ISR recently interviewed lead singer Luke Mathers from the Irish indie rock band, Unquiet Nights. These guys are quickly getting the attention of record labels and radio. Before you know it, they will probably have some airplay on network TV. Their music is mainly guitar-driven rock. It's reminiscent of 80s Tom Petty guitar-driven rock, yet tamed by the smooth vocals of lead singer, Luke Mathers; the kind of rock n' roll sorely missing from terrestrial radio these days. You can check out their song "Burning the Tracks" on ISR's latest episode, "Fall On Your Behind" mix.
They're in the process of working on their debut LP Burning The Tracks.
Check out their myspace page to buy their music and sign up for band updates.
Here is what they had to say to ISR:
Guys, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for IndieSoupRunner fans.
ISR: Your band’s name. How did it come about? What were the second and third choices?
Luke: Myself and Rodger came out of another band called Lovechild who did okay in Ireland, and after splitting we had some downtime. During this time I was still writing and recording and adopted the name Unquiet Nights in about 2007. There were no other choices, whenever I started to think of recording again as a band it was one of the earliest names I thought of. The idea had been in my head from even during the Lovechild period. It comes partly from the Genesis song "Unquiet Slumbers For The Sleepers", which might surprise people as our music doesn't have much in common with Prog, yet. Also it's a word associated with bi-polar disorder, for which running actually is a useful remedy by the way. (Indie Soup Runner being partly about running).
ISR: You guys are getting some really sweet airplay with podcasts and radio. Have you guys been approached yet by record companies?
Luke: Well it's happened, e-mails and calls. But a huge majority of record company interest will come to nothing, so you have to be prepared for that. It's very early, I expect them to be impressed by the songs we get together. So far the only thing to mention is that the song "Burning The Tracks" will be available November 16th on a compilation by Modirn Records, a New York label. Our first release will be likely be on the Essential Credential label. Wider physical distribution would be welcome though in the future.
ISR: Your debut LP, Burning The Tracks. Can you talk about that a little bit? How did this project come about?
Luke: Like an album of non-cynical motives should come about. We had a culmination of songs that warranted an album. It seems like the industry is intolerant with EP's and white labels now anyway, in terms of getting reviewed or almost any type of exposure. So that made the album route about the only possibility. Although I think anyway that anyone who considers themselves a songwriter should be dealing in albums. I don't feel we're stretching to come up with material anyway, there are already some projects started on my laptop for songs which will probably be for another album.
ISR: How did you guys meet and form the band?
Luke: I've known Rodger almost all of my life since primary school and asked him to join the previous band when I heard he played drums. The first time I saw him play was on the same night we had a gig though which is a good way to start. It went well. I've done most of the bass on the tracks so far myself, but I've a couple of friends who play well so I haven't decided who's gonna be touring. Kind of an ongoing audition situation. With anything it's as much about who is ready for the lifestyle as who can play the best. You have to want to be involved in this type of band and put in the work to get any kind of result.
ISR: Any plans to do some festivals in the near future? Perhaps stateside? Bonnaroo? Lollapalooza? Treasure Island?
Luke: There aren't any specific plans yet, but it's a longterm plan. We've been offered some pretty good opportunities already in America, radio and TV. As yet haven't been able to hook that up. The drummer was over there for a year of university, so there are a couple of contacts here and there that might make it possible to make that work. I would personally like to play SxSW and some gigs in NY. America is a country that interests me, I think bands there have got more advantages than we do. Most of my favourite music is from the states, more than half of it anyway. Plus... it's about the only way to finally see Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers as they seem to tour America exclusively.
ISR: Each of you guys can field this question if you like...What is the name of the 6th artist listed on your iPods in the Artists view?
Rodger: "Fly Like An Eagle" - Steve Miller Band
Luke: "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much" - Bobby Womack
Adam: Richard Prior Live on Broadway
ISR: If there was one record label that you’d like to be signed with, which one would it be?
Luke: I don't know of any label which has a legacy to be in admiration of anymore. The days of Tamla/Motown are gone. There might be some doing good work and having the right priorities but I don't really know. I want to record a lot and tour a lot, and I don't think it's neccessary to waste a large, unrecoupable advance on the first album. Is there even any distinction between record labels now, since you mention it? I thought every single Indie label had been consolidated by the few existing majors years ago. I liked most of the stuff put out by the incarnations of Virgin (V2 and Hut), but they keep going bankrupt. Heavenly seem a good feeder label too for EMI. If they're reading, they should check our stuff out.
ISR: How do you guys get your exercise? If you run, how far and what’s your pace?
Luke: I go through periods of running a huge amount. I find it's a good way of keeping self-discipline and regulating serotonin levels in my body. My pace is usually pretty fast and then to muscle failure by the end. Infact always that's the case. Probably this isn't exactly the right method for the majority of readers, but it fits my aims. I know that Rodger is a gym type and does a lot of weights. Not sure about how much running, except when I've got him scrambling during our tennis matches. We play as much as possible.
Thanks, guys for taking the time to talk with us. Best of luck with your new LP!!
Luke: Thanks much, if you're interested to hear what's going on with that, follow us on www.myspace.com/unquietnights or www.twitter.com/unquietnights. The album will be worth hearing.
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