not Brass' is our latest EP. Available through all normal routes for a download but you can grab a physical one though our website (www.therainbreakers.com). You should check it out because you might just like it!?

Who would you say is the bands main song writer or is it a group effort and where do you draw your inspiration lyrically and musically from?

We write as a collective on the whole. Songs begin as jams then I try and work in a melody. From that we extrapolate any words I may have sung that we feel fit the mood or emotion that we are trying to portray. After that we sit down, listen and put words down on paper.

As a band what do you believe is your greatest achievement to date?

Being nominated for emerging artist in the national UK Blues Awards.

Have you ever come face to face with someone within the music scene who has left you awestruck and why?

We gigged with The London Souls in a basement of a pub in London. They were touring with Catfish And The Bottlemen, who bizarrely we also supported about 3 years ago before they went huge! London Souls were doing a one of headline show and it was like meeting our modern day heroes. They were super cool and went for drinks after and chatted all things music. Highlight for me.

What do you enjoy most about touring?

I actually enjoy the constant playing. Something happens after you have been on tour for a while. The songs become real tight and you just relax into them. Of course meeting fans new and old is always a pleasure too!

If we were to head out to one of your live shows what can ourselves and others expect?

Some groovy, riffy, soulful vibes mixed with some serious punch!

If you had one artist/band that you could go on tour with tomorrow who would it be and why?

Our good mates the Tom Walker Trio from Birmingham! They are sound lads and we just get a little messy afterwards and have right laugh!

You can spend an hour with a musical icon living or dead, who would you pick, why and what would you speak about?

For me. I'd like to talk to Adam Duritz from Counting Crows. I think his lyrics are beautifully written. Anna Begins is one of my all time favourite songs from their debut album August and Everything After.

And finally and most importantly is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?

Of course it is! How can there even be any doubt???

'Blood Not Brass' is available now.