An Interview with iLiKETRAiNS (1/3) By Michelle Dee Live Photographs by David Robinson - iLiKETRAiNS at The Piper, 25th May 06

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

It was with anticipation and trepidation that I prepared to interview the Leeds trailblazers. I had seen them play live at Scarborough last year and had been mightily impressed with both their sound and stage presence. My trepidation came from their rather imposing British Rail jackets I'd seen them wearing then. Something about the black colour and red insignia made me think of them as elitist.

This was their second visit to Hull having previously played at the New Adelphi Club at a Meet The Neighbours gig organised by Sandman Magazine. Thankfully when I caught up with them there was no sign of the B.R. uniforms and the band were relaxing after being given food and drink. I started by asking them what had happened to the band since that balmy July day on the beach. The big news was that iLiKETRAiNS had been signed to well-known label Fierce Panda. This had come about after the band having been attached to a number of smaller labels including Dance To The Radio.

This is a Leeds based label connected to a live music venue/night, which releases a limited number of singles each year for local bands. Last year the band released Before the Curtains Close to great acclaim, then followed this up with A Rook House For Bobby on similar label KIDS, which sold out in two days.

These two releases are now available on DVD format with stop motion animated videos and exclusive insights into the bands psyche and much more. Due to a clever marketing ploy the reduced number of singles available on either CD or special vinyl format, means that the likelihood of having a sell out record is far higher, than if thousands were produced and then left to languish in record stores countrywide. Fierce Panda have opted for a similar strategy for the bands latest single release Terra Nova, due for release end of May. (See News coverage here)

We discussed the sense of first being signed to a small label first and having a number of smaller successes in order for the big hitters to start to notice. I would hope someone here takes notice of this growth in minor labels and sets one up in Hull to promote our own bands the same way other Northern towns seem to be doing.

The band was very aware of the need to pay their dues on the gig circuit creating a loyal dedicated fan base and the need for a slow and gradual build up to create a sustained buzz around a particular group. Although being featured in NME, it wouldn't surprise me to find broadsheets like the Guardian or the Sunday Times picking up on their esoteric nature, or even having their music dissected by Mark Kermode on BBC2's Newsnight Review.

Continued..... Next Page (2/3).

Photographs courtsey and Copyright ©  David Robinson 2006

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