Hitparade.ch interviews The Overtones

Feb 20, 2012 by Chantal    No Comments    Posted under: Interviews

This interview was originally posted on Hitparade.CH in German http://hitparade.ch/interview.asp?id=542

Interview conducted by: Yvonne Zgraggen
Editors: Yvonne Zgraggen
Translated by: Chantal
Pictures are courtesy of Jenny McKay

Their debut album sold over 350,000 copies and packed concert halls on their first headline tour – “The Overtones” are already extremely successful in their native Great Britain. Now, the sympathetic musicians with great voices, conquer the rest of Europe. We met the good-humoured singers as part of their promo tour for an extensive interview.

hitparade.ch: Your debut album “Good Ol ‘Fashioned Love” was already released in the UK last year. Can you tell us what happened in the meantime and why you waited till now to bring out the album in Switzerland?

Mark: Our initial focus was on our home where we first wanted to get a foot in the door. Now we are able to add more and more countries. We cannot wait to spread our wings further to share our music with the rest of the world.

Mike: For us, this gradual development is important, we wanted to be absolutely ready for Europe.

Lachie: It was good to establish ourselves first in the UK. We can already count on a large fanbase that continues to grow – which show, among other things the continuing album sales.

hitparade.ch: You first got together in 2006 – now, six years later, we sit here and talk about your first album. Have there been times in the past, where you no longer believed that you would ever make it this far?

Mike: If we had not believed in it, we probably would not be standing here with full commitment. Of course there were hard times. But our strong friendship and bond with each other gave us the necessary support.

Timmy: The mutual support was crucial. Right now we are all incredibly grateful for being given the possibility of releasing an album. In the music world today this opportunity can no longer be taken for granted!

hitparade.ch: How did your friendship has changed due to the success?

Mike: We’ve hated each other ever since. (All laugh)

Darren: The friendship did not change specifically, we are like brothers and were very close before the success. Now we can spend even more time together.

Lachie: Since the record deal was signed, everything happened very quickly. It’s nice to be able to have these experiences together. As opposed to solo artists, we not only have a manager or the tour company here, but also our best friends.

hitparade.ch: Then you have not had enough of each other yet?

All together: No!

Lachie: Everything has only just begun! We are excited about our current situation and enjoy these fantastic opportunities.

Mark: Also, it would be foolish of us not to enjoy every second. We have been working extremely long and hard for our success.

hitparade.ch: Back to “Good Ol ‘Fashioned Love.” The album contains some great covers. How do you choose the songs, which you make into your own version?

Timmy: We have a list of possible songs for that. We especially like pieces, such as Rihanna’s “Only Girl (In The World)”, where fans may initially find it difficult to imagine an “Overtones” version. With our five voices, from bass to falsetto, a full sound can be created, where we polish it a long time until everything fits together.

hitparade.ch: Have you ever picked a song where the cover in the end did not work?

Mark: Yes, that happens. There are many classics that are covered often. But for us it is important to give the songs our own flavour. Original covers are not interesting. Our “old school” influences should be as noticeable as the inspirations of new music.

hitparade.ch: On the album there are also some original songs. Do you write songs as a group , or is there someone with a special talent in writing?

Darren: We do this together. Sometimes Mark has an idea, or Timmy will bring the melody – which is quite different. Together we complement each other perfectly.

hitparade.ch: Which is your favorite track on the album?

Darren: I have two favourites. “Gambling Man”, a song with great meaning for us, and “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” I like it very much.

Mike: That’s a tough question, I like all the songs on the album.

Lachie: But if you had to make up your mind?

Mike: (thinks) Oh … I’m proud of all the songs.

All: Mike simply answer the question! (All laugh)

Mike: I like “Sh-Boom”, the song is a lot of fun live, for us as well as the audience. Or “Say What I Feel”, I have to stop myself from jumping around the stage.

Mark: As Darren said, “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” – ​​which brings so much joy.

Timmy: I have the same opinion as Darren.

Lachie: “Gambling Man” – it’s a wonderful feeling when the fans sing your own song!

hitparade.ch: Your music is a mix of doo-wop, R & B and pop. Where did your love come from for this – as you call it – “old school” music?

Mike: First it comes from our parents. For me for example, my father played his tapes during the long car trips on holiday.

Timmy: My parents had a direct influence on my musical taste. In addition, artists such as Stevie Wonder and The Supremes, who are still played on the radio.

Mark: .. or on soundtracks! These classics simply live on.

Timmy: We want our music to pursue a certain longevity. Such as Amy Winehouse’s “Back To Black”, this music thrives on live instruments and not on computer sounds. In “Overtones” there are the different voices that count. Who knows, maybe in 30 years, “Gambling Man” can still be heard on the radio. That would be fantastic!

Lachie: When we sing together, thanks to our range of voices, the songs quickly get that 50’s/60’s-sound. In addition there are influences from the modern music. Timmy’s voice for example reminds you of Justin Timberlake.

Timmy: And Lachie sounds like Barry White.

hitparade.ch: Then you listen to a lot of 50’s/60’s music in your own time too, or what do you prefer?

Mike: A mixture of everything. On our iPods you will find both the Temptations and the Drifters, as well as Amy Winehouse, Cee-Lo Green and Justin Timberlake.

Darren: Or Bruno Mars! I love his album “Doo-Wops & Hooligans”.

Timmy: I like singing along to Cee-Lo Green, it has a very good mix of old and new sounds.

Darren: In between I like a little hip-hop too.

Mark: We bring together all the different influences that are present in our music.

hitparade.ch: Your most important instruments are your voices. Does anyone of you play a “real” instrument?

Mark: On our tour I played the piano at a packed London Palladium to “Only Girl (In The World)”, I was absolutely excited about it.

Timmy: He was so nervous, but he delivered a great performance. And … Mike, tell us about your guitar skills!

Mike: I know about four or five chords on the guitar. But that’s enough for some songs …

Lachie: … and it’s better than just two or three chords!

Timmy: I used to play the tin whistle, but the fingerings were too complicated for me. (All laugh)

Darren: Lachie and I can beat box. (The two begin to beat box, followed by general laughter)

The Overtones at Kaufleuten, Zurich by Jenny McKay

hitparade.ch: The upcoming showcase in Zurich Kaufleuten is a “ladies only” event.

All: (excited) Yeah, that’s great and we are so pleased!

Lachie: This is something we have never been done before, perhaps it might even be a little scary – in a good way, of course. (Laughs)

 hitparade.ch: This special event was the idea of The Overtones?

Darren: I would like to say yes, because it’s a brilliant idea.

Mike: We only learned of it several days ago. The label organized this gig, but I like the idea very much.

hitparade.ch: Do you think your music is listened to by more women than men?

Timmy: The majority, yes. But at the concerts many husbands, brothers or friends are there – we are particularly pleased with that. Sometimes we get Twitter messages from women who tell us that their partners have stolen the Overtones albums to listen to in the car. I think some men would like to be like Frank Sinatra or are a little jealous of Lachie’s bass voice.

Mark: In terms of age our audience is mixed as well, by the way. Whether they are 8 or 80 years old, whole families listen to The Overtones.
hitparade.ch: Last year the UK tour, currently promotion in Europe – what’s next?

All: Where do we go in March Lachie?

Lachie: Australia! After we visited the other home towns already, we are finally travelling to my home in Sydney in a month. In addition, we tour through the remaining parts of the country, which is going to be a cool time.

Darren: Will we go to the beach?

Lachie: I insist!

Mike: And a barbecue?

Lachie: Maybe my parents will organize a barbecue, yes.

All: Cool!

hitparade.ch: And after your time in Australia?

Lachie: Then we devote ourselves to recording the second album, which will be released in late 2012. I think this year will go by very quickly – “Boom” and will be Christmas soon. In addition, there is another UK tour in November. We may also come back to Switzerland.

Darren: For more “ladies only” gigs! (All laugh)

hitparade.ch: Then you are already writing new songs for the next album?

Mike: At the moment we gather ideas and make a list of possible covers.

Timmy: It is important not to let this development process to wait at the expense of the promotional tour.
hitparade.ch: Will the new album include more original songs or covers?

Mark: A good mix of it! We place great value in that.

Timmy: We are hoping for an album with at least six original songs.

Lachie: Our fans love the classics, so it is not an option not to do so.

hitparade.ch: And further concerts elsewhere in Europe are not scheduled yet?

Darren: We hope that our promotional tour is fruitful so we can come back soon.

Mike: The showcases are extremely important to us. The present, perhaps 400 people go home and tell their friends about “The Overtones.”

Timmy: We hope that this word-of-mouth advertising benefits in each country.

Mark: First of all, of course, in Switzerland, because here you have the best chocolate …

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