Drew Makes Noise started as guitarist with indie/dance crossover act Ed Zealous who released their NI Music Prize nominated debut album “Wired” via Fierce Panda subsidiary Club Fandango in 2014. Since disbandment, he’s been creating a vision in his home studio. Immersed in a world of synths, canned orchestras, guitar effects and late night psychedelic country walks, Drew’s been dreaming up a Psych-Pop-Prog-Rock world all of his own. After having his first show cancelled by the pandemic, Drew spent the following period honing his craft, releasing singles, videos and, recording his debut album. Self-produced but mixed in LA by Math Bishop (Two Door / Twin Atlantic) Drew has widely embellished the kitchen sink approach of his 1st singles.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hey Drew Makes Noise, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Gosh, a mixture of a few things. My Dad playing me lots of Rock and Roll, my Auntie lending me lots of New Romantic 7 inches, finding “the Best of the Monkees” LP on holiday. I used to listen to a little radio my mum and dad bought me and record shows on to cassette. I distinctly remember being really into Cliff Richard and the Young Ones doing Living Doll. Also they bought me a half decent keyboard when I was about 5. It had those buttons that play full chords - so with that and a little book I learned a few tunes and how chords worked. I wrote a song when I was 5 called “I’m Goin’ Wild”. I could sing you it now, but only for huge sums of money.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Jeez I’ll just pick one out of a hat. Golden Path by Chemical Brothers and Flaming Lips came on the radio just now. So lets pick Chemical Brothers. I’d really love someone to write a banging dance track and send me it to just throw a weird and wonderful vocal on. Slip into my DMs Chemical Brothers - or anyone really lol.
Your latest song is 'This Matter'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
Hmmmm. It was written during the pandemic. I’m not sure if that influenced the lyrics, but maybe the reflective mood for sure. In fact I wrote some of the lyrics a few years previous and they’d been floating around with no home. I’d also just got a hold of lots of orchestral samples and was just riffing away with flutes and Timpani - I love that stuff and could happily write orchestral stuff until I pop. Then there was a relaxation in some Covid laws and we were allowed to travel. Me and my wife and baby travelled to Killybegs in Donegal to hang with my parents who we hadn’t seen in months, and I had a demo of the music and I remember driving around the beautiful windswept countryside and working on ideas and enjoying some freedom.
What are you focussing on right now?
Right now I’m focussing on getting my album out. There’s definitely an element of putting out music that feels like clocking in. Some of it is fun and creative too like making music vids. But I’m really itching to get back to writing new music.
What are you most proud of?
I’m proud of not quitting music after my old band broke up. We went through the ringer with it, gave it our all and it didn’t fly, which was sad. Getting up from that and then taking the reins in this project was hard and the self doubt was strong. So I’m proud that I’ve seen that through to putting out an album.
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
Hmmm pretty much everything about putting music out these days is beyond grim. The endless YouTube vids of people telling you all the crap you should be doing to placate algorithms and how musicians are kinda encouraged to present themselves on the various platforms - I find totally cringe and subtractive from the vibe your trying to create. I don’t like sounding negative and am hopeful that some new forums might present themselves soon that are better suited to actual art, but currently it feels like the handcart has long since went up in flames and we are in the belly of hell. Theres a song my album called Thieves that is all about it. Who’s with me???
How do you structure your day?
Hmm - structure is a hard thing to come by. I’m a working musician and play in lots of bands solely for the money. Also - I do a lot of writing at night when everyone’s off to bed so all those late hours can make it hard to fit yourself back into how the rest of the world operates. I fantasise about the kind of life Nick Cave leads where he clocks in and out of his writing office 9 to 5. Some day!!!
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
I love to Surf, Run and have a VW camper. I haven’t surfed, ran or gone away in the van from second I decided to write this album - so - I’m looking forward to catching up to myself a bit.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Yes. Tonnes of Simply Red. Sorry Not Sorry!!!!
What are your plans for the future?
I’m looking forward to getting into DMN album 2 - I have so much material lying around waiting to get kicked into shape. I’m also accumulating some music thats more atmospheric and experimental that I’m making for an imaginary film. So yea just getting back to writing - that’s my happy place.