Skip to content
Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube Tiktok Linkedin
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Contact
  • Registration
  • Login
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Contact
  • Registration
  • Login
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • Everyman & Playhouse
    • FunnyBoyz Liverpool
    • The Bentley Liverpool
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Liverpool Watersports Centre
    • Strawberry Field
    • Relish Liverpool
    • Best Liverpool Restaurants
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • Boudoir Hotel Liverpool
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events Latest
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
    • A Tale of the Liver Birds
  • TRAVEL
    • Liverpool Airport
  • DIRECTORY
  • LIVE
Menu
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • Everyman & Playhouse
    • FunnyBoyz Liverpool
    • The Bentley Liverpool
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Liverpool Watersports Centre
    • Strawberry Field
    • Relish Liverpool
    • Best Liverpool Restaurants
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • Boudoir Hotel Liverpool
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events Latest
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
    • A Tale of the Liver Birds
  • TRAVEL
    • Liverpool Airport
  • DIRECTORY
  • LIVE
Search
Close

Matt Jacobson interviews Milo Seabird

March 16, 2020
|
by Matthew Jacobson

Matt Jacobson interviews Ollie Hawes and Nico Hercules from Milo Seabird about their new Ep, I Lie Low, their influences and recording with Si Jones from The Verve.

What was the initial connection between you all, similar influences, or a desire to form a band?

Ollie – I was looking for a collaborator, I saw Nico’s previous band , Lumin Bells, sometime around 2015 and I was impressed. I contacted Nico on Facebook in 2018 to see if he was up for working together and he responded straight away.

The name, Milo Seabird, where does it stem from.?

Ollie – Nico came up with it and I couldn’t think of anything better. It doesn’t have a meaning, it just sounds good!

How do you write songs, is it a combined approach, or worked on separately and merged together in the studio?

Ollie – Nico’s had a lot of songs from before we met plus we’ve co-written a few. I’ll usually start with a chord progression and a vague melody and I’ll play it over and over. While Nico ad libs some words which then inspires me to come up with lines.

Your influences include; Sparklehorse, Johnny Marr and Teenage Fanclub. What is it about them that influence you?

Melody and melancholy feel…. I think our influences are more songwriters than performers, or rock stars.

Are you constantly thinking about writing songs, or is it more mechanical and you think, it’s now time to write a song?

Nico – I think you get bursts of really wanting to write. Sometimes you’re completely obsessed with writing and you sort of get the bug for it and all you want to do is write. It can be all you think about. Other times it feels like the tank’s empty and you can’t even muster the energy to pick up a guitar!

How would you describe your music, or sound?

Uplifting melodic music with moody undertones. That’s how Wez describes us on our instagram page anyway!

The Ep, I Lie Low is collaboration between songwriters, `could you expand on the song itself and the EP?

Nico – For I Lie Low , Ollie had this great riff that we were sort of jamming over in my front room. He was plugged into the amp and I just started singing the melody over it. I Lie Low just came out. I went off to work on the lyrics and he went off to work on the arrangement. I was going through a rough time around then, so I was writing about that. I don’t think I could write anything like that now, I’m not so miserable these days!

Tides & Time , was another song we worked on together. Ollie was playing this lovely little tune on my acoustic at mine and I remember asking him what it was?. I think he kind of shrugged and said it was just something he had. Anyway, after he left, it stuck in my head and I wasn’t sure whether he had any melody or lyrics, but I loved it so much that I wanted to get involved. So, I just started writing a song around it. I think I had a couple verses before asking if he’d mind if I tried to come up with something for it. Thankfully he didn’t. We finished it off a couple of weeks later, working on the chorus together between takes while recording it at the Motor Museum. That’s one of my favourites.

Somehow the Same, was written quickly. I had this little picking riff and then the lyric came as I sang over it. I went over it a couple of times and it was done. A stream of consciousness I think they call it…

Can’t Blame Me, was written like this too. Sometimes songs come quickly and it’s a bit of a mystery how that happens, but other times they’re a bit like trying to solve a puzzle and you must persevere to make them work.

Gone Too Soon, was written after a bottle of wine or two. I wouldn’t have ever remembered it if I hadn’t recorded it on my phone. I was going through my recordings a couple of days later and was surprised to find it. I changed a couple of the words but it’s pretty close to the drunken original.

I believe you recorded with Si Jones from the Verve, how did that come about, and did you learn anything from his experience?

Ollie – I discovered he was working at a studio near Chester. We’re all big Verve fans so I contacted the studio owner and a short while later I got a call from Si. He liked the songs I sent over to him so he agreed to record us. He’s dead enthusiastic and seemed into what we were doing.

Nico – We recorded it at Faktory – this great recording studio out in the sticks somewhere in Cheshire. It was this big old house with gear and equipment all over the place, cables and amps everywhere. We were all set up in different rooms. I was in the back room on my own with the acoustic and a mic. Wez was in the front room on the drums opposite Jamie and Ollie across the hall. And I think Dave was in the toilet as it was the only place left with any room for the bass amp. We got a great sound in there though, we played a few live takes and we got it on take 5, I think. There was a great vibe in there. We were all on it that day – it was ace.

And what is next for Milo Seabird?

Milo Seabird EP Launch

Ollie – And hopefully another EP. Nico go’s some new tunes and we’ve co-written another one. Classics all of them…!

Matt Jacobson interviews Milo Seabird

READ MORE: Matthew Jacobson Interviews Liverpudlian Singer & Songwriter John Jenkins

Gaucho has arrived in Liverpool!

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email
Print

THE LATEST

pexels-pixabay-326612
15 Valentine’s Day date ideas in Liverpool 
Coleman and Onana EtC 41 Goodison Road event at Finch Farm
Everton Players help celebrate 35 years of Everton in the Community
Maritime Museum
Half Term at St George's Quarter Liverpool
Return of the Gods exhibiton at World Museum
Return of the Gods heads to the World Museum this April
TheHousethatKittBuilt
Royal Albert Dock Liverpool lights up 2023 with free family-friendly entertainment 'Fiesta of Fire'
2022 Recruitment Day
Liverpool John Lennon Airport to host Recruitment Day for almost 200 airport vacancies
EUROVOL004
Eurovision host city wants YOU to get involved!
428b0c14f22ce4177a1e00a02bde4980cbea0afa
Temporary changes to Merseyrail Northern Line services in February
the beatles story
The Beatles Story invites you to a ‘Pilgrimage for George’ event commemorating his 80th birthday
FE8A85EF-093B-4EC2-9D52-3D18522712C1
Faces behind the Business – Neil Hodgson - Mean-Eyed Cat

WhatsAppenin LIVERPOOL!

Receive WhatsApp notifications about the latest big news, events, offers, competitions and much more!

SIGN UP NOW

Stay in the loop

Stay up to date with all the latest news, articles, events, and offers from across Liverpool!

We never share your information with anyone.

OTHER LINKS

  • Liverpool Maps
  • FAQs
  • Privacy Policy

SUB LINKS

  • About Us
  • Services
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

DIRECTORY LINKS

  • Business Login
  • Register
  • View Directory

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube Tiktok Linkedin

At Explore Liverpool we are all about bringing you everything the Liverpool City Region has to offer and more!

© 2022 Explore Liverpool

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
SettingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Explore Liverpool With Us!

Don't miss a thing. Sign up for our weekly roundup straight to your inbox! 🙌

Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!