Media article

Twisted Spectrum-A colourful interview.

With their new found success Twisted Spectrum is a name every teenager has heard of, and with their first tour and debut album it’s easy to say they’ve been a little busy lately. That’s why I was both surprised and enthusiastic when the lead singer Ned Smith offered to be interviewed by us here at TMM.

Raised in the county of Somerset in England Ned smith moved to Wales with his family at age 12. It’s therefore somewhat fitting, that destined for big things he chose to make the big city of Cardiff his home. It was here that he met members Joseph Land and Brandon Wiltshire and the trio began a friendship that would one day become a band. At just fourteen years of age they began rehearsals, and aged fifteen performed live for the first time at a battle of the bands event. Coming first place and with lots of encouragement from their friends and family at sixteen they took the name Twisted Spectrum and began work on their first official album.

As he walks in dressed in baggy jeans and a hoodie he gives off an air of confidence seen in few 17 year olds, pale blue eyes and shoulder length brown hair, his appearance is one of the average teenager and unless you knew him he could be easily mistaken as a normal seventeen year old he greets me with a friendly ‘Hello’ and big grin before I offer him a seat and begin my questions.

TMM: ‘First of all I’d just like to thank you for being here today not many teenagers your age are as successful and famous as you are, its quite a feat, have you enjoyed singing so far and what’s inspired you to write these songs?’

NS: “Singings my life, it’s how I express myself in my own way and I enjoy every moment of it. As for inspiration a lot of the songs are based around memories, if it wasn’t for past experiences they would just be words on paper.”

TMM: ‘That’s a good answer, your songs offer a range of diversity from rock and metal to indie, is there any reason for this?’

NS: “I just like to be unique, I want everyone to be able to listen to my music not just one genre of fans. I think everybody likes a variety of different music types and as long as I can offer at least a few I feel I’m doing things right.”

TMM: ‘Are there any bands that inspired you to create such a wide range of music?’

NS: ‘Definitely, my favourite bands played a big part in this, I regularly  listen to bands like Slipknot and Metallica but I’m just as likely to listen to Bombay Bicycle Club or Fleet Foxes. Just like the music I listen to, the songs I write all depend on the mood I’m in.’

TMM: ‘What are your hopes for the future?’

NS: ‘Well I cant lie its a lot of people’s dreams to be rich and famous and I do sometimes dream of that, but honestly I’m happy just making music, as long as things stay the same I’ll be happy.’

TMM: ‘when can we expect your new album ‘Caught in the smoke’ to be released?’

NS: ‘It comes out February the 14^th, with the single, ‘Shadows in the corridors’ available for download at the end of this month.

TMM: ‘What gave you the idea for the album name?’

NS: ‘It was Jo’s idea and all three of us agreed on it, the songs and lyrics in this album are a lot darker than previous albums, so we thought ‘Caught in the smoke’ suited it.

TMM: ‘I’ll be one of the many fans eagerly awaiting its release. Have you been on tour before?’

NS: ‘We’ve done a small tour in the UK but plan to take it worldwide. Our first worldwide tour will start the end of June and we’ll be touring all across America, as well as Germany, Britain and Australia.

TMM: ‘If you had to describe yourself in one word what would it be?’

NS: ‘That’s easy, ‘Different!’ I can be unusual at times but it’s who I am, and as long as I’m happy like this I don’t see the need to change it.’

TMM: ‘With all your success you haven’t had much time to yourself. Do you have time for hobbies?’

NS: ‘Not all the time, a lot of my times spent with the band but given the chance I like to go out with mates and just have fun.’

TMM: ‘How does it feel to be appearing on the front cover? Do you think your newfound success will change the way you write songs?’

NS: ‘It’s quite surreal and exciting. If you told me two years ago I wouldn’t have believed you, I think it will influence our songs, before it was just about us but now I feel the pressure to please the fans. I think it’s a positive thing though, and will push us to perform at our best.

TMM: ‘Thank You for the interview, its been great having you here and I hope we continue to see more of your work and I look forward to listening to you guys perform live’.

NS: ‘It’s been an exciting experience being here, thank you.

We shake hands and say our goodbyes as he leaves I watch him walk away and can’t help but see big things coming our way from Twisted Spectrum.