AMPED – SIRACUSE | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Cheltenham based trio Siracuse will send you into a dreamlike state with their indie brit pop inspired psychedelia. The band have come a long way since their debut single Become Lights was released in 2016. Their debut EP Control in 2017 gained a lot of traction for the trio which saw them being featured on Radio X and in 2020 released their first full album Forever. Having recently signed to Vibrant Sky Records, Siracuse re-released Forever in March this year featuring three brand new songs.

Having made it all the way down the top 25 artists in the Lakefest Amped Stage Competition semi-final (which will see the winning act prized £5K and a place on Lakefest’s main stage line up) Siracuse took to the stage at Bristols The Exchange last week with 8 other semi-finalist. The trio never made the grand finale, however Siracuse will play the festivals Amped Stage this summer. We spoke to the band to find out their thoughts on the competition so far.

How would you describe your sound in three words?

Britrock. Indie. Shoegaze.

Shortlisted from 543 artists down to just 25 – how did that feel?

Felt great to get down to the last 25. The calibre was high in the semi finals, but we just did our thing and enjoyed the night. It felt great to be there playing out of that many who applied.

Most competitions have only one winner, were you shocked to find out there was also an opportunity to play the Amped stage?

That was a lovely bonus to get a slot on the Amped stage aswell.

What can festival goers expect from your set?

Big choruses. Driving guitars, some psychedelic vibes. Our sounds about creating a wall of sound between the three of us, bass, drums and guitar and just letting it go..I grew up listening to bands like The Verve, Oasis, Exit Calm and Jesus and Marychain so can’t hide these influences but it’s three or four chords, loads of reverb and and a decent melody. I think it’s a bit punk rock in a way.

Who is one band/artist you want to catch at Lakefest?

Embrace. The Good Will Out is still one of my favourite albums of the 90’s. Anthems!

Who stood out for you at the semi final?

Alex Ohm. He’s got some pipes on him and No Illusions is like Ashcroft / Unkle. Looking forward to watching him again. All the semi finalists were excellent though. Genuinely were.

Of all the bands competing who would you like to see win the prize?

John our bass player was really into Two Pounds Down, Will was digging Kisskie and I thought Laurie Wright and his band gave a strong performance. So either of these really.

What else have you got planned as a band this year?

Our next single ‘All to You’ is coming out towards end of June to follow on from ‘Saviour’. We’ve got a show in Oxford on June 16th at The Jericho which we’re really excited about, supporting The Institutes and The Kynd. Both class bands. And in addition to Amped, you can also catch us on the Funky Town Stage at Lakefest on Sat 12th August at 1.30pm. After Summer it’s going to be working on our second album.

One track of yours that everybody should listen to?

Saviour. It’s a Summer number.

If we see you at the bar, what you having?

Lager thanks. See you there.