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Double page spread one "Introducing the coup" Body-copy:  Pre- subediting

Forge Magazine gains an exclusive interview with Abigail Holland Front woman of Sheffield based The Coup.

Lets start from the beginning, How did the band meet and form?

Well, we were all actually friends in secondary school I guess we met in classes, music actually. I remember we had this coursework project where we had to make a song and we just got along really well when it came to making music and we thought that if we formed a band then we could entertain fans and make a bit of money on the side as well. Starting off was really easy for us. We got a few gigs straight away and we were really eager to play our own songs for people.  

Have you always played music in Sheffield? And if not where else have you played?

We’ve definitely spread out a bit since the band formed. Not that far though. I think the furthest away we’ve been would be our gigs in Leeds and chesterfield . We definitely want to go further in time. The main focus has always been reaching as many people as we can.

 How would you describe the music you produce?

Our music is definitely abstract. I’m usually concerned about sounding the same as everyone else because I feel that the audience for that music already exists and people will just listen to the others over us. It’s really difficult to become popular when you sound the same. In terms of genre the music is definitely indie, kinda rock and kinda punk. Like I said though, it’s really hard to categorise when the sound it’s so intentionally unique. We were definitely trying to find a gap in the market and set a new trend because if it works then people will listen to our band and the messages we’re sending out in the music.

What would you say that you write your music about?

Well, when I’m writing music it usually tends to be about what’s going on in my life. Like, if I was feeling really stressed out with work then I would write a song about being stressed out and what I do to get over the stress. I put a lot of emotion into my work so it sounds a lot different depending on how I was feeling when I wrote it. Sometimes when I’m happy and relaxed I write songs about that.

Do you find Sheffield to be a rewarding place to play music?

Sheffield has to be one of the best places to be a band a play music. There are so many places to play music like the area for huge bands but it’s the indie scene that makes it so easy for new groups to gain a following. We could play the O2 Academy, West Street live and the Mulberry tavern easily and the people here are great to play to as well. I think when you talk about Sheffield being a rewarding place to create music its clearly true because of the huge acts that have come out of this city. There’s the Artic  Monkeys, Def leopard and bring me the horizon just off the top of my head and I’m sure that there are far more incredible acts in the city. There is so much talent here and I think that’s all don to the encouragement and resources that the city has for people who want to play music and the accessibility of the music to the people who live here. I know that I wouldn’t be playing music now if the school that I went to didn’t have a whole department dedicated to sound recording. I think that it’s important to make people think, “It can work. I can be in a band” because honestly if people believe that then there’s no reason they cant in this city.

Double page spread one "Introducing the coup" Body-copy:  Post- subediting

 

It is a well-known fact that Sheffield is no less than a breeding ground for indie rock music. The latest addition to the local music industry is The Coup, less than six months after their inception this group has completely taken over the scene. This week Forge magazine has an exclusive one on one with Abbie Holland,the groups’ frontwoman as they promote their debut album “Smoking city” which is to be released on the 24th of May.

Lets start from the begining, How did the band meet and form?

Well, we were all actually friends in secondary school, I guess we met in classes, music actually. I remember we had this coursework project where we had to make a song and we just got along really well when it came to making music and we thought that if we formed a band then we could entertain fans and make a bit of money on the side as well. Starting off was really easy for us. We got a few gigs straight away and we were really eager to play our own songs for people. 

Have you always played music in Sheffield? And if not where else have you played?

We’ve definitely spread out a bit since the band formed. Not that far though. I think the furthest away we’ve been would be our gigs in Leeds and chesterfield. We definitely want to go further in time. The main focus has always been reaching as many people as we can.

 How would you describe the music you produce?

Our music is definitely abstract. I’m usually concerned about sounding the same as everyone else because I feel that the audience for that music already exists and people will just listen to the others over us. It’s really difficult to become popular when you sound the same.
In terms of genre the music is definitely indie, kinda
rock and kinda punk. Like I said though, its really hard to categorize when the sound it’s so intentionally unique. We were definitely trying to find a gap in the market and set a new trend because if it works then people will listen to our band and the messages we’re sending out in the music.
What would you say that you write your music about?
Well, when I’m writing music it usually tends to be about what’s going on in my life. Like, if I was feeling really stressed out with work then I would write a song about being stressed out and what I do to get over the stress. I put a lot of emotion into my work so it sounds a lot different depending on how I was feeling when I wrote it. Sometimes when I’m happy and relaxed I write songs about that.
Do you find Sheffield to be a rewarding place to play music?
Sheffield has to be one of the best places to be a band a play music. There are so many places to play music like the area for huge bands but it’s the indie scene that makes it so easy for new groups to gain a following. We could play the O2 Academy, West Street live and the Mulberry tavern easily and the people here are great to play to as well. I think when you talk about Sheffield being a rewarding place to create music its clearly true because of the huge acts that have come out of this city. There’s the Artic Monkeys, Def leopard and bring me the horizon just off the top of my head and I’m sure that there are far more incredible acts in the city. There is so much talent here and I think that’s all don to the encouragement and resources that the city has for people who want to play music and the accessibility of the music to the people who live here. I know that I wouldn’t be playing music now if the school that I went to didn’t have a whole department dedicated to sound recording. I think that its important to make people think “It can work. I can be in a band” because honestly if people believe that then there’s no reason they cant in this city.

“Smoking city” is set to be one of the most successfull indie music debut albums of a generation.