“IT’S ALWAYS WHAT WE WANTED, TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT WE DO”: KEYSIDES DAN PARKER ON FESTIVAL SEASON AND NEW MUSIC
With festival season on the way, the UK’s rising bands are gearing up to take to as many stages under the sun as possible. Liverpool group Keyside are an indie pop/rock lovers dream, bringing rushing tunes to crowds up and down the country on multiple tours in the past year. The bands lead singer/songwriter Dan Parker talks about their summer ahead, musical inspirations, and the realities of getting out there in the current music industry.
Keyside’s last release “Rock My Love” hit streaming on 7th November, with the band heading out on a UK tour to follow. Dan says the catchy tune played well on the road.
“Yeah good tour, the Rock My Love tour. The tune is kind of a little sing-along song, just one of those, you know, O’s in the chorus. So very simple.
“We don’t necessarily try to write for anyone, really. But the songs come out to the point where people can catch on to them quite easily.
“I mean we’ve definitely changed a lot since our first single sound wise. I’d say its definitely got a lot more poppier since then.
“I think over time I’ve just got kind of better at writing songs, and I listen to a lot of pop anyway.”
Since releasing their first single “Lights Out” in 2022, the band’s music has developed, as well as their lyricism. Being a Liverpool band, there’s a whole host of iconic influences to learn from, with Dan having a particular soft spot for a fellow Liverpudlian group.
“I’d say The La’s are quite big inspirations to me, y’know Scouse band.
“I mean, if you asked a few people what are The La’s, a few people would say pop, a few people might say rock, pop rock. Who knows – only the La’s know.
“We’ve got a big heritage in Liverpool like, and we’re not shy to show we’re from Liverpool.
“Even though, you know, me and Ben are kind of the only ones born in Liverpool. The drummer’s (Oisin McAvoy) from Ireland and the bass player Max was born in Spain but he moved to Liverpool.
“We won’t shy away from the culture of Liverpool. I mean I can’t tone my accent down if I tried.
Keyside are hitting multiple big stages over festival season, including a home-town stop at Sound City in Liverpool on the 2nd of May.
“Y’know I’m just happy to be there, because I’d be there anyway if I wasn’t on stage; it’s great, surreal like.
“It’s the boss that we can do that because it’s something we just love doing anyway, so just being there is a reward in itself.
“It’s always what we wanted, to show the world what we do, what we talk about, what our songs are about. And then, people singing along, when that happens, it’s just a bonus.”
Starting out in the indie scene is never easy, with the industry side of the game constantly hitting smaller bands. However, the music is what keeps bands like Keyside chugging along and continuing to create.
“To start, it’s definitely a challenge, one hundred percent
“Support tours especially are very challenging. A headline tour, it’s your show so there’s a lot more leverage for expenses, stuff like that. (laughing) I’m getting very business now.
“You know it’s just one of them and I could explain it, but I’ve not got a solution to it.
“It’s just hard, it’s just part of it but everyone’s kind of in the same boat doing it with and there’s not one size fits all for everyone.
“But, we do music because it’s positive like and it’s something we like to do
“It’s a necessity on the business side of it and obviously that’s why people have managers and stuff to sort that out.
“We appreciate that’s because there’s a lot of artists out there who don’t have the privilege to have someone help them with that.”
Alongside Keyside, other big names in the scene like The Molotovs, Westside Cowboy and stage headliners Keo will be taking to the Sound City stage on the 2nd.
The group has supported and been supported by some amazing artists in the past, but what music are they liking themselves and who would they want as a support on their own headline tour?
“I mean we just got off tour with The Academic, and Red Rum Club was in October, and it was great.
“I mean there’s loads of bands [we’d have as a support], some great bands out there at the minute.
“We had Cherryholt on there last time and they’d be up there. The North are quite good as well. The Cases too.
“I’ve just seen a new single come out by The North, “I can’t sleep”, which is good, a good tune.”
With all these great bands that are starting to hit the line ups, what do Keyside bring that they don’t? Dan puts it short and sweet: “Just the vibes, ultimate vibes.
As for music on stage, “There’s definitely some singles coming that should hopefully be out before Neighbourhood [23rd-24th May].
“I can’t wait to get the sun lotion on, sick of the grey skies like.”
Heading to Neighbourhood Weekender, Sound City, Tramlines, Truck or Kendall Calling? Make sure you add Keyside into your itinerary now….
