Interviews

I Dream In Colour Interview

• 30th Jul 2010

Only within their first year of conception, things have been moving fast for I Dream In Colour. Signed to Monotwin Records earlier this year, the band have been tipped for success by the media, performed sold-out shows and backed by BBC Introducing. Their first release, EP 'The Boiler Room', was produced by none other then Iain Gore (The Libertines, Glasvegas, Mystery Jets) and is out now. Its ominous sleeve depicting a grayscale neglected, well, boiler room, is meaningful and at times melancholy, but in the same motion extends a reassuring hand to the listener. We spoke to front man Richard Judge for his take on things. (And just for the record, his voice reminds me more of Neil Finn from Crowded House then Matt Bellamy.)

Where are you now?
Home. I've just made myself a stir fry. So I'm comfortable, yes.

Did you always want to sign to an independent record label, or did the opportunity just come up?
It just came about really. We had no management or anything, it just happened really quick. We met them and it felt really good, like it was the right thing to do. To go from rehearsing to people hearing about us, it was great.

It took three days to record your debut EP, did you like the recording process?
I loved the recording process, there's nothing more special then spending all day being so creative. I mean we're going back into the studio again now, because it's just such a nice atmosphere.

Is it true that you might be recording stuff with Chris Kimsey (producer to the likes of the Rolling Stones)?
We have been speaking with him – I mean it would be amazing to do something with him, you know, he's such a legend. It's been about picking the right time to do it really. There's a song of ours that he's said he really wants to record. I mean the EP was just a taster, this would be a set of all the singles together. But yeah, it would be amazing to get him on board, for him to get us heard and use his influence. It will happen.

I know two of you are brothers, but how did the rest of the band form?
It was mainly friends of friends. With me and my brother there weren't a lot of friends of ours into Rock music, most of them liked clubbing. I guess we grew up together and went to school together, or came together at live nights or acoustic gigs, until it felt right as a band.

Can you tell me what the lyrics in the song 'Fourteen' are about?
[Pause] It's quite deep. It's how… Say if a child had been through a lot, not necessarily abused, mistreated maybe, and how it affects them in later life. How it never really fades away, it's the aftermath of a bad experience as a child. It's not my point of view, just something I've been close to. People think it's about underage sex but it's not!

What made you want to create music in the first place, what inspired you?
That's a tough one. I'm always singing. Like I'd be in the back of the car with my three older brothers as a kid, and [my singing] would get on their nerves, but my mum always encouraged me. They'd tell me to stop, but she'd be like, “Keep singing, he's got a beautiful voice.” So it was from an early age. My older brothers started getting into Oasis and the whole Britpop scene when that came about, so I think that's when I got the urge to pick up the guitar, when I got the guitar bug.

Have you learned anything from going abroad recently, and is there anywhere else you'd particularly like to go?
Well, we played in Austria recently, and we're going back there in November. I've had the greatest experiences – I'm just amazed at how different they are as an audience. I'm sure you know the audience can be stand-offish in London, I mean I do listen but I'm not the type to jump around. Over there they let go more. We're doing a lot of those kind of countries, on the way back from Austria we might do Germany, Holland – places like that.

Have you had any ideas about music videos yet?
We did one that's nearly finished, it's like grainy footage from the studio to reflect our time in there. I've always liked grainy stuff and shots of bands not playing. When I was younger I always thought it was really cool when bands weren't playing along with the song, just video of them chilling and that. Yeah, black and white, lo-fi, I like all that. We're not going to be wearing any costumes, or have me on a donkey going across the desert. Well, not until my ego inflates.

What's the song you're making the music video around then? The first proper single?
It's this one called 'Finding the Courage' – it's a real gem for us. It doesn't seem to fit anywhere except at the end of the set, so we always play it last. It's a real stomper.

The band have been getting a lot of positive attention, especially about your voice. Do you agree with some of the comparisons that have been made?
It's difficult for me. See there's that Matt Bellamy thing, but I don't know a Muse record! I don't disagree, he's got a fantastic range. He's got an amazing voice, I'm flattered, but I'm glad they haven't compared us as a band to Muse. The music side of it I mean, because we're not dramatic like them onstage.

Could you please describe 'The Boiler Room' EP in three words?
Three words? You've put me on the spot there… I'd say it was… 'an exciting introduction'.

You've cheated a bit by including 'an' in that you know.
I know, I know.

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