The Complaints released a single that has a real contemporary rock radio sound that infuses piano with powerful and passionately performed vocals along with guitars and a cinematic vibe.
"Downtime" builds as it plays and gives off a refreshing feel and the music goes right along with the theme of the song with a kicked back, relaxed back bone.
The Complaints definitely know how to get you humming hooks long after the song has ended and this track is no exception.
The piano progression is beautiful and the guitars bend and sway with the music giving it all a flowing tonality.
The song is incredibly catchy and the band is known for dropping songs that stick with you.
Releasing songs since 2008, The complaints have a staple sound that they have made their own and with such a vibrant single release, we wanted to sit down and find out more of how this all began for the band, and what may be next for them.
RAG: Okay so let’s start with "Downtime" this track had a bit of a contemporary pop feel with a driving piano and an alt-pop tonality to it. Where did this track come from?
[This started from a song I had started to write some years ago. I played it during an acoustic set one night and fans seemed to really dig it so I brought it to the band]
RAG: I'm hearing all kinds of pop styles combining old and new school feels here. Who are some of your actual biggest musical influences?
[The band has a diverse bunch of influences. I love singer songwriter rock guys; Tom Petty, Elvis Costello, Neil Young. The band as a whole leans towards rhythm based bands like The Police.
RAG: How did this all start for you?
[I started playing the piano at a super young age, like 4 years old. We had a piano in the house and I was hooked]
RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
[I feel like as a songwriter, you are always writing even if you don’t know it. The band is secretly a bunch of foodies [not anymore lol], we love to eat and drink………………..]
RAG: What's next for you as a band?
[Planning on releasing some new singles in 2021]
RAG: Do you think you'll be putting any focus on live performance in the near future?
[We have started to book more live shows in 2021, it feels good to be out there again]
RAG: Who are you listening to right now?
[Wide range of stuff from Lyle Lovett to The Weekend]
RAG: What sort of things inspire you to write?
[Everything! Life, movies, books etc]
RAG: How do you think the pandemic has affected you musically?
[I started to co-writing daily with a friend of mine via Zoom, 40 songs and counting it has been great! Also the band started to stream live more which has been a great success]
RAG: You've really done an amazing job with this single. What sort of advice would you have for up and coming artists out there?
[Work hard, be willing to listen to opinions yet stand by your gut]
RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans?
[Rock on my friends, rock on!]