Interview With Southbound by Matt Bladen
MoM: Give us an introduction to the band for anyone that doesn't know you. Band name, members, style etc
Southbound: We’re SouthBound - we like to describe ourselves as “alternative metal” but that’s literally just because we don’t even know what category to put ourselves in. We’re probably the softest of the bands involved in Metal 2 The Masses. The band consists of drummer Tom Witcombe, bassist Kyle Chaplin, rhythm guitarist Harri Wyatt-Jones, lead guitarist Morgan Price, and vocalist & guitarist Megan Jenkins.
MoM: Elephant in the room. How have you coped with the pandemic? What have you been up too?
Southbound: The beginning of the pandemic definitely hit the wind out of our sails, the same for most people that are a part of the local music scene. We were starting to gain a tiny bit more traction (by that I mean people weren’t seeing our name on a lineup and going “who?” as much) and had released our EP ‘Even Angels Sin’ in January 2020 so we were gearing up for a summer full of gigs and festivals to show everyone what we had created. Other than that, we’ve all found it to be really beneficial. Granted, the last gig we played was in McCann’s on the 13th March but having time off and away from everything has given us a chance to sort things out that we’ve been meaning to do for ages.
MoM: Give us an introduction to the band for anyone that doesn't know you. Band name, members, style etc
Southbound: We’re SouthBound - we like to describe ourselves as “alternative metal” but that’s literally just because we don’t even know what category to put ourselves in. We’re probably the softest of the bands involved in Metal 2 The Masses. The band consists of drummer Tom Witcombe, bassist Kyle Chaplin, rhythm guitarist Harri Wyatt-Jones, lead guitarist Morgan Price, and vocalist & guitarist Megan Jenkins.
MoM: Elephant in the room. How have you coped with the pandemic? What have you been up too?
Southbound: The beginning of the pandemic definitely hit the wind out of our sails, the same for most people that are a part of the local music scene. We were starting to gain a tiny bit more traction (by that I mean people weren’t seeing our name on a lineup and going “who?” as much) and had released our EP ‘Even Angels Sin’ in January 2020 so we were gearing up for a summer full of gigs and festivals to show everyone what we had created. Other than that, we’ve all found it to be really beneficial. Granted, the last gig we played was in McCann’s on the 13th March but having time off and away from everything has given us a chance to sort things out that we’ve been meaning to do for ages.
We had a brand new logo designed by Studio Rbnsn, had a promo shoot done with Stu Rowles, and finally managed to get into the studio with Made by MJD to record our new single ‘On The Rise’. This year has meant that we had a chance to discover new music and use the inspiration to reinvent and reimagine our set into something completely new. We’ve pretty much changed the entire set from our last gig because we’ve written so much new music and rewritten what we already had, so that those returning to one of our gigs will be able to experience something brand new from us.
MoM: What experience have you had with Bloodstock/M2TM in the past?
Southbound: Well we were supposed to play last year in the second heat, but everything went into lockdown the week of it. So we haven’t had much of an experience, I guess. It’s a brand new experience for all five of us in the band and it's one that I know we’re all looking forward to!
MoM: How are you feeling entering this slightly restructured M2TM format?
Southbound: It’s definitely exciting! Having a new and restructured format doesn’t bother us in the slightest because we’re all just so excited to play a gig again. I can’t lie, we’re all a little nervous because it's been so long since we’ve performed for anyone but ourselves in a practice room but we’re all extremely glad we can get up and do so in a safe manner again.
MoM: What would it mean to play Bloodstock? Would it be more significant doing so this year, after everything that's happened with live music?
Southbound: It would be the most amazing experience any of us could hope for - I think it would be the peak of our careers and we could quit then and there and be happy with what we had achieved in the four years of the band being active.
MoM: Give us a three word rundown of what to expect in your performance?
Southbound: Probably too soft
Final Thought: They describe themselves as 'too soft' but can they wrap M2TM in a big blanket, lulling them into voting for them.
MoM: What experience have you had with Bloodstock/M2TM in the past?
Southbound: Well we were supposed to play last year in the second heat, but everything went into lockdown the week of it. So we haven’t had much of an experience, I guess. It’s a brand new experience for all five of us in the band and it's one that I know we’re all looking forward to!
MoM: How are you feeling entering this slightly restructured M2TM format?
Southbound: It’s definitely exciting! Having a new and restructured format doesn’t bother us in the slightest because we’re all just so excited to play a gig again. I can’t lie, we’re all a little nervous because it's been so long since we’ve performed for anyone but ourselves in a practice room but we’re all extremely glad we can get up and do so in a safe manner again.
MoM: What would it mean to play Bloodstock? Would it be more significant doing so this year, after everything that's happened with live music?
Southbound: It would be the most amazing experience any of us could hope for - I think it would be the peak of our careers and we could quit then and there and be happy with what we had achieved in the four years of the band being active.
MoM: Give us a three word rundown of what to expect in your performance?
Southbound: Probably too soft
Final Thought: They describe themselves as 'too soft' but can they wrap M2TM in a big blanket, lulling them into voting for them.