Let us introduce you to Camden's new rock royalty, Stereo Cupid. This up-and-coming band is drawing back their bow, and watch out because their arrow is coming straight for the heart.
Born in a place of musical history, Camden Town is this band's playground. Sinking their drinks in none other than the Hawley Arms - a pub so engulfed by the all-time greats of British music, it’s legendary. Once the stomping ground of Amy Winehouse and the founding land of Madness, Stereo Cupid find their roots embedded in a place of musical reverence. Bleeding with old-school veneration, this band offers a fresh perspective on what the London music scene COULD offer. Ralph McCarthy Schofield, Jack Hampsey Cook, Eddie Kniveton, Match Montana and Luca Arshad complete the line-up of this bona fide rock band raring to take the industry by storm.
Lounging around a sticky bar table, beers in hand, these boys hold a striking resemblance to the once young and playful Beatles. During their interview, a lovely American couple approached the boys and asked, “Are you in a band?” Match smoothly replied, “No, we’re a theatre group.” I just hope one day that couple will recognise the charismatic ‘theatre group’ they met that summer evening in Camden Town.
An array of bad-boy outfits are also on display. Bassist Eddie is fittingly described by his bandmates as “cool as fuck”, wearing a 2008 Jonas Brothers tour t-shirt. See, cool. As they begin to talk, the lads compete with the rowdy punters. “We’ve been a band as a full 5 for 5 weeks now,” expresses frontman Ralph. Five weeks, and they’ve already amassed over 1,000 streams in the first three days post-release of their first single, Kid. No small feat for an independent band. So you could say they’re starting pretty well, and the only way is up, right? Having recorded their music in former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr’s studio, Stereo Cupid’s second single Who You Are, has just been released. Full steam ahead, this band are destined for big things. Announcing their debut London show, they will take to the stage in the most fitting way possible; on home turf in Camden, at the one-and-only Dublin Castle.
The boys’ musicality is representative of their varying influences. Think neo-prog rock meets Foo Fighters, with a touch of electronica. For good measure. The first single, Kid, is your classic rock record. Written by Ralph and Match, the song harks back to a time before Stereo Cupid. With the inspiration being a deep desire to get out of their hometown, those feelings of frustration gave birth to Kid. From the get-go, your ears are engulfed by a mighty guitar riff which provides the foundations for this track. Lead singer Ralph pulls at heartstrings throughout with his vocals. Desperation cuts through his words. “Car crash, yeah, you’re crying kid, but you’ll still come back here every week.” The words kindle a hunger for something more, and the instrumental amplifies this.
Versatility has become a common trait for most trailblazing bands in the industry today. Stereo Cupid's second single Who You Are provides them with this very attribute. With their electronic influences coming through - think Foals meets Depeche Mode - the synths and a lingering keyboard riff weave through the beginning of this pop-rock record. Accompanied by indie-style guitars and a bass that runs throughout, the song is energetic, to say the least. The chorus relies on snappy lyrics with, “How does she know all I feel for her? I’ll never know…” providing thought-provoking anecdotes, engaging you as a listener. You find yourself seeking the answers to the questions asked. The song could be likened to Blossom's hit-song Charlemagne, especially as it mellows out in place of a bridge. It is a small but mighty section consisting of keys, strings, and acoustic guitar. All of which evoke feelings of endearment. The intimate interlude paves the way for the band as they journey to the finish line. Ending on a high, Ralph finishes acapella, leaving you to bathe in his vulnerability.
Now that you've had ample introduction to these future rockstars. Sitting down to do their first-EVER interview with us. There is certainly no better way to get to know a band in more depth than by rapid succession. With their rebel yell, Stereo Cupid have A LOT to say.
Quick-fire Questions with Stereo Cupid:
Who came up with your band name?
Eddie: That’s me. It's just from a song from Scott Pilgrim Versus the World. It's like a lyric that I always, like, misremembered and always misremembered as Stereo Cupid and then I just thought it sounded kind of cool.
Are you excited to get on stage together?
Match: “The writing came easy, us going on stage… that's what is actually gonna sell it. In London, it’s boring, every band is the fucking same - it’s no longer a show. So many gigs you go to and… don’t get wowed, people hold back from being themselves.”
What's your approach to staying authentic?
Eddie: “It’s just enjoying doing music, like listening, playing and [ just] being involved with it”.
Ralph: “Everyone’s become super obsessed with authenticity, but they’re so obsessed with it, that they become totally inauthentic if you see what I mean… if people like you, they like you, if not, fuck it.”
Match: “We're a bunch of fucking weirdos, but we're happy being a bunch of fucking weirdos. We're just gonna be unapologetic in that way.”
Who do you look to for inspiration?
Match: “I'd say Guns N' Roses and Rolling Stones for me.”
Ralph: “I've always been a bit more obsessed with more neo rock, like Nothing but Thieves I fucking adore, I want to write if I get high. That is a song that I'm just obsessed with. Bands like that and also just enjoying more current music. It's easy to get lost in the idea of being a great, but being a great doesn't always translate today.”
Eddie: “I'd say I'm a great enjoyer of the Foo Fighters, basically anything that Dave Grohl touches I can get down with.”
Jack: “I love Muse! Muse are so good. Also, AC DC and I like electronic music.”
If you could choose to be the opening act for someone now. Who would you go on tour with?
Match: “Motley Crue or Guns N Roses for me, simple.”
Jack: “I think Motley Crue would be fucking amazing.”
Match: “I remember being like, eight years old watching KISS and being like, Oh my fucking god. I went to watch Motley Crue, and I've been obsessed with Guns N Roses since I was a fucking child. Seeing Axl Rose, Slash and KISS, what they put into their performance, you can take so much inspiration.”
Final Question, Do you guys prefer being independent and not signed to a label?
Ralph: “We're having the right conversations with the right people and that's what's important to us. Right now, we're lucky enough to be able to create a narrative for our releases. We've got an opportunity that we will never have again where we can control what we look like, what we do, what we sound like. So we're playing with that while we can.
Jack: “It’s true, I have worn a suit to this interview. I look great, and I feel great.” (Jack’s northern humour never fails to land.)
To find out more about Stereo Cupid, go to: Spotify | Instagram | YouTube
