Sinclaire's new single, Hollywood BLVD is out now! We chat to frontman Michael Cross about the release and more!
Image: Supplied.
Sydney alt-pop trio Sinclaire are taking over, having shared their latest stellar single Hollywood BLVD, as we inch closer to the release of their forthcoming debut body of work.
Hollywood BLVD seamlessly threads together R&B into an alt-pop soundscape, creating a nostalgic early 2000’s fusion of sounds, containing the bands exploration of cross-genre, pop-based music. The song serves as a theme song directed at those who follow their dreams, but instead find themselves "selling out" to fast track their success. Made complete with tongue-in-cheek lyricism that make reference to the influencer lifestyle and what it means to "make it in LA", the track takes a twist in its second half.
Forming in 2018, Sinclaire have spent their time honing in on their sound, drawing inspiration from a variety of genres to create their own unique sound. Band members Michael Cross and Aiden Turner worked together in a former band, which upon ending, prompted the two musicians to join forces on a new musical project. Before long, Cross enlisted his cousin and fellow musician Jake Sheath, and the trio have been making music ever since. 2020 saw Sinclaire dive in head first, releasing a string of singles, with their track Let’s Fly To Rome reaching over 70k stream.
Hollywood BLVD is out now! Read our full interview with Sinclaire below!
Tell us a bit about how you each began your musical journey and how the band formed…
We’ve all definitely had different beginnings. Jake had more of a traditional introduction to music. He was doing classical piano lessons and like… actual music theory. Whereas me and Aiden on the other hand just dove straight into being in bands and playing live. But it’s good because it gives a different perspective from both sides of music and we end up with a well-rounded group of musicians. As for how we formed me and Aiden used to be in a band before Sinclaire and when that band broke up we started a new one but needed a keyboard player… Turned out Jake, who was conveniently my cousin had a bunch of keyboards and synths and so I asked him to join and Sinclaire and the rest is history.
You’ve just released your new single Hollywood BLVD! What inspired the conceptual nature of the song?
Honestly the inspiration came from the idea of “selling out”. Basically everyone who’s someone ends up in LA and that was the theme for the song. I wanted to write about Hollywood and the connotations of selling out and all of the clichés that are linked to it
The track seamlessly threads together R&B into an alt-pop soundscape, creating a nostalgic early 2000’s fusion of sounds. How did you arrive at the genre bending soundscape of the track?
It was pretty natural to be honest. I personally draw inspiration from lots of different genres so when we go into the studio to write it’s never clear what we’ll come out with. But with this track I really wanted to focus on R&B and pop because those were two things that I used to really shy away from when I was a kid. I thought those genres were what sell outs wrote and they only existed to make money. Which if you couple this with the lyrical context it forms this irony that I think really makes the song what it is.
Could you tell us a bit about your creative process when writing and recording songs?
If I could describe it in one word probably.. “unpredictable”? We basically go into the studio every week with our producer (Nat Sherwood) and write something new. But because we draw inspiration from so many different styles of music and we don’t really want to conform to one genre, what we come out with each week is totally different to what we wrote the week before. But I think that’s what let’s us write the best music we can. We’re not writing music to be an “indie rock band” or a “synth-pop band” we’re just writing music to have fun and express ourselves. And if people can connect with that along the way then that makes it even better.
If Hollywood BLVD was a piece of visual art, which artwork would it be?
Composition 8 - Painting by Wassily Kandinsky It’s kind of a big mess on first look but the more you look the more it makes sense haha.
You’ve released some great visuals for tracks like Fly Me To Rome and Headspace. Will we be seeing a music video for Hollywood BLVD and can you give us any hints on what to expect?
Hmm. Probably not for this track! I actually do all the visuals for our band recently, design, photo edits, artwork etc and even the video for rome. I want to keep it that way and I find that my best work comes from not being forced. I’d rather wait for a future single when we have a really sick idea for a video than force something out just for the sake of it.
What do you think sets Sinclaire apart from other Aussie bands?
Our diversity in our music and our fan engagement. I try super hard to make sure everyone on our socials gets replied to and I think that’s such an important thing to do. People are taking the time to connect with your music, the least we can do is acknowledge it!
Australia has a diverse and vibrant music scene, who are some of your favourite Aussie acts and why?
Up Late. Max is the hardest working dude out there and also works with our producer Nat as well. Together they make some crazy tracks and I think they are going to get some serious international recognition in the next year. Also love NYNE & Sarah Saint James. Two incredible artists who are also strong members of the LGBTQI+ community.
What has been the most challenging part about creating music during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Honestly, COVID was the best thing to ever happen to our writing process. I personally had so much more free time and it really made me realise how seriously I wanted to be a songwriter. We went from writing once a month to literally multiple times a week. It really was a crazy year of development for us BTS.
The current pandemic has obviously put a halt to touring and performing live, what are your touring plans post pandemic? And what can people expect from a Sinclaire live show?
This is a great question because we honestly have barely begun thinking about it. We really want to wait until our set is perfect before we come back to playing shows.
RAPID FIRE
Biggest influences?
Lauv, Blackbear, Joji, Dua Lipa & Charli XCX to name a few
Dream collaboration?
Kenny Beats
Album that has had the most impact on you?
Parkway Drive - Horizons… it’s what got me into music properly
How do you define your musical style in 3 words?
Fun, Unpredictable, Relatable
Best song of 2020?
Daisy - Ashnikko
If you could create the soundtrack for any film, which one would it be?
Hm. Something like Tenet or any Nolan film
The best/most memorable show you’ve ever performed?
Selling out our first ever single release or opening for The Maine at the metro!
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
The Lost Boy - Cordae
Best concert you have been to?
The 1975 at the ICC
Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus?
MILEY FOREVER.
Last concert you went to?
Merci, Mercy at OAF.
If you were a Spice Girl, what would your spice nickname be?
Sarcastic Spice .. Spicy spice.
Guilty music pleasure?
Hate the term guilty pleasure so… none! Listen to what you want to without feeling guilty haha.
If you could support any artist on tour, who would it be?
Dua Lipa.. just so I could watch her perform every night
An artist you think has had the most influence on the music industry.
In recent years probably Charli XCX, Charlie Puth or Ariana Grande.
What advice would your current self, give your future self, for a year from now?
Keep. Writing. Music
The moment you knew you wanted to be a musician?
Probably when I first learnt a Parkway Drive song on guitar or something.