Unsigned Telford band Savannah release new single
After four years of crafting their sound, Telford rock band Savannah are paving the way for unsigned musicians to achieve their goals.
Since forming in 2013 the band has come a long way. They release their new single Taxing Times today, along with EP Here & Now and a special homecoming show later this year.
Guitarist and backing vocalist Jason Lewis tells us how they formed with a shared goal to create great music.
“All four of us hail from Dawley and were brought together through the music,” he says.
“Me, our vocalist Liam Ball and drummer Harry Neat had a previous history playing together with several bands before forming Savannah.
“The three of us were all friends before the band but connected through music, then we met Ellis Holmes our bassist, who was another like-minded local, to complete the line-up.
“All we wanted – and still want to do – with our lives is to create music. We want to capture life moments and feelings in song then share it with the world in a unified brotherhood.
“We wanted to be a band like the greats who have influenced us. Groups like The Who, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, The Stones Roses, all inspired us to start doing what we do now and make it happen.”
From a shared passion for making music, the band played their first gig, one that’s led to nearly 500 shows since.
“Our first gig was at The Cheshire Cheese pub in Doseley in 2013 for their charity fun day,” Jason says. “We were rehearsing nearby at the time and organisers heard us play and asked us to perform – the rest is history. It feels crazy to think we’ve done so many gigs since then!”
This first appearance propelled Savannah to the forefront of the local music scene. However, some of their proudest achievements however, have been playing their hometown.
“There have been lots of special moments over the years, playing a on the top of the Wrekin has to be one of the greatest moments. It was an amazing experience to play to 300 people on the top of the landscape dominating hill with such clear skies and views.
“It’s always a proud moment when we play a busy hometown gig and see the immense support of our following.
“Other highlights of the band life are to listen to recording masters, watching finished music videos, seeing how a song can develop from a simple idea . . . the list could be endless.
“Other highlights include sitting in the back of the smelly, old but tasteful sprinter van, miles from home after playing a gig, and looking at one another and feeling like ‘yes, this is it boys. This is why we are here’.”
This appreciation for a chance to play music has garnered them a loyal local following, and has allowed them to record two EPs and release five singles with professional-looking videos. Their latest release, Here & Now has been eagerly anticipated.
“Our new EP is coming out soon, and it’s the culmination of everything we’ve been working towards over the past four years musically,” Jason says.
“Each song has its own identity; we try and write as openly together as we can to get lots of ideas flowing. We recorded in our studio with producer Gazz Rogers, who is great to work with.
“We always have fun in the studio and the atmosphere is always relaxed to help the creativity flow. For the EP we went in very open-minded for the all the tracks except Taxing Times, which we wanted as our lead single and to be hard-hitting.
“The rest has some great moments and brilliant production too. From roaring 60s rock sounds to psychedelic epics, it’s all in there.”
Savannah are set to release their new EP with a homecoming show at The Anstice in Madeley on September 15.
“Fans can expect a brilliant night of live music at our release show, we always give everything into our performance.
“On the night we have Blackpool band and close friends The Slumdog’s supporting, who we’ve toured with.
“We like to put on great performances that people remember and feel a part of; Savannah is a way of life.”
The future’s looking bright for the band, with talks of a full-length album and plenty of shows to boot.
Jason adds: “We are busier than ever! We’re in the stages of planning lots of big things – from UK tours later this year, to new exciting releases – but we always remember how lucky we are to be on our righteous path.
“We endeavour to work relentlessly to make our call heard and the music a reality. Opportunity has knocked for Savannah and we are embracing its call, we want to lead the musical revolution and revived the spirit of rock and roll.
“Most importantly though, we want to make people connect with our music and feel part of Savannah.”
l Tickets for the launch party can be purchased from www.savannahuk.co.uk or Jubilee House in Madeley.
l Taxing Times is released today. To watch the video for Taxing Times go to www.shropshirestar.co.uk/entertainment
