Check out our interview with Southend-on-Sea band The Trusted who just released their latest EP Love And Suicide.
The Trusted are Southend-on-Sea natives Dave Batchelor, Dale Holt-Mead, Fin Cunningham and Tom Cunningham. Initially starting out in secondary school, the band bonded over their mutual appreciation of a strong melody and atmospheric, edgy pop. Sharing an enthusiasm for 21st century Brit-rock led by the likes of Catfish and the Bottlemen and The 1975, as well as classic late ‘70s new-wave icons such as The Clash and Elvis Costello, The Trusted thrive off their unique fusion of post-punk energy and storytelling.
Love And Suicide is a mini collection of songs about raw human emotions and trying to define one’s sense of purpose in this complicated world. Each song is inspired by how people react to all those complex situations that get thrown at us daily. Kicking off with “The Innocent” – a song about naivety and blind ambition, the track showcases jangly guitars, upbeat drums and rich vocals, emitting a potent and feel-good sound, bursting with vibrancy and charisma.
Follow The Trusted @thetrusted_
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Shy but noisy
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
I think we just threw ourselves in. During our first year as a band, we were gigging all over the place, every weekend. I think the main thing for us was taking every opportunity, no matter how big or small. That was kind of how we found our way and learnt how everything worked.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Heart and soul
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
Depending on who you ask in the band, For me growing up, I basically submerged myself in everything from Stax, to Bowie to Springsteen to Prince. I was and always have been obsessed with emotional weight of music. I love it when lyrics and melodies make you feel a certain way. I make music cause I want to have an emotional effect on someone, the same way that all my favourite artists and songs have had on me. Also, along with the rest of the boys, I’m in love with the whole band dynamic. There is something really special about making music with a certain small group of people . It’s addictive and it keeps us motivated.
Do you play any instrument?
I mainly sing but I play a bit of guitar and piano. I leave all the hard stuff to the others haha
Do you ever get nervous?
Oh, all the time. The Trusted means a lot to me so I think it would be strange if I didn’t. I’m emotionally involved so I find myself getting nervous about everything!
Tell us about your new EP “Love And Suicide?”
Well it kind of came together at the very start of lockdown. We didn’t write these tunes as an EP but once we had them all in front of us, they all fitted together, so it just kind of seemed like the obvious thing to do. We wanted to put something out that really showed people who we are. I think it captures a slice of the essence of what ‘The Trusted’ is.
What’s the story behind this album and the songs?
Well they’re all songs about emotion and how we deal with all that complicated stuff that society throws our way. We all live inside our heads, deep down, we’re all emotional people. For me, its an easy perspective to write from.
Did you had plans/concerts planned and cancelled because of COVID? If so have you done any online concerts or interaction with your fans?
We had a few things planned but obviously, that all got wiped away very quickly. Since lockdown, we’ve done quite a few live streams and we’ve kept the conversation going with our fans etc. Its nice still being able to perform, however we do miss the ‘clapping’ haha.
Which project is still on your bucket list?
We’d love to put an album out at some point. I think that is kind of one of the big goals for us
What is fun and rewarding about what you do? And what’s not?
The most fun and rewarding for us, is when you see or hear someone ‘vibing’ to one of your tunes. For us, it’s always been about reaching out to people with our music so when someone actually feels something, its best feeling in the world. It’s also incredibly fun to just hang out as a band haha.
In terms of what not, I guess the unpredictability of music. Some things you just cant control, and that can be frustrating sometimes
What’s next for The Trusted in the last months of 2020?
For us, it’s just about releasing even more music. We are sitting on loads of stuff so we are going to see how much we can put out before the world comes to an end
What is you favourite song? And why?
Ooo, tough questions. it changes all the time. Once again, it all depends on who you ask in the band. For me, I would say my all time favourite song is probably Ultraviolet by U2 (controversial…i like U2) I think the lyrics to that song are incredible. Also that drum pattern gets me every time
Any loves other than music?
I mean I’m a massive film nerd so haha. I think we spend more time throwing random out of context movie at each other than making music, who knows.
