Q&A With Electropop Duo Son of Cabe
Son of Cabe are back with another banger this winter. The virtuosic duo, made up of Guildford natives Conor McCabe and Jack Holland, has treated our ears to an experimental, electronic anthem ready to empower us to break free from the fictional constraints we feel around us. We catch up with Son of Cabe on all things 'Whistler'.
First off, tell us a little about yourselves. How did Son of Cabe come about?
Conor: It started as a solo project by myself, but I wanted to get someone else involved, especially from a live aspect to play live drums alongside me, and then I met Jack at University in a music therapy class; I sat next to him purely by chance and he was just tapping on his legs all through the lecture and so I asked if he played drums and if he’d be up for joining and the rest is history!
What can you tell us about your new single ‘Whistler’? Any particular inspirations?
Conor: Whistler’s a fantasy about me wanting to run away with someone close to me to a better place. At the time I was in a bit of a toxic environment. Every news headline I saw was just depressing and a lot of the people around me were being constantly negative and I just wanted to escape. Sonically me and Jack wanted to take it heavier and a bit rockier than the stuff we’ve released before. Jack’s music tastes are more that way with bands like Slipknot and Bring Me the Horizon and it’s rubbed off on me! I also grew up listening to bands like The Killers and the Foo Fighters and I’m a big fan of The 1975 so it was only a matter of time before we sonically ventured in this direction.
Describe your songwriting process. How does a song like ‘Whistler' go from an idea to a fully-fledged single?
Conor: It varies song to song, but for Whistler it started with a basic keys arrangement and I wrote the lyrics over it. It originally started off as a chill lo-fi track, but then we started messing around with it in a rehearsal where we got the idea to make the song more upbeat with live drums and driving guitar lines, making it ideal to be performed in a live environment. So with that in mind, we built the track up from there.
It’s been a difficult year for live music. What would be your dream gig once things get back to normal?
Jack: Dream gig would have to be to play a huge festival such as Glastonbury. Especially after lockdown as everyone is going to be desperate for live music again. Either that or touring with a band like The 1975.
Do you have any advice for new artists starting out?
Jack: I would say make sure you enjoy doing it. It only becomes easier if making music is something you actually enjoy and are passionate about.
It’s almost festive season! Would you ever release a Christmas track? Any personal favourites?
Jack: No plans to do a Christmas track. But Paul McCartney ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ is definitely up there as a favourite
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