Riffed

We spoke to Michael Freeman, the frontman of Grimsby rockers Kismet Ryding. Kismet are a huge band in their home town, playing gigs left, right and centre. They have recently been touring Europe also, showcasing their incredible music accross the continent. Kismet released their debut EP 'Look. See. Don't. Trip.' which was limited to 100 copies. If you are one of the lucky ones to have a copy, hang on to it as we can guarentee that it'll be worth a few pounds in the future. This is what Freeman had to say to us:

1) Who are your biggest inspirations?

As a band we have a wide array of different influences that overhaul our personalities, I (Mike) take lyrical influence from Eminem and Faithless, as these were two artists I loved listening to when growing up. But now I listen to anything from Electro Swing, to Experimental music of all types.

There is a rumour in the band that Jazz loves his girl bands, but he always denies this..... He claims to have a love for John Bonham and tries to prove it by investing in vintage equipment that he shares with the late legend, and by taking on similar drum patterns and fills. He always is deeply inspired by Keith Moon, and any 60/70s rock. He is also an avid listening to Brit Rock (something that we all share) but he definitely has a Girls Aloud CD somewhere.

Josh's main inspirations stem from Brit Rock and 70s music also, with his favourite guitar piece coined as Stevie Ray Vaughan's take on Little Wing. Josh does have his vices though and we rib him a bit for listening to Paramore, but I personally have never listened to them so I might be missing out! I do wish he would stop wearing his Paramore T-Shirt in public though!

Tom doesn't listen to music - he lives, feels, breaths, and I think even his blood is made out of crotchets and quavers. His inspirations are vast and he absorbs everything that makes him feel good, and he is constantly searching for the next song that will stop a group of people in their tracks, and force them into listening.

2) Favourite gig you've played?

This is a tough question as their have been so many. I think the band collectively agree that when we played Markthalle in Hamburg, something definitely happened - Tom got that in to it he fell over (not missing a note I might add) - and the stage had been graced by so many greats, the room itself had an atmosphere about it. Before the gig we was given a book showing some pictures of past artists that we was sharing a dressing room with, it included a very naked RHCP, and a not so naked Kurt Cobain, donning his infamous 90s baggy Jumper.

My Personal favourite gig was definitely a pub in Scunthorpe, where we wrote a couple of songs instead of doing a set, because the only person in the audience was asleep with his dog at the bar.

3) As fellow Grimbarians, which gig venue in Grimsby do you prefer and do you think there should be more?

Yardbirds is obviously awesome, great sound and layout, cheap drinks and a proper gig feel to it. There is a new venue down Freeman Street called the warehouse, that we have had a jam in but not done a gig, that looks like the real deal in there, cant wait to play that. But in terms of actual Venues, there are non that cater for an intermate audience - Spiders Web in Cleethorpes is always a cracking atmosphere and has the right shape about it, but I think its a case of setting up and playing where ever you can in this town, and people certainly do that, which makes for a great musical community! I think we if added more venues it would saturate the audiences, and we wouldn't have that community spirit that you see at all the local gigs, so I think we are doing alright as it is, its one of the best towns for music i've seen during the time spent in the band!

4) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Pyramid Stage.

5) Any plans for releases and/or tours?

We are spending a bit of time writing and honing our live set, but we do have recording plans for new songs. We will be releasing our next single from Look.See.Don't.Trip in the not to distant future, and we are planning a town tour in August, which is coming together nicely. www.kismetryding.com for developments on that !

6) Who's on your playlist?

I can only speak for myself here, but at the minute i'm big on Bombay Bicycle Clubs new album, I've recently started listening to the Foals, which is alright - War on Drugs, huge band for me at the minute.... and this crazy band called GRIZ, who just sound like Glastonbury at 3am. All in all quiet a summery set up going on.

Cheers.

Cheers Mike for the interview. Huge pleasure. If you're local to Grimsby, visit The Warehouse on the 14th of June were Kismet are supporting fellow RIFFED introducing artists The Brookes alongside Albion, tickets are only £3.00, so snap them up whilst you can.

Follow Kismet Ryding on Twitter : @KismetRyding

'Like' Kismet Ryding on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/KismetRydinguk

Or visit Kismet Ryding's webpage : http://www.kismetryding.com/

Purchase their debut EP via iTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/look.see.dont.trip-ep/id71091560

Listen to Kismet Ryding on Youtube : http://www.youtube.com/user/KismetRyding

RIFFED x