Belfast rock band Empty Spaces have released their debut single, Do You Wanna Be The One? We asked them the BIG questions . . .
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Alex (drums): I keep and breed tarantulas, currently I have around 50, it's definitely not a popular hobby but one that keeps the house breakers away. I've taken on a range of very different jobs in my life from chef to dental nurse to slaughterhouse operative, as long as money's coming, I'm chuffed. Lastly, my pet snake escaped around three months ago and I still haven't found him. Trevor, if you're listening please come home... I miss you.
How would you describe your music?
Rahul (bass and backing vocals): It's very difficult to pinpoint what our music sounds like. It's an amalgamation of our various influences, and it pays homage to those who have paved the way for us. On the one hand you will hear energetic upbeat anthems and on the other you will have heavy riffs with a driving bass line. This encapsulates the Empty Spaces sound.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Rahul: Our inspirations span far and wide across rock. From the sounds of the southern states of America such as BB King and Muddy Waters to the modern rock sounds of Foo Fighters and Royal Blood.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Paul (guitar and backing vocals): When I was 12/13 my sister brought me to see 30 Seconds to Mars and You Me at Six at the Odyssey, that show still lives in my head rent free. From massive balloons falling from the ceiling to getting a whole load of people up on the stage to dance and sing, I'll never forget it and I thank her for instilling me with a lot of the music I still listen to today.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Alex: The Essential Michael Jackson. I only got this because my sister was learning Blame It On The Boogie for a dance class and before I knew it, I had ordered a sparkling white glove on eBay and moonwalking was my preferred method of travel.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Paul: My favourite song right now has to be Higher Place by Malevolence. I saw them in Belfast the other week for the third time and something about it just filled me up from head to toe. It’s such a powerful and moving song, starting slow and calm, gradually adding more elements as time goes on, and the lyrics are just beautiful. If you pull up next to me at traffic lights, you’ll most likely hear me belting it out.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Stevo (main vocals and guitar): My Favourite lyric of all time is a hard one but if I had to choose it would have to be from an Eagles song called Get Over It: "Complain about the present blame it on the past, I'd like to find your inner child kick its little ass." Just says so much!
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Stevo: If I had to have one song for the rest of my life, I’d really have to go for Celebration at the End of the Road from Mammoth’s new album. It’s just such a high-paced song with so much to it and even now I find new elements each time I listen to it.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. And can stream our music from all streaming platforms like Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon.
Alan Corr
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