PETER: Hello, I'm Peter with Pulse Student Media
and today we are here with Ska Face
and the lead singer Jay.
JAY: Hello
PETER: And we're just going to ask him some questions about his upcoming - about
the band and the upcoming turning on Preston Christmas Lights.
So I know what Ska music is, and you guys know what Ska music is -
But how would you describe it to people who might not necessarily know.
JAY: Ok, so Ska music is kind of like double time reggae.
It's very upbeat, it's very lively.
It's very fun.
PETER: So how did you all meet?
JAY: Erm, the band started in around about 2009,
set up by a couple of people,
they were looking for a singer, which is when I joined.
And then over the years it's changed around.
I think we've only got three original people left in the band -
and over the years people have left and people have come
and I think we've got a very very strong unit at the moment.
PETER: Speaking of which; in having such a large band, what were
the benefits and say challenges in working with so many people at once?
JAY: Benefits is having a lot of people to talk to -
the journeys are always very interesting,
and we're all good friends aswell I would say.
So that's always a positive.
Negatives - it's very difficult for us all to get together at the same time.
Erm there's no space in the van or anything like that
But not many negatives in terms of friendships and all getting on and stuff like that.
PETER: Moving onto your music, is there a favourite venue you have?
JAY: We play pretty much all over the UK.
locally, I'd say our favourite venue is Stanley Park.
PETER: That's Wigan, isn't it?
JAY: No, no. Blackpool. Stanley Park outside,
We play it once a year for two years and we're doing it again next year.
It's a great day for all the family because it's in the afternoon -
so anyone can come, I think we had about three thousand people last year.
PETER: Wow JAY: So hopefully few more next year.
PETER: So what's your take on modern music because I know Ska has
has it's roots in say Jamaican music and came
over a long time ago - how would you say
would you say modern music is any good? Do you have any influences from modern music?
JAY: Myself, I don't listen to a lot of modern music any more to be honest.
I know that a lot of the modern music is influenced by older music -
But, and I do like all types of music,
I like a lot of the Rat Pack era
and stuff like that - I listen to a lot, but it's generally CD's
the modern music is not quite to my taste.
PETER: You guys have put out, well mostly you guys do covers, but you put out your own music,
So in the future do you have any plans to release another album?
JAY: Yes we hope so, coming to you for Christmas.. no no (LAUGHS)
It's a very long process to do
There's a lot of ideas going in from lots of different people
But it's definitely something we'll look to do in the future. PETER: Excellent.
PETER: So you guys are obviously very busy - is there any long-term plans for 2020?
JAY: We have a lot of gigs booked in next year already;
some are the same venues we've done, some are new venues
But I think basically it's just to carry on gigging.
Like I say, hopefully do an album in the future.
But just to grow our fan base by going out and gigging in different areas.
PETER: So obviously we're being broadcast to student media,
and a lot of them are aspiring musicians,
What advice would you have for them in getting started?
JAY: Keep looking for people that play music - likeminded people.
Keep pushing, contact venues as well. Just try and get your name out there.
And enjoy it! That's the main thing. If you don't enjoy it, there's no point.
PETER: Right, so you guys are going to be turning on the Christmas lights in a few weeks;
Have you got anything special planned for that?
JAY: Maybe, you'll have to see. Definitely have to wait and see.
PETER: Well you heard it here everybody, so come and see
these guys turn on the Preston Christmas lights on the 23rd of November
And if you want to check them out, they've got gigs booked until March check their website and check them out.
JAY: Thankyou.
PETER: Thankyou very much.