A fresh single from River Knight brings out hey sort of classic 90s underground alternative rock vibe with acoustic guitar driven songwriting and an indie rock vocal style that touches on bands like the Pixies but also feels like the stuff that you see on late night MTV when you were a kid.
"Unsprung" touches on all these aspects of great rock songwriting and does it with that authentic character that just feels slightly nostalgic but all around really good to listen to.
Vocals are kind of subtly soft very melodic but also have that edginess to them. The whole thing comes together with just the perfect aesthetic, and it leaves a mark.
This is quite a memorable track as it does have some cool hooks that managed to stick with you, and you do find yourself at least wanting to sing along by the end of the song. This is definitely one of those songs that feel like it was part of the soundtrack of your life at some point in time like it means something more to you personally.
It has a way of grabbing out at you and snagging your attention pretty quickly with the overall soundscape in general let alone the songwriting that keeps you afloat with the songs feel the entire time.
The song does feel personal in a way. You start to wonder about whether or not this is a love song, and you want to know more.
What's just as cool is the actual music video that accompanies the single itself. It sticks to that aesthetic. It's true to that genuine 90s alt rock style an approach.
This song is addicting as all hell honestly and the video only makes it better than it was the first time you heard it.
With the release of such a killer single and video we wanted to sit down with the band to find out where this all came from and what might be next for them.
Here's what happened.
RAG: Let's kick things off with "Unsprung". This track has a great acoustic rock feel to it. Where did this single come from?
Mark: Our usual process hahaha. Few drinks, late night jamming.
Darren: I had the basic progression and the first couple of lines of words, so sitting in the
back of the van after a show earlier in the day, I grabbed my guitar and Mark grabbed a pen
and pad and we went from there.
Mark: I wanted it to be a positive relationship song. Kind of like you’ve worked your way
through the darkness and gotten lost along the way and lo and behold there’s someone
there to light the path.
RAG: When did this all start for you?
Darren: I lost my wife, Steph, to cancer in late 2016 and I was writing and jamming as a
form of therapy to help me through. I asked Mark to join me and we wrote Heaven’s Door
and Strength Out Of Crisis early on. We recorded Heaven’s Door and released it exactly a
year after her passing through Bandcamp as a tribute to Steph with all proceeds going to
Cancer Research - https://riverknightuk.bandcamp.com/track/heavens-door
Mark: We’d written a couple of others too, and learned a couple of covers. We were enjoying
what we were doing so in early 2018 we decided to make River Knight a thing with a view to
recording an album. That took a bit of time thanks to Covid and lockdowns, but we did it
and released GROW in 2021 - https://riverknight.bandcamp.com/album/grow
Darren: Obviously, we also played as many shows as we could in that time and continued
writing, which brings us to the present day and our new release UNSPRUNG -
RAG: What inspires you to write a song?
Mark: It varies, but I think it can be encapsulated between personal life experiences and
observed life experiences.
Darren: When I play guitar at home, I can just be jamming along but as soon as I hit a
pattern that sounds good and inspires a melody, maybe even a few words, that’s all the
inspiration I need.
RAG: This track has some great styles! Can you give us some of your top musical influences?
Mark: Hahaha I’m not sure you’ll hear any of them in our music. Reef, GnR, Maiden, Crue,
The Cult, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots… all my main influences have had
distorted guitars.
Darren: I’m constantly listening to music, new and old, in a variety of genres. Far too many
to name just a few.
RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
Darren: Looking after my dog, sorting my van out, spending time with my family and loved ones.
Mark: I do a lot of the other side of it, so when we’re not literally working on the music I’m working on our socials, playlists, relaying with our PR company. But I always find time for family and friends.
RAG: Who's in your headphones right now?
Mark: I’m listening to a lot of unsigned acts at the moment for example right now I’m
listening to a playlist from New Artist Spotlight that is absolutely filled with some great
music.
Darren: I listen to loads of different stuff but right now it’s Broken Bells..
RAG: Are you doing any live performances right now?
Mark: We’ve got a show coming up at the Joiners in Southampton. That’s on 21st January.
Darren: We’re lucky enough to be opening up for some good friends of ours in Zen
Juddhism and Zephyr
RAG: This song feels like a big undertaking, is there any advice you'd give to other up and coming band out there?
Darren: Just be you.
Mark: Don’t try to sound like anyone, don’t rush it and spend time to realize your vision.
RAG: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
Mark: Who knows? We’re musical guerillas hahaha
Darren: We’ll gig, we’ll record, we’ll write, just keep on doing what we’re doing.
RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Mark: Thank you. Thank you for your comments.
Darren: Thank you for listening, the likes and the follows.
Both: Thank you!!!