Interview: The Quails
4 min read
Brendon recently caught up with rising indie rockers The Quails. Between writing and touring front-man Dan Steer answered a few questions about what the band are up to these days and gave us some info about the collectives brand new album Master of Imperfection. Here is what he had to tell us.
Brendon Veevers: How are you all doing?
Dan Steer: Yeah we’re all good thanks! Excited, Buzzing but Very tired!
BV: Your new album Master of Imperfection has just been released – tell us a little about it.
DS: The album is something we are all very proud of. We were lucky enough to record in Sawmill Studios in Cornwall where many great artists such as Oasis and Muse have worked in the past. Its very remote down there and the only way to get to the studio is by boat, so once you are there, you’re there till its done!
Master of Imperfection is very different from our earlier work and much darker in places. We have lots of inspirations and some of which you can pick up on in various tracks. Vocally and lyrically its more mature that the first album.
BV: Where did the title come from?
DS: Well, as the songwriter you spent your life trying to write the perfect song, and be the perfect person, and quite often in all aspects of life you end up disappointed when you don’t live up to your own expectations and the expectations of others, so in our own way we are all Masters of Imperfection, as we all seek perfection.
BV: Your new single Argentina was also released this month, what is the inspiration behind the track?
DS: The single Argentina is a fun track that I wrote while I was travelling South America. I had been weeks and weeks without a guitar, and when I arrived in Argentina we got to a hostel that had a battered old classical guitar with only 3 strings. So with the limited strings I created the opening riff, and with lyrics about the country itself, closely related to my life and a catchy chorus to suit Argentina was born.
BV: How does the creative process work for The Quails?
DS: Usually it starts with myself writing the chords, lyrics and melodies and then taking them to rehearsals and developing them with the rest of the band. It’s a good process and seems to work well!
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BV: You’re currently on tour promoting your new record Master of Imperfection. How is that going?
DS: We have had a great response so far! We rehearse our asses of to give a proper high production live show, and people who see us live are always very positive about our sound and dedication. We are very keen to emulate and even better the sound of the record so we never disappoint fans!
BV: Any on-tour mischief you can let us in on?
DS: We have one very strict rule: ‘what goes on tour, stays on tour’! There were a few nights of madness, strip clubs and and other interesting activities, but I’m sworn to secrecy I’m afraid.
BV: You’re heavily involved with this years festival season. Any festival in particular that your looking forward to playing?
DS: We are doing a shit load of festivals this year, and I’m really looking forward to Glasto and Latitude, but the smaller more intimate ones tend to kick ass!
BV: If you had the chance to collaborate with anyone – dead or alive – who would it be?
DS: I can only speak for myself when I say this as we all have different tastes, but I reckon that us and Ellie Goulding would be sweet!! Also I would love to hook up with Dizzie!
BV: Who are you listening to at the moment?
DS: Loads! Biffy Clyro are sooo good. Ellie Goulding. There is a lack of exiting new music in the mainstream so my attention has turned to the unknown bands that I really dig that we have played with. Check out RedTrack.
The Quails new album Master of Imperfection is out now
::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.
