RADAR: SAHARA
We spoke with SAHARA earlier on this week; a blossoming new indie band from Dundee. Following the release of their new single 'Scratch' ahead of the release of their debut EP later this month, the quartet have been inundated with plaudits and praise. With a slot at this years Y Not Festival also secured for later this month, the future is looking blindingly bright for the four-piece.
Who are SAHARA?
We're a 4 piece band from Dundee - Adam (vocals/guitar), Megan (guitar), Keir (bass) and Ally (drums).
You recently unveiled new track 'Scratch' ahead of your debut EP released later this month, how has the response been so far?
It's been brilliant and beyond our expectations. Loads of websites and blogs have been getting behind it and have given it good reviews so far. It was featured on one called Indie Shuffle yesterday which has something like over 100,000 Facebook likes and 55,000 Twitter followers so that's given it a push by literally about 1000 plays. It's just amazing to be reaching a wider range of listeners outwith Dundee. Our management have also been sharing it with industry people and they all seem to have loved it which is surreal but good to hear.
Who are your biggest influences and inspirations?
We constantly go through different phases of influences but overall it seems to be bands like Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, The Smiths, Joy Division, Babyshambles etc. The Scottish new music scene is so good just now as well - you've got The Lapelles who we've always predicted will be massive and also Neon Waltz, JR Green and Vladimir and so many more bands with lots of potential. Scotland in general is a big influence on us.
You're playing this year's Y Not Festival, how excited are you for this?
We're buzzing to play Y Not Festival; the lineup is amazing, it's our first ever festival and English gig and it'll be a great weekend away with our mates who we're bringing down with us in the van. We just hope people come and see us now.
What's the aim?
The aim is just to enjoy ourselves and hopefully make an impression.
What's next for SAHARA?
Once the EP is out we aim to just play more gigs, work on new material and see what happens. Our management (Riverman Management) who also manage bands like Placebo and Wild Beasts are in the process of opening up a new Dundee office so we're going to make the most of that with bookings, planning and promotion. They're also away to make a film alongside a brilliant producer set in Dundee in 1979 so we're getting involved with that somehow which is something different!
Socials:
Twitter: @saharatheband
