Lawson Interview
Lawson interview by Gary O
1. How did Lawson get together?
Adam – I was studying in Brighton at music college for a couple of years. I was looking for some sessional work when I saw Andy’s Myspace page. Andy was looking to set up a band which was more than I could hope for. We met a couple of drinks…….
Andy spoke to a new friend Ryan if he liked to play bass for this “band” and Ryan introduced Joel who played guitar.
The boys clicked first as friends with a little help from alcohol but it wasn’t long that clicking musically followed suit.
2. Who came up with the name Lawson and where there any names that didn’t make the cut?
“To start we named The Grove”
(Then the boys went through the names that were in the hat, I’m not sure which were really in the hat though – GaryO)
“Skin”
“Brody” (after Brody in Jaws)
“The Lost Boys”
“Ace Ventura”
“Die Hard”
“”Zoolander”
“Planet of The Apes”
We also had a brief stint as “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy” but we didn’t get a gig
They then get serious –
“The Grove” meant nothing and we wanted a meaningful name. Andy suffered from a brain tumour a few years back and the Doctor who performed the surgery was Dr Lawson.
Dr Lawson knows about being named after one of the best upcoming band in the UK. Not sure his kids will believe him.
3. Who inspired you to get into music on a personal note and/or who’s your favourite artist?
Adam – Robbie Williams – Knebworth DVD. Seeing the crowd was inspiration. On the drumming side, Taylor Hawkins and David Grohl from Foo Fighters.
Joel – Mum always wanted me to play music. Then hearing John Mayer in 2001, I could not put down his first album.
Andy – My Dad, he taught me how to play (mainly C, G and E Minor). The Beatles as well.
Ryan – Old stuff really. Guns N Roses, Bon Jovi influenced me to pick up a guitar. Duff McKracken. I saw Slash in Dublin last year, the best hour of my life.
4. Describe Lawson to someone who has never heard you?
Its kinda like guitar driven pop. Somewhere between Ed Sheeran and One Republic. Its like meaningful pop music.
Were not as cool or heavy but something like The Killers. Real musicians.
5. What’s the standout moment of 2011?
Signing a record deal!! Sitting in that office with Jay Z’s ten million singles sales plaque on the wall, glass of champagne.
Our first big gig supporting Avril Lavigne at Hammersmith Apollo. We played there before but only acoustic but with the big amplifiers’ and five and half thousand people screaming. The label stepped it up from there.
6. The Wanted have featured on American TV making waves in the USA. Would you like to follow that or you happy being the best band in the UK?
America is a massive market. The people we are working with and the label are very excited about getting us onto the American stage.
Our music is quite country inspired, kinda Taylor Swifty kind of stuff. We are also working with a producer who is LA based who has worked with the likes of Miley Cyrus, Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson. He knows exactly what sound will work other there. We want to go as far as possible.
7. Originally from Liverpool, Brighton, Nottingham and Sheffield, what would you consider your homecoming gig?
“Our” homecoming gig is London cause that’s where we started out as a band. Individually our own home towns and we will be playing them all at some point.
8. Is it sweeter that you’re not a manufactured band?
100%. Love the fact we came together ourselves. We did the whole thing of travelling around in a transit van gigging to three people. You don’t hear bands doing that anymore. We lost a lot of money doing it. We done all that and now we are playing bigger venues and soon arenas. We really appreciate it.
9. Who’s your number 1 on the list of collaborations?
Adam – John Mayer
Joel – John Mayer
Andy – Paul McCartney or Bruno Marrs
Ryan – Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Any hot American female.
10. What’s your favourite Lawson track at the moment?
Adam – Standing in the Dark
Andy – When She Was Mine
Ryan – When She Was Mine
Joel – When She Was Mine
11. What are your plans for 2012?
We have a single out in spring
Album out in the summer-ish
Doing the Wanted Tour
Also doing the last ever gig with Westlife in Dublin
We just want to gig as much as possible cause that’s what we love doing best.
12. Finally you are about to go on stage where Oasis were discovered. Excited?
We didn’t know that until now!!!!
(Steve – Band Manager, tells the story of how Oasis were discovered after being support acts)
Fingers crossed we can have similar
