Introducing: RUPERT STROUD

… Ilkley-based singer-songwriter promises variety and something for everyone.

YOUR NAME: Rupert Oliver Ossie Stroud
WHAT DO YOU DO/PLAY? Guitar and I sing my heart out too!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TOGETHER AS A BAND? I started out as an acoustic solo artist, gigging for many years. I met Mick Bedford my drummer when he played session drums on my first album. I met Mike Pearson (guitars and keys) about 3 years ago and invited them both to perform with me about 18 months ago. It’s worked out really well and we’ve been together as a band since then.
GIVE US 3 REASONS WHY WE SHOULD TRACK DOWN, LISTEN AND DISCOVER YOUR MUSIC?
1. I think my sound is different from your typical singer/songwriters (A lot of reviewers have said so anyway).
2. I think the tracks on “Chasing The Night” are very varied and have something for everyone.
3. You won’t be disappointed. It’s a really well produced album (produced by Will Jackson-previous credits-Pigeon Detectives, Kaiser Chiefs, Embrace) and when you’ve listened to it you’ll know a little bit more about me.
WHERE DO YOU SOUND BEST – FESTIVAL, CLUB, BEDROOM – OR SOMEWHERE ELSE?
EVERYWHERE!…But I love the small intimate club gigs where I can interact with the audience.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST … RECORD? NEVER bought a record – more like tapes – think it would have been something I would have nicked from my mum and dad or older brothers – something like Oasis, Nirvana, Simply Red, Bob Marley, Tom Petty. Run DMC “It’s like that” remix vs. version by Jason Nevins version! My little brother and I used to dance around our bedroom when we were kids trying to break dance! ha!
CD? I think Lou Bega “Mambo No. 5” was the first single CD I ever bought.
DOWNLOAD? Most probably something like Blink 182 when I first got my ipod!
SO, WHEN IT ALL GOES RIGHT AND YOU’VE GOT A MANSION AND A SUPERMODEL GIRLFRIEND, WHAT WILL BE YOUR BIGGEST MUSICAL INDULGENCE? To own my own recording studio- discover, mentor and develop new talent. Collaborate with Guy Garvey from Elbow, Jay Z and David Guetta!
SO, WHEN IT ALL GOES WRONG AND YOU’VE SPLIT UP ACRIMONIOUSLY CITING MUSICAL DIFFERENCES, WHAT DO YOU FALL BACK ON? Quite a few people have asked me “what’s your Plan B?…” and I answer “to make sure Plan A works!” failing THAT … Hopefully on a very comfy mattress…
PLEASE CITE SOME INTER-BAND MUSICAL DIFFERENCES … Mike (keyboards) quite likes his heavy Rock…but we all have quite eclectic taste in music which I think is essential for song writing. You can’t just listen to the genre you write/perform… things would get very boring very fast otherwise.
WHO ARE YORKSHIRE’S FINEST IN CULTURE, SPORT AND MUSIC? Culture-David Hockney and Henry Moore, Sport- Jessica Ennis , Music- Grammy award winning Corinne Bailey Rae!
NAME YOUR SUPERGROUP – WHO’S PLAYING WHAT – WHO’S ON VOCALS?
Myself – lead vocals of course!
Beyonce on lead/backing female vocals
Keith Richards-lead guitar
Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers- Bass
Dave Grohl- Drums
…and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with David Garrett playing Virtuoso Violin!
GO SEE THIS FILM … “The Hurricane”, The story of the freeing of Ruben ‘Hurricane’ Carter starring Denzel Washington (great soundtrack song by Bob Dylan).
GO READ THIS BOOK … I like biographies and autobiographies at the moment I am reading Steve Jobs’ biography by Walter Issacson
GREAT LOST BAND/ARTIST … Too many to choose from…Amy Winehouse, Jeff Buckley, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, John Lennon, Elvis … Too many greats lost far too young.
WOULDN’T BE CAUGHT DEAD SUPPORTING … Justin Bieber
LONDON, L.A OR LEEDS? … Leeds with London a close second!
AND FINALLY … AS YOU LEAVE THE STAGE, WHAT ARE YOUR PARTING WORDS.
Thank you, take care and see you next time.

www.rupertstroudmusic.com