A Chat with Pirates of Radio (08.08.2022)
Pioneers of remote collaboration, Pirates of Radio, have been creating some excellent pieces of sonic art over the years. This continues with their debut album When Stars Collide which is a collection of the singles they have released over the last few years as they come together for a new piece of musical art. Including songs that have not been released before, the album allows listeners to sink into the tale of their music. We had the chance to talk with Pirates of Radio about the album, remote collaboration before it was cool, experimental sounds, real-life meetings and much more!
OSR: You have been a bit of a pioneer of remote collaborations as you all live in different parts of the world, but how did you all initially connect with each other?
Pirates of Radio: Hey! Thanks for the interview. Yeah, we started doing this back in 2017, way before Covid, and at the time it felt quite new and exciting. Now it just feels like the normal way of working.
Our guitarist and synth master, Vernon, is the original glue. We all met him back in South Africa (where we’re from originally) way back in the 90s as we moved in the same creative circles with other bands and projects, and through the years kept in touch.
In 2017, Vernon reached out to each of us and Pirates of Radio was born. We’ve had a few other friends join in for periods over the years (and previous members Francious Kruger and Shaun Lyon both had a hand in a couple of songs from the album). Fun fact, vocalist and guitarist Gideon (based in the UK) has never met lyricist Ramon (lives in Thailand) in person, but years of WhatsApp chats and calls have created a really strong friendship and creative connection. One day we will meet and have an epic party together!
OSR: The way you create your music allows for individuality to shine, while adding to the whole of the band’s sound. How easy do you find it to balance the different styles everyone has?
Pirates of Radio: We do indeed have quite different tastes and styles and we think this is part of what makes our sound and range somewhat unique. The remote model actually helps these different energies work together. If we were in a room together we might not have the time or space to be individually creative without boundaries, which the remote setup allows. The main thing is to keep the focus on what serves the song best, and then allow yourself to go wild with whatever creative idea or direction comes to mind. Nothing is off limits and every idea is worth a try.
OSR: You have recently released your debut album When Stars Collide. What made you decide that now is the right time for this?
Pirates of Radio: After we finished our most recent new songs ‘Something / Nothing’ and ‘S7V7N’, we stepped back and looked at what we’ve created together over the last 5 years, and it just felt like a complete story, the first chapter in our book. By releasing it now we’re able to set the songs free and move on to the next chapter as a band.
OSR: The album has all your previously released singles and two new tracks. How do you feel they all connect to each other?
Pirates of Radio: Yes, it includes our previous 7 singles plus 2 brand new tracks, as mentioned. We found that by listening to these 9 songs together as one listening experience, it somehow gave each song more meaning and impact than on its own. By mixing all the ingredients together we were able to create a new magical sonic potion. The title When Stars Collide kinda symbolises this creative alchemy.
OSR: Is there a specific story or theme to the album?
Pirates of Radio: The album tells a story we’ve been writing since our start in 2017. Our lyricist Ramon draws from personal experiences when writing the lyrics, exploring themes ranging from personal loss, fear, hope, depression, healing, love and relationships, and addiction to general questions about life, in his own uniquely abstract voice. Sometimes the lyrics will inspire the melodies, and sometimes it’s the other way around.
Musically we try to be experimental, with no limits or boundaries set, but a common style and energy have emerged, progressive rock with definite anthemic pop sensibilities, tunes that get you thinking and then dancing. There’s a strong vibe of emotional introspection and melancholy in our sound.
OSR: Your music has a rather experimental sound that flows into more melodic movements. What is your creative process?
Pirates of Radio: Our process is quite fluid. We write and record everything individually in our own studio setups and share ideas and files via WhatsApp and the cloud. First, a new riff or melody or lyric idea will be shared, then a beat added, a bass riff tested, more lyrics written, melodies formed etc and this process will repeat and repeat and repeat until finally birth is given to a new creation. It can be hard work at times, but as long as the creative inspiration is there we’ll continue with an idea, as it’s loads of fun and totally worth it.
OSR: You have managed to pack a lot of emotions into each of the tracks on the album, but what is the one thing you would like people to leave with after listening?
Pirates of Radio: A sense of renewed hope for life. Also a strong urge to press play again and listen to it one more time.
OSR: As most of the album has been released over 5 years as singles, is there a track that holds a special place in your heart?
Pirates of Radio: Each song is from a specific time in our lives and given that it was written and released over a period of 5 years each one has its own special meaning and memories. Our debut single ‘Beehive Riot’ is perhaps a bit more special as this was the first song where we found our voice and realised we’ve found a bit of magic worth exploring further.
OSR: While your musicality seems to know no bounds, your music sits primarily in rock. Is this something that you have consciously achieved or did it happen organically?
Pirates of Radio: It happened organically but was expected, given that we’re all 90’s grunge kids with a strong love for all things rock. But we also love some of the more electro and synth elements we’re able to layer in which adds a distinct 80’s pop vibe to our sound as well (we’re all 80s kids as well).
OSR: While none of you have ever met in person, are you planning to in the future?
Pirates of Radio: Definitely and hopefully someday soon. Vernon is a pilot so we’re just waiting for him to organise us a jet and take us on tour.
OSR: Do you have any plans or are you working on any new music we can look forward to?
Pirates of Radio: We’re in a bit of hibernation and creative recharging mode at the moment, enjoying the fruits of our labour before we write the next chapter. But lots of new ideas are already flowing around!
Thanks to Pirates of Radio for chatting with us! You can find more about them on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
