If you’ve read my post on the Dart Music Festival you’ll have seen that I was very impressed with the performance of True Strays, a Bristol-based band pumping out roots rock n roll tracks. After my last post, I got in contact with founders James Cameron and Joe James to find out a little more about their sound, band and some of their favourite Bristol spots.
Introduction from James & Joe
Hello, we are James Cameron and Joe James and we are in a band called True Strays. We started it because we go way back and we knew that we could trust each other to get the job done. Being in a band takes immense time, energy and investment, so you really need to know that your partners in crime have your back. Plus there are not many people who you’ve known that long. That you know you can get along with in close proximity day after day, night after night. We actually first met in playgroup but then lost touch until secondary school! We started playing together in a previous band, that fell apart and we knew who to call for a second stab at the prize!
We love each other’s songwriting and playing styles and we share a collective love of music, songwriting and what being in a band means. So it was an easy decision to join forces in this band. Our main drummer Matt, is an old friend from the previous band also, so it was all about sticking to what we knew best and continuing the musical brotherhood!
Tell me a bit about your sound and your influences?
We all love the same strange mix of music! Old school blues, rock n roll, country, classic rock, psychedelic, grunge and post-punk so we just put it all together into a pot of west country attitude and melody. We love rhythm and how the old school music hits you in the heart and gets your booty shaking!
We try and write open truthful music. The world has had enough of ego and rock n roll cliches so we try and be honest about issues that are affecting us and the world we live in. So our message and melody come from that angle also. Our songs talk about fracking, environmental destruction, mental health, freeing yourself from doubt and fear and tax avoidance. We are trying to add to the discussion that needs to be had at this moment to move the world forward in a peaceful and positive way.
I’ve heard you guys are Bristol based (same!), what local artists do you love and what venues have you played in this city – are there any favourites?
Bristol is great huh! It is a creative paradise! So many great artists at the moment. Check out Brook Tate who did our new EP artwork! Loads of great bands like Little Thief, Hannah Williams and the Affirmations, Samantha Lindo and Joe Probert! A really collaborative place! Venues we love are Leftbank, The Canteen & Gallimaufry. Leftbank is probably our favourite. Amazing music. Down to earth atmosphere and it gets real rowdy and wild at the weekend. Great dancing and drinking! Tom the owner is a dude.
What is your favourite Bristol space?
Joe loves walking his dog in Eastville Park! After a show, we like to head to the Mothers Ruin (A rock n roll dive bar) in town for a few drinks. Where we live in Easton and St Werbeurghs there are great community spaces filled with incredible independent ethical businesses and creativity.
Any new releases soon?
We have just released our second EP – ‘Homeward Bound.’ We have got some kind reviews and had some amazing shows lately. The headline at Dart Music Festival last weekend was incredible; Our first festival headline!
The aim is to release our debut album in May 2020 so we have just started work on demoing new tunes. There will be more singles off the EP coming soon. Homeward Bound, the title track, is currently on Spotify’s Nu-Blue playlist so go have a listen (Help us with the algorithm!). We have a tonne of festivals this summer including Larmer Tree Festival and Green Man, so just getting the band sounding as tight and punchy for those shows is the current aim!
Where has been the best festival you’ve played and why?
Shambala Festival is our favourite. Beautiful site. Beautiful atmosphere. Lots of wild people of all ages looking to have a great time in some incredible fancy dress. The shows are electric and full of dancing madness, drum solos and crowd surfing.
Slightly less music related, but what do you guys do when you’re not touring or gigging?
Haha… it always feels weird to talk about this. James is a Primary School Teacher and Joe works in construction and landscaping. We both work part-time. The aim is to invest time and energy in what we really want to do which is play and make exciting music. But it’s impossible to pay your rent and build a band without a job. We love gigging but then you can’t gig all the time without wearing yourself down. Our girlfriends get a slightly raw deal when we are away so it’s a hard balancing act which takes its toll sometimes! We owe a lot to our partners in crime for putting up with us.
Signing off…
Check out new EP Homeward Bound on Spotify. Buy it from our website. Thank you Lucy for supporting underground music and supporting our music. Cheers for listening. X
Lucy: As you can see from above, these guys are an awesome bunch and have real talent and an addictive sound. Definitely check them out on the links above and find their latest live dates here.
The Girl In The Window 