01Profile
A Guest Singer Photo
Guest Singer
Musician — Doncaster
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
My name is Jake Cope and I come from a fairly mediocre town called Doncaster.
The rest of the band is France Lahmar, Paul Burdett, Brad Clifford and Max Hodgkinson. All from the same mediocre setting. It’s the mundane that bonds us!
Describe your style in three words?
Domestic Dark Disco.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I went to see Bob Dylan with my Grandad. He’s a huge fan and passed that to me and to share that moment with him was special. This ('Shooting Star') is his favourite Dylan song.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
These aren’t two bands exactly but probably an early '50s era Johnny Cash and June Carter. To do that country thing, all singing around one microphone with those two would be amazing.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
It was the period when if you were into alternative/rock music you would be branded a ‘sweaty’, or at least where I grew up. That’s where I sort of fell in. I wouldn’t say it’s influenced me musically per se but it was a ‘subculture’ that I found my self a part of.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I think the influence that Jack Kerouac really gave to songwriting and how people approached lyric writing after him is sometimes overlooked. He was wild.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
We supported Magazine once in Hatfield at place a called The Forum. It had a disco ball the size of a house above the crowd. Can never say no to a disco ball, especially one the size of a house.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
John Martyn. He transcended traditional folk into world music. An amazing guitarist but only did as much as the song needed. The ‘Solid Air’ album had a load of different vibes on it. This is one of my favourites.
Describing their music as "party songs; anti-motivational anthems for the post-truth generation" Guest Singer takes a swipe at the nature of modern life and its reliance on social media in their indie synth-pop songs. Their EP 'Limbo Days' is out now.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Common People' by Pulp
This was huge when I was growing up and is an unofficial national anthem. I nearly got to go and see them on TFI Friday but I was too young. It’s just got pinpoint accuracy.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Gold Mine Gutted' by Bright Eyes
So this band totally changed my life. I remember finding them and as I kept digging and finding more songs I just fell deeper down the rabbit hole.
One record you would keep forever?
'Kiss Off' by Violent Femmes
I love this record. It’s one of those records that just captures something unique and almost can be repeated. They never quite lived up to this again in my opinion.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'Ask' by The Smiths.
"Spending warm summer days indoors"
The feel of this song is just perfect. Smiths era Morrissey was revolutionary.
A song you wished you had written?
'Love and Affection' by Joan Armatrading
It’s her most well known but there is a reason for that. The structure of this song is just so free and each section seems to just find its way to the next. When the orchestra comes in on the chorus as well just lifts it cinematic. She’s so descriptive as well and delivers it in a way that is effortless.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Amos Moses' by Jerry Reed
It’s a dirty guitar line, a funny story and underlying darkness about it. Jerry Reed was great at delivery. It gives me an odd ‘Deliverance’ feel about it.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Chameleon' by Herbie Hancock
I don’t think I have any songs that would be like ‘I didn’t expect him to like that’. So I’m just using this question to put a great song in. This is ALL about the groove! The beat is on another plane.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Superman' by Black Lace.
It’s just pure dance floor gold!
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'My Heart Will Go' On by Celine Dion
This was a staple in a school disco for the last dance. At least when I was growing up.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?'
'Strange Place' by Goldfishes
A few friends of ours from Leeds have started a band and they are really cool on a number of levels. This is their debut single.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
My name is Jake Cope and I come from a fairly mediocre town called Doncaster.
The rest of the band is France Lahmar, Paul Burdett, Brad Clifford and Max Hodgkinson. All from the same mediocre setting. It’s the mundane that bonds us!
Describe your style in three words?
Domestic Dark Disco.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I went to see Bob Dylan with my Grandad. He’s a huge fan and passed that to me and to share that moment with him was special. This ('Shooting Star') is his favourite Dylan song.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
These aren’t two bands exactly but probably an early '50s era Johnny Cash and June Carter. To do that country thing, all singing around one microphone with those two would be amazing.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
It was the period when if you were into alternative/rock music you would be branded a ‘sweaty’, or at least where I grew up. That’s where I sort of fell in. I wouldn’t say it’s influenced me musically per se but it was a ‘subculture’ that I found my self a part of.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I think the influence that Jack Kerouac really gave to songwriting and how people approached lyric writing after him is sometimes overlooked. He was wild.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
We supported Magazine once in Hatfield at place a called The Forum. It had a disco ball the size of a house above the crowd. Can never say no to a disco ball, especially one the size of a house.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
John Martyn. He transcended traditional folk into world music. An amazing guitarist but only did as much as the song needed. The ‘Solid Air’ album had a load of different vibes on it. This is one of my favourites.
Describing their music as "party songs; anti-motivational anthems for the post-truth generation" Guest Singer takes a swipe at the nature of modern life and its reliance on social media in their indie synth-pop songs. Their EP 'Limbo Days' is out now.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Common People' by Pulp
This was huge when I was growing up and is an unofficial national anthem. I nearly got to go and see them on TFI Friday but I was too young. It’s just got pinpoint accuracy.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Gold Mine Gutted' by Bright Eyes
So this band totally changed my life. I remember finding them and as I kept digging and finding more songs I just fell deeper down the rabbit hole.
One record you would keep forever?
'Kiss Off' by Violent Femmes
I love this record. It’s one of those records that just captures something unique and almost can be repeated. They never quite lived up to this again in my opinion.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'Ask' by The Smiths.
"Spending warm summer days indoors"
The feel of this song is just perfect. Smiths era Morrissey was revolutionary.
A song you wished you had written?
'Love and Affection' by Joan Armatrading
It’s her most well known but there is a reason for that. The structure of this song is just so free and each section seems to just find its way to the next. When the orchestra comes in on the chorus as well just lifts it cinematic. She’s so descriptive as well and delivers it in a way that is effortless.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Amos Moses' by Jerry Reed
It’s a dirty guitar line, a funny story and underlying darkness about it. Jerry Reed was great at delivery. It gives me an odd ‘Deliverance’ feel about it.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Chameleon' by Herbie Hancock
I don’t think I have any songs that would be like ‘I didn’t expect him to like that’. So I’m just using this question to put a great song in. This is ALL about the groove! The beat is on another plane.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Superman' by Black Lace.
It’s just pure dance floor gold!
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'My Heart Will Go' On by Celine Dion
This was a staple in a school disco for the last dance. At least when I was growing up.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?'
'Strange Place' by Goldfishes
A few friends of ours from Leeds have started a band and they are really cool on a number of levels. This is their debut single.