So I pick up the phone and start chatting with Ben, the drummer from Coasts. I start explaining who Outline are and he exclaims “Oh I know all about Outline! I’ve often picked it up and flicked through it.”
Coasts are an indie pop band with tropical leanings; they’ve been chosen as a band to watch in 2014 by iTunes, have over 20,000 fans on Facebook and have just announced an American tour... and haven’t yet released their debut album. Their rise to world stardom seems inevitable, and yet Ben, the drummer originally from Norwich still enjoys a coffee at the
Forum and remembers his family holidays at Overstand with fondness. Let’s see what we can expect from their Waterfront gig this month..
COASTS
How did you start making music? When I was 14 two of my best friends wanted to form a band; one was a bass player and one was a guitarist. I wanted to join so I had to be a drummer! I had played violin before and could read music. Also at that time I was playing football for Norwich Academy and had a bad turn on my ankle, which meant I couldn’t continue playing. Making music was a new direction for me. Also my grandad used to take me to a lot of jazz concerts in and around Norwich, and seeing his passion was inspirational to me.
What are your musical influences? Tere’s a session drummer called Steve Gadd, who has inspired me in the way he plays. I also really like Crystal Fighters and
14 /September 2014/
outlineonline.co.uk
Bombay Bicycle Club; they’re guitar bands but bringing in elements of dance and ethnic music in the same way we are. It’s pushed me as a musician to try out different elements of drumming. I had one particular drum teacher in Norwich, Cath Evans at Norwich Music Hub, who encouraged me to try different varieties of style and bring them into a more Western style of drumming. She’s amazing!
Why are you called Coasts? It means different things to each member of the band really. We all love the coast. When I was growing up we had a caravan in Overstrand near Cromer and it felt so special, like an escape to freedom. For me the coast is always linked to holidays and
“Te first time I got spotted in Norwich
like “Don’t get big headed now”.”
someone with a Coasts T-shirts on recognised me; my dad was
continued overleaf >
was after my first tour and
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