Alessandra
BILK, a three-piece band from Essex, consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Sol Abrahams, bass player Luke Hare and drummer Harry Gray. The band’s style is a unique mix of different genres including punk and hip-hop that has evolved over the past year or so. With four singles out for both streaming and purchase now and much anticipation for what they will release next, BILK is definitely an upcoming band to keep an eye on.
In an interview with CelebMix, Sol Abrahams spoke about future plans regarding BILK’s music, the start of the band and more.
How did the band originally form and what inspired you to choose the name BILK?
We [the band] met through social media and friends of friends kind of thing. It’s been a kind of small and tight knit thing. It was easy to stumble across each other. We all liked the same things. The same music, the same style, you know? We got on well. It kind of happened naturally.
Your latest single is ‘Slob.’ What can you tell me about that song and its message?
The song and the message behind is basically because ever since I was young and in my teenage years and into college, I was seen as a bit of a “do nothing” and a “toss up.” People always kind of criticised me for it. Teachers would say I would do nothing with my life and that I was lazy. People only saw one side of it and they missed out on the side where I’m working hard on my music and putting songs together. There’s a lot more work that goes into it, but just because I don’t have a conventional job or go to university, people don’t [sometimes] take it seriously. It doesn’t mean that I’m not as valid or not as smart. That’s what the song’s about!
Out of all of your songs released right now, which one do you resonate the most with and why?
It’s hard because we have four songs out at the moment and I’d say I resonate with all of them equally in different ways. All of the songs are about my life and different experiences or different outlooks on things. It’s a way of getting my own thoughts and ideas out there. If I had to resonate with one of them most, it would probably be ‘Slob’ or ‘Give Up.’
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I know you have four singles on streaming platforms as of now, is there a plan for an EP or full length album in the works?
We’ve been writing a bunch. I’ve wrote about 40 tunes already and we have loads in the works. We haven’t figured out the order or what songs [for an EP or album] yet, so we don’t have a set EP or album. It’s definitely a plan for the future and something we are looking into building. I think an EP would be good to do next!
There are some people who may be just discovering your music and hearing your songs for the first time. What do you want them to know about your band?
We’re kind of trying to do something new and different. We are kind of aiming high with it. I have big inspirations and big influences from band music to hip hop music as well. I grew up on Eminem! I want people to listen to the lyrics and understand what it’s about. I want people to listen to these songs and appreciate them for what they are. I want people to listen to it properly. I love the idea of getting the music heard.
What music or artists inspire you and the songs you create?
The inspiration comes a lot from the punk influence and fast paced tunes. There’s also rap verses and all of that. Nirvana are a massive influence even though you can’t really hear it. Kurt Cobain used to write in a punk and grunge style, but also in a standard way. It was the intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge type of traditional songwriting style. I try to do the same with my music. That’s kind of a big influence for me. A lot of it is subconscious as well. There are loads of great artists and bands I take influences from, but I also want to make the music my own. I don’t want it to sound exactly like anything else.
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You have been performing live for fans at have some more tour dates coming up. How has it been to be on stage and sing your songs to an audience? What’s the best part?
I suppose the best part of doing it is being on stage and kind of having a voice. You’re able to be heard and sing the lyrics that I have spent a lot of time writing. I get to sing songs that are personal to me and about my life to other people. Also, the energy as well. I love playing a show and having people bop about in the audience. It’s just a really good feeling. The reason we do it is the thought of someone connecting and relating to the music. Hearing about it and a fan’s connection to our songs is the best thing ever.
When you’re not performing or making music, what do you all like to do on your free time?
We love to chill out and hang about where we live! There’s not a lot to do where we are, so we try to do what we can when we are in other places. We spend most of our time making the music and chilling with mates mostly. We play pool too.
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If you could tour with any band or artist in 2019, who would it be and why?
I’d like to work with a new band or artist that’s current and young and fresh. I want to support fresh and young British talent that’s coming up. I like to keep things moving forward. There aren’t any festivals in the U.K. that have headliners who are young and upcoming artists. It would be really cool if there were festivals with fresh and new artists or bands. Music needs to move forward and talk about what’s going on in this generation. That’s why I got the band [BILK] together. I want to make music that people can relate to and that it’s also modern. I want my music to be a soundtrack for young people’s lives.
Looking into 2019 again, what can fans look forward to in the future?
There are going to be more shows, more music and more content. Just everything really! More tunes are going to be coming out. New tunes have been recorded and set for 2019 already. We just got out of the studio. There’s going to be a lot of new things to look at on social media and Youtube!
What is your favorite song from BILK? Tweet us using @CelebMix and let us know!
