Blue Nation is an indie/blues driven outfit hailing from Birmingham’s vibrant music scene.
Blue Nation is made up of:
Neil Murdoch – Vocals/Guitar
Greddy Sohal – Bass
Jon Hooker – Drums
Blue Nation were kind enough to take time out of there day to answer my questions.
What’s the origin of the name of your band?
The name came from looking at the UK and seeing that as a Nation we always seem to be down or moaning. There is a certain beauty in the UK on how we always seem to keep ourselves down but always come out on top. Basically a Blue Nation!
What got you into being a musician?
When I was 15 and the brit pop revolution came around like all 15 year old lads I wanted to be Liam and Noel. Other than that I Basically I wanted to meet girls and ended up spending hours in a little rehearsal room with 5 lads!
How long have you all known each other?
How did you meet? Blue Nation has gone through many changes but the current line up is what I have been striving for since I started writing songs. Greddy (Bass) has been with Jon (Drums) and I for a year so really we have only been together a year!
Who are your major influences?
It ranges really, we like any type of genre that gets you feeling and moving. Greddy is big on his funk, Jon loves his rock, indie and funk music and I’m a retro kid at heart. Led Zepp, Small Faces, The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac.
What do you like most about playing music as a career?
It gives you an outlet like any other. Its cathartic process and can take to the highest high and the lowest low. Playing live is the main pull for us all but to be honest the song writing is also right up there.
When did you form your band?
Wow, when time began it feels like. When I was 15 at school but I don’t really class that as a band as it as changed developed, morphed into something beyond my wildest dreams.
The music of Blue Nation
Who writes the songs in the band?
What are the main themes or topics for your songs? We write together really. I (Neil) will come up with an idea and a structure or form and I will have the majority of the lyrics already. The best thing about working with Greddy and Jon is that they are musicians, they understand the structure and are not scared to say what I have written is not up to scratch! We are probably the most honest band you will meet. Gred and Jon have had a great musical upbringing and they just get it and can transform a song from being average to a single. The main themes are usual around love, loss and new beginnings sounds morbid but we try to give people something to hang onto musically. I always connect with music personally if I can relate to it or it sparks a memory of a time I was hurting, alone or in love and amazing happy. As Bob Marley said “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain”
Where do you get your inspiration for the music you write?
It can be anything from a documentary you watch, a conversation we over hear or mainly what happens in your own life.
Do you think the themes of your songs will change over time?
Of course, I think its one of our plus points as a band. We can write an out an out rock song a funky bass driven song and then a heart felt acoustic song. We don’t want to sit on one genre we want to give people an eclectic mix of our sound.
How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
All music changes over time. When I was young I was mainly writing about girls and just growing up. Now I focus more on people situations and how they either grab the strength to get out of a situation or they give up. Very much fight or flight.
Any advice for young musicians looking to get into music as a career?
DON’T SIGN ANYTHING UNTIL A MUSIC LAWYER HAS SEEN IT. It’s the age old thing, getting ripped off and trusting the wrong people. We found out the hard way like most bands but it did make us stronger. I would strongly suggest becoming a member of the MU (Musicians Union) as they give you so much. Including legal advice and great deals on musical insurance. Also check out the Unsigned Guide as well, really helpful advice. The main thing I would give advice on is TUNE YOUR GUITARS BEFORE YOU PLAY AND DURING YOUR SET. It is so frustrating to see young bands play all out of tune and it comes across so bad live. Spend time on your songs. Our manager always tells us this business is 99% hard work and dedication and 1% enjoyment. He couldn’t be more right if he tried. The harder you work at your songs your style and your stage presence then the more enjoyment the audience will get out of it. Lastly be prepared at gigs. Check your equipment, check you have everything. In the past bands have asked us to borrow leads and plectrums!!!
What has been your favourite and least favourite gig?
Favourite gig has to be the British Grand Prix F1 gigs at Silverstone. Such huge crowds and being a three piece we have to make it a big sound for them. Hairs on the back of your neck stuff when you hear the crowd going nuts for you. Worst gig without naming names, venues and cities is when the promoter and other bands don’t care about promotion or pushing the gigs. You turn up and nothing is organised, the sound man doesn’t want to be there and you just know its going to be one of those gigs. They can make you a better band though. Performing in front of 3000 people is actually easy, the nerves and adrenalin makes you up your game. When at a tiny venue with little or no audience you still have to perform and still have to be professional.
Do you ever play any covers? What makes you chose that song(s)?
Sometimes when we are in the studio and one pops into our mind then yeah of course we will play it and see what it sounds like. If we like what we hear we always change it up so it is our own version rather than an imitation. We have played Crossroads, California Dreaming and flirted with Sunshine on your love.
Which song(s) do you like performing the most?
It changes to be honest. Joker and Let Me Down Slowly are my favourite tracks but recently we have written a song called Sundown which is going down really well live. Mainly it’s the epic sounding ones that I enjoy playing. I know Jon loves playing Maybe Goodbye as he has put some brilliant drums tracks on it.
What has been your biggest challenge as a band?
The biggest challenge is making sure you are always moving forward and raising your game. We have meetings to review the year and what we want to achieve in the year coming up. So far we have always surpassed our goals but with the bar always raising we need to be on our game constantly.
Promote
Do you have any upcoming shows?
It’s always best to check our sites as it changes constantly. We are looking at a tour in June as we have just completed a tour of the north in April
Any music in the works for future release?
Our debut Album (Cross the Line & Decide) will be out hopefully in June/July this year. We are working on the artwork and with a PR company to push it to all the right places. We are filming two videos to support it also. Busy times ahead.
How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?
We are all on the usual social network sites but I would ask people to look at http://www.facebook.com/bluenationmusic or our Twitter page: @bluenationmusic we have our own website also http://www.bluenation.co.uk
www.bluenation.co.uk
www.facebook.com/bluenationmusic
www.twitter.com/bluenationmusic
www.youtube.com/bluenationmusic
www.myspace.com/bluenation
“Dark Days” Music video:
Interviews with Indie musicians 
I played with these guys on my first Manchester gig. Unfortunately from my inexperience I gave out my tickets expecting people to turn up and pay me back. No one showed up. My drumkit sounded great though and I played excellently!