We’re bringing you something a little different today with a rave, rock and electronica fusion that Scotland/Kent trio STREAMER summarise as “indie trance” and describe to us as “intense, joyful and epic.”
STREAMER is formed of Tom and Jez, who’d been in a covers band together for several years, and drummer Freddie, who’s Tom’s son. It started out with a debut EP that was written and recorded in two weeks back in 2015, but the project developed during lockdown, which provided an opportunity to learn to use modern instrumentation and systems. That results in the band’s first touring album Dare To, which was released last year.
On their approach, Jez told us: “STREAMER is a three-piece band merging guitars, drums and electronica, defining a genre we call indie trance. Think Coldplay and Pink Floyd meet Faithless and the Chemical Brothers. The sound is organic, textured and it blends guitar and vocal layers with electronica. The lyrics hold some tension and darkness, but invariably, the songs become uplifting and joyful. It’s great fun too!”
Our latest taste of this is Festival, which was released in October. It opens up with little synth pulses that develop into a big dancey section with little guitar chords creeping in. Later, the dancey synths are joined by a cool piercing guitar solo before a synthy outro.
On the track, Jez told us: “It was released with festival crowds in mind – Festival is a high-energy anthem designed to get everyone moving. With a catchy singalong hook and infectious riffs, it’s the kind of track that lifts spirits and sticks with you. We wanted something that could light up festival stages and leave the crowd happier than before.” Check it out in the stream below:
That follows on from several singles this year, including Possessify, released in May, which opens up with a lingering guitar lick with cool electronic effects that builds towards a more EDM-like section. The pace drops into dual vocals with building synths before a funky little electronic segment, and it eventually picks up the intensity led by a piercing guitar and stabbing chords alongside trancey elements.
A personal favourite track is As Time Flies By, which begins slowly with light keys and moody vocals. The atmosphere builds gradually with various electronic elements then pulsing synths pick the pace up and drop into a big catchy chorus. The indie elements grow into the track and a sweeping guitar lick comes in over driving drums then drops into building synths that set up a final chorus. Check it out in the stream here:
Tom and Jez are classically trained and seasoned contemporary musicians, while Freddie brings electronic, trancey influences to the mix. As Jez explains: “STREAMER’s influences arguably range from Tallis and Monteverdi to the most recent electronic and trance artists. Tom’s guitar work is melodic and rhythmic, reflecting influences like Gilmour and Edge.”
And on what inspires them to write music, Jez adds: “We tend to write very fast, often ideas ‘arrive’ quite fully formed. But it takes time to record, refine and produce them. The themes are quite visceral and personal – for example, loss, love, courage, time – but for all that, the songs are joyful and uplifting.”
There’s plenty more to come from STREAMER, with new music including Interlude, which Jez describes as: “A dramatic even cinematic work, which comes in two parts, and indeed a long play version for the purists!” They’ll also have something a bit different coming out for Christmas called The Island, and will continue to gig and push for festival slots next year.
And Jez adds: “We love playing live and the spirits we can generate in a room or venue full of people. We have some super cool embroidered-brand t-shirts so roll-up, roll-up – it helps to fuel the van!”
You can follow STREAMER on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and YouTube.
GigRadar 