Cavey
Cavey is an English alt-rock band from London.
Formed by Luke Cave (Guitar, Vocals), Alexander Chalstrey (Piano, Organ, Rhodes), Chun-Ting “Refa" Wang (Upright Bass, Bass guitar) and Adrian Ortman (Drums), the English band revealed their debut EP “Night Time” earlier this year.
They are now offering their latest single “About To Start”. Written by Luke Cave and produced by Frank Wright, “the single is about the conflict of love and the belief that the only way to make it is to sacrifice everything,” explains Cavey.
“About To Start” is now available everywhere.
Introduce the band. What's the band's story?
Cavey formed 2 years ago, after Frank Wright (Blaenavon) introduced me to Adrian (drums) at a show in Kilburn. I had a couple of songs that weren't right for any of my current country or hard rock bands, because the songwriting was a little gentler and a little bleaker, to so I decided to form a new project. Adrian introduced me to a bunch of Jazz musicians at Guildhall and the songs I had written grew into a more cohesive sound that seemed like a good kind of different. We played a few shows as a trio, with Alex (keys) doing the bass parts with his left hand, and had great feedback and support from the crowd, so we decided to record a few tracks. We tracked them cheaply at a studio beneath Camden Roundhouse and they went on to become our first EP, Night Time. We had Josh Eggerton of Social Contract play bass for a while, but he got too busy with his band, so Adrian suggested Refa playing double bass. She had all the songs down in like 3 days and smashed the EP launch so she was definitely in! That's still our current line-up.
At what point did you know you had to form a band?
The band was always on the cards, from the point I started writing the songs, it was just a matter of finding the right people.
How would you define Cavey, the band?
It’s a combination of playing styles, the interplay between Jazz harmony, electric guitar and my song writing. I always say its just Alt-Rock, but that's a pretty broad umbrella, there's something different in us, and it comes from the band's technicalities.
You released your first EP "Night Time" earlier this year. Any favorite memory from the songwriting/recording process?
Adrian and I went down to Frank's house in Hampshire to finish a couple of tracks, it was nice to hang out in the country side and in the evening, the three of us rode bikes to the pub and had a great time!
"About To Start" is your new single. What's the story behind this song?
I haven't asked, but I'm sure most musicians experience a sort of double reality, one in which they are fulfilled by the joy of playing and connection with bandmates and the audience, and another in which nothing they do is ever enough to satisfy the abstract idea of success portrayed in films and the media. One is always in danger of succumbing to the latter, which can include overworking yourself, neglecting others, and feeling incomplete. “About To Start” is about the conflict of love and the belief that the only way to make it is to sacrifice everything.
Who wrote and produced the song?
I (Cavey) wrote the song, and Frank Wright produced.
What made you pick this particular song as a single?
We recorded four tracks back in May, and we knew we wanted to go ahead with a single. This one seemed to be strong enough to go out on its own.
What was the inspiration behind the artwork?
My sister Lexie Cave did the artwork. I told her pretty much what I wrote in question 5. If I like an artist enough to work with them, I don't like to give them too much direction, because I don't want to interfere with their creativity.
Who's helping you create your visuals?
Well there's my sister Lexie, my friend Nico Spaarkogel who helped with the press shots, Verity Weller who did the single artwork for the Night Time EP, but mainly Frank again. He created our Logo, the crescent moon, did the EP cover and took the majority of the press shots. He also does our live sound regularly. He's a frustratingly talented individual.
What vision do you have for your art?
I want to bring elements of traditional show business, cabaret for example, into the Alt-Rock genre.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
The City is a pretty big influence on me, that and other musicians/ artists.
What appeals you the most about making music?
Making records is my favourite bit.
As a band, what are your ultimate goals?
We want to take it as far as we can. Hopefully one day we can all make enough money to live and facilitate ourselves with a studio.
What do you like the most about living London?
I like the fact that at any given time, on any day, I can go out and find something going on.
Any upcoming project?
Hopefully by the end of next year we can record an album.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Eating all the mega rich people and dividing out their money evenly.
What's your purpose?
To entertain people. :)
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