Spotlight On….Conflict Choir

Allow me to introduce my new Spotlight Artist

When I first came across the band it was via a message to my instagram account full of humble intentions and enquiring to whether I had the time to check out their modest new track. There was no ‘we’ve had x amount of stream here, or we’ve got x amount of follower here’. It was just plain and simple. ‘Appreciate if you’d have a listen, but no worries if not’. In this sense I had no preconceived notions when listening to the song. Honestly I think this simple way of reaching out endeared me even more to their music. The song, far from modest was rich in technical ability and dripping with a quiet confidence in their sound and musical direction.

So upon the release of their latest single I Feel Fine and ahead of their headline show in Birmingham this week, I thought it’d be a great time to get to know this very talented three piece from Birmingham just a little bit better.

I sent the questions, now lets see the answers….

Q: Could you give me a brief history of your musical beginnings?

A: We’re each session musicians and have all been touring with various artists from young ages. Ali started playing blues and rock guitar at age 6/7 and went on to play with artists from early ages of 12 till he was in Uli Jon Roth’s touring band from age 16 – all whilst still crafting an individual voice of his own.

George Cook (Bass) – started out playing classical music 2/3 years old before switching to jazz sax at 9/10. He made the switch to bass in the last 5 or so years before joining Conflict Choir

Jack (Drums) – Started out at 5/6 listening to rock drummers (Brian Downey/Jon Bonham/ Ginger Baker etc) and through time turned to fusion/jazz and all styles as well as keep his rock and funk roots.

Jack and Ali met playing for Andy Bennet from Ocean Colour Scene and since then started creating music with eventually led to Conflict Choir.

Q: Who were your influences in the beginning and have they changed up to this point?

A: Ali – Jimi Hendrix // Stevie Ray Vaughan // Rory Gallagher // Uli Jon Roth // Frank Marino // Richie Kotzen, The Beatles … a lot of guitar when I was younger. My focus shifted to the songwriting, singing and producing side with people like Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Kimbra, Moses Sumney , Hiatus Kaiotye, Kendrick Lemar, Danny Brown and much more … I like a lot of stuff 🤣

George – early years :

Blues and funk artists – Clapton / BB King / P Funk / John Lee Hooker – Blues Brothers Scene.

Later Years: Michael Brecker / Kenny Garrett (Sax) / Colin Stetson / Bass –à Pino Palladino / Sharay Read / Tim Lefebvre

Jack –
Early: Thin lizzy / Cream / Zeppelin
Later: Adam Dietsch (lettuce) Dan Mayo (TATRAN) Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree)

Q: When writing/recording/releasing music, which part is your favourite part of the process?

A: The Creation Process. Either when we’re jamming and crafting a song together in the practice room or when one of us comes in with a song and see’s it blossom with eachothers influence and collaboration.

Also piecing together how to play the songs in a live situation and how best to get our message across.

Q: Which part does your head in?

A: For us it’s the promotion side to fit into the algorithms and fitting into the online box.

A lot of our music is about the struggles we face with today’s world of technology and it’s impact on our mental health.

Q: What inspired you to write ‘I Feel Fine’?

A: In short – it’s about mental health and putting on a mask that hides the internal struggle that I think many people are going through silently.
This intertwines with the previous answer about the negative effects of the technologies we use today.

Q: What does the near future look like for Conflict Choir?

A: We’re releasing our full album “Strange Game” one track at a time and we’re putting on a release party across the country for each Single. The next one is in Birmingham on the 23/11/22 at the Victoria

Each track has it’s own visual identity and we have half of the album left to release. For each release we will be collaborating with various producers and artists to create different version of each track.

Now for some quick fire questions…..

Q: Favourite artist/band?

A: Ali – so many … Currently listening to Talk Wilkenfeld’s “Killing Me” so lets go with that.

George – Covet // Donny McCaslin band (The guys that played on David Bowies Blackstar)

Q: Guilty Pleasure artist?

A: Ali : probably Limp Bizkit..

George: Thomas Rhett

Q: What was the first Gig you went to?

A: Ali – I think it was actually a blues gig seeing Oli Brown and Walter Trout when I was 11 or so – Oli’s Band “Raven Eye” are killing it today too – After That I think it Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombies “Twins of evil” tour.

George: first one I remember was a small jazz gig – it was a bunch of guys from Christchurch New Zealand – I ended up studying under them later at my jazz college.

Q: Give us a fun fact about yourselves?

A: We’re a lockdown band … we recorded our full album in a garage and it sounds phaaat.

So there you have it! Once again a chance to get to know the musicians behind the magic they create. Tickets are still available for their Birmingham Headline show this coming Wednesday (follow the link below). Also, check out their back catalogue via the playlist below. 

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