Already creating some waves with his debut EP Long Distance, singer, pianist, guitarist and all round talented Chris Vince is set for a big year ahead. As a member of the bands East Of Reno and Georgia Train, Vince is setting out on his own to give the world a taste of his own music.
Give us a potted history of yourself
I’ve played music all my life, coming from a musical family; my grandfather arranged G.F. Handel and worked with Benjamin Britten. Rejecting any classical training, I played guitar and taught myself to play piano by ear. Harry Nilsson, Elton John, Bruce Hornsby.
I started writing after listening to Dylan and I resonate particularly with songwriters of the 1970s.
Who inspired you to start making music
Everyone involved with the making of the Antony and the Johnsons’ record ‘I Am a Bird Now’, or generally The Shrek 2 soundtrack.
And the one or maybe two records that inspired you artistically
Rain Dogs – Tom Waits: Waits’ songs have always been very important, but the lyrics on Rain Dogs are unmatched. The cadences of ‘Tango ‘till They’re Sore’ or the imagery of ‘Time’ – “The wind is making speeches and the rain sounds like a round of applause”
The Randy Newman Songbook – Randy Newman: To have so many songs that carry when stripped of all production just proves Newman’s mastery of songwriting, from a serial killer in Dusseldorf to a dancing fat boy.
If you’re trying to explain who you sound like to someone that’s never heard you, what do you say
Piano narratives. Rufus Wainwright spent some time in the UK, shared stories whilst living across the street from Nick Cave and took a few lessons from Ben Folds.
Tell us about your new single
Pillow feathers, ambition, a wing, and a prayer. ‘Crash’ is the first single from my self-released debut EP ‘Long Distance’.
It was recorded and produced by myself and Dale Davis (Amy Winehouse’s Musical Director and Bass Player) with Alex Shad on Drums and recorded at Livingston Studios. Paul McCartney’s piano tuner tuned their Steinway.
Where can we get hold of it
It’s on Spotify to be listened to with the whole EP, and special edition USBs are available at any of my live dates
More information can be found on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vischrince/
Tell us how you write
Waking up a few hours each day before work and in between gigs on the weekends. I tend to write at the piano, instrumentally first – the draft lyrics come, then get edited along the way. Any concept or phrase that catches my interest I tend to note down, or I revisit my old lyrics and poems to rephrase those. I read modern classics when I can.
Tell us about your live show What would be your dream gig
An intimate venue, preferably with a grand piano, and a good bar.
What can we expect from you in the near future
I’m working on my second solo release with the working title ‘The Rings’. Meanwhile, I have an acoustic album and EP scheduled for release with Georgia Train (Bitter Ruin) this year, and my band East of Reno is releasing its first EP on May 31st.
Tell us your favourite records that are rocking your headphones/tour bus/stereo
Judee Sill – Judee Sill
Leif Vollebeck – Twin Solitude
Olivia Chaney – IOU
Tom Odell – Black Friday
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