Project Description
Interview with
EIGHT SECOND RIDE
by Vicky Hebbs
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How did you first get into music? When did it become a serious concern?
I started music at the age of around 8 playing the drums and as a teenager i was in and out of garage bands with mates. I started playing Guitar around 18 and also started Singing.. I was picked up by a Sydney based Rock Band who were also the Australian Foo Fighters Tribute Band and toured with them in the tribute band scene for around 8 years. It was during this time that i knew i wanted to pursue music one way or another.
What kind of music did you grow up on? What artists inspired you and which do you still look to now for ideas?
Look growing up i always loved my country music as i was helping dad, Dad would always have John Williamson on or Humming along to Slim. But when i started playing music for myself it wasn’t enough action for me, ( just a little to slow) So i also listened to and grew up with Nirvana, Foo Fighters & the Offspring.
These days I obviously love my country music and look up to all artists old & new. Currently i love listening to Kip Moore and Luke Combs. Absolutely love The Wolfe Brothers and kinda still shocked that were playing with them this NYE in Tassie. However i take inspiration from a range of artists as everyone tells their stories differently and all deserve the respect to listen.
How did you come together and start making music as Eight Second Ride?
I moved back to Toowoomba about 3 years ago and started playing some local solo Acoustic shows throughout South East Queensland. I noticed alot of people requesting Country music and i started learning alot of covers. I then floated the idea to a few key Musicians here in Toowoomba with the idea of Eight Second Ride and after a few Sessions we knew we were onto something big as we created a sound that we knew would excite people. We held a free local show at large abandoned warehouse here were we we going to test the sound and see what people think to a small group that showed up, we ended up with 600 people through the door with everyone taking videos and Social media posts everywhere. From there the emails just started flowing for gigs and it went from 0-100 real quick..
Where does your unique band name come from?
LOL.. We started off calling ourselves “ The Iron Jack Band” but we thought it sounded a little to “Pub Cover band-y” and people would always relate it to the beer. We floated some names on rehearsal and Eight Second Ride was one of them. We wanted something original but also to put country into your mind straight away. We love playing Rodeo’s and B&S events so it was a great fit and easy to remember.
You just released new single, ‘See What Tomorrow Brings.’ What inspired the song?
Well it’s definitely a song about Breakups and the emotional Roller Coaster ride that goes with heartbreak. I think we all can relate to this song as most have unfortunately experienced this including myself. It tells the story of a relationship you know is going know where but both are desperate to try and make things work, but neither is willing to make the call that its over, in the hopes that you wake up tomorrow and somehow everything will be perfect and things have changed, but they never do. Hence “ See what Tomorrow Brings”
Can you share the process of making the single?
We were a little all over the shop with this one..LOL… We recorded all the Tracks locally with Doug Martian from Mountain Track Records before going through a handful of producers trying to find a sound that was in our heads. We love Kip Moore Sound and Luke Combs so after a bit of googling at 3am one morning Mr Ben Watts a Nashville producer kept appearing. We made contact with him and sent hm the tracks to take a listen to. He loved the sound and knew exactly what we wanted as he was one of the producers for Kip Moore and was once Luke Combs Guitarist.. Furthermore he is also an Australian now living in Nashville. After a few weeks of early morning skype calls and sending files back and forth we got what is now See what tomorrow brings and we love it!!!
You are due to release an EP next year. How is work on the EP going?
Slow and behind schedule.. HAHA… We have all the songs written and they are sounding great.. Its just fitting in Studio time to get them recorded. We’ve been so busy touring and gigging this year we have had very little time to put aside for recording. Somewhere between now and Tamworth CMF we have to get it done as im heading to Nashville in February to record Vocals on it..
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If someone had never listened to Eight Second Ride before, what song of yours would you recommend if they could only listen to one?
We have a range of different sounds. Ultimately we’re Country rock and love to get people moving.. To be honest See What Tomorrow Brings is a great song to introduce someone to modern Country. A lot of “ non country “ listeners say “Country is to twangy or slow”.. But show them ours and say what do you think of country now?
You recently played to a 10, 000 strong crowd at Brews ‘n’ Barbie Festival in Toowoomba. What was that experience like?
Was an epic gig that one.. Its alwys a buzz to play to a big crowd where there singing along and having a great time. The energy at those size shows are so much fun.. And for us to headline our first home town show, it was amazing to see the community behind us..
If you could pick absolutely anyone to bring on tour with you, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)
I would have to say Kip Moore… I love his songwriting and the emotion behind his music.. I feel we have a very similar writing style and would love to watch and learn..
In just a few months, you have gone from a local pub band, to a promising force in the Aussie music industry! Do you have any other memorable experiences from the past few months you could share?
It’s been one HUGE experience for us, and kinda took us by surprise. Its just been a whirlwind and were all trying to absorb as much as possible while remaining cool calm and collected.. You go from looking up to artists you admire and then all of a sudden your manager is introducing you to them back stage at a festival and your just chillin having a few beers together swapping stories and talking about life.. Everyone in the industry is really awesome and super friendly and want us to achieve what were capable of.. We have made alot of friends this past year.
Who are your major country/rock music influences?
For Australian Artists again we love The Wolfe Brothers, Hurricane Fall and you can’t beat Adam Brand.. Internationally we love Brantley Gilbert, Luke Combs & Granger Smith.
What can we expect from you guys in the next few months or year?
We’re busy with shows until Easter next year however we are putting together a new show that we want to take on the road and get to as many spots in Australia as time allows us.. Were planning a North Queensland tour first half of next year then Southern states later 2019. 2020 we will be focusing on an album and touring extensively Country wide.. We really want to get over to the west and give them a great show.
What are your major goals or milestones for the longer term future?
We pretty much just want to keep doing our thing and be known as a great Country Rock band. We want to be know as the guys that keep people dancing till the wee hours of the morning with great soungs and a stage show to match..
Finally, this is a paragraph dedicated to some quick discovery. Really corny, but for the fans, can you tell me your favorite album, artist, movie, place, drink, meal and person (living or dead) and some brief reasons why? Answer some or all please?
Favorite Album: I would have to say Keith Urban, The Ranch.. It shows hard work and persistence really pays off. His sound then to now is truly amazing.
Artist: Dave Grohl, Growing up loved the Foo Fighters and His energy on stage is amazing, Truly humble guy and a role model to anyone pursuing music.. Read his stories..
Movie: I love Anchorman with Will Ferrrel. Just an all round funny movie with some really funny one liner quotes..
Place: Hmm… Hard one…. I’m a get out to the Mountains Type guy.. One of my favorite spots is a place i won’t mention in the Mt Barney National Park.. Its an off the track GPS dot place and bush bash to get there, but its truly amazing.. No one around, no sound but water flowing and great scenery. My Partner and i get there when we can with just a backpack each bare essentials and a small tent to get away from it all.. Great way to reset life..
Drink: Whiskey!!! to be specific The Dalmore.. On the rocks or Neat..
Meal.. Nice low and slow Lamb Roast.. Cant beat it..
Person… Bear Grylls… Love his story and how passionate he is towards life.. True role model to young kids out there.. Read all his books and Love what he does..
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Buy ‘SEE WHAT TOMORROW BRINGS’ HERE
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Tour Dates:
1st December – Australian Stock Horse Sale – Dalby, QLD
31st December – Smithton Tall Timbers Rodeo – Smithton, TAS
– w/ The Wolfe Brothers
19th January – Southgate Inn – Tamworth, NSW
21st January – Imperial Hotel – Tamworth, NSW
23rd January – Imperial Hotel – Tamworth, NSW
24th January – Fan Zone – Tamworth, NSW
25th January – Imperial Hotel – Tamworth, NSW
17th – 19th May – Toowoomba B&S Festival – Toowoomba, QLD
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Follow EIGHT SECOND RIDE
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BIO
Country Rock Redefined
Eight Second Ride has hit the scene in Australia making waves and turning heads with their new sound and energetic show. These guys are the real deal and bring that big Nashville sound to their audience, delivering a true spine-tingling performance. With original songs that are relatable to life which tell clear and heart felt stories, mixed with catchy riffs with solid hooks its no wonder people are calling them the next big thing.
From young age, front man Matt Sneddon was drawn to music. Initially a drummer he found himself filling in for bands and tracking in local Toowoomba studios after school. Picking up a guitar at age 18 he fast learnt songs and was playing the pub scene throughout Sydney bars & clubs as a soloist. At age 21 was his first big break landing the fronting job for Sydney rock band Gridlock where they toured and opened for the likes of Powderfinger, Jet & Wolfmother to name a few. This is where he really experimented vocally and found that unique sound with that raspiness and natural power, its no wonder he has been dubbed “The Australian Kip Moore”.
Moving to The Gold Coast with his young family in late 2010 he was picked up as lead singer / guitarist by local SE QLD supergroup Jericho Falling which was also the Australian Foo Fighter tribute band, playing shows up and down the East coast of Australia. His Vocals matched perfectly for this band and performed at many high end events including the Gold Coast 600 with Cold Chisel.
In late 2016 he moved back to his home town of Toowoomba Qld and formed Eight Second ride as a side project whilst he played Solo shows in the local music scene. It was here that he meet the current band members and they worked their craft in an abandoned warehouse for nearly 12 months before deciding to put a show on which attracted 800 people through the door of the local venue in early 2018. This is when they knew they were on the right track with an immediate response from fans and their Facebook page growing from a few hundred followers to thousands in a few short months, Toowoomba as a town are defiantly behind them and regularly are featured in the local newspaper as they build support and momentum on the Country Music scene.
Tom Morley ( 21) the lead guitarist, a Crows Nest local, meet Matt Sneddon at an open mic whilst playing some country covers. Matt immediately knew he was the right fit. With his flawless guitar skills and that Nashville vibe he brings to the table, he was the right guy for the job and soon became a crucial part of the band. With his good looks and fit physique Matt & Tom market the band through entertaining videos on social media running with antics and light-hearted gig plugs that create a likable setting for their audience as they interact with their fans. With the pair on stage, they feed off each other’s energy and work guitar riffs together to create an entertaining mix of rhythm and lead that brings any song to life.
The Drummer Barry Mason is the eldest of the group and has ticked of many notable achievements through out his 30+ year music career. Playing and opening for the likes of The Screaming Jets, Noiseworks, The Chior Boys and also Powderfinger he has experienced life on the main stage of some of Australia’s premier venues. Also a highly regarded sound engineer and producer, Barry has an ear for sound and an expectation of quality found in his works. Working with Local and International artist he has had hits worldwide including #1 in Germany & the USA. He has a diverse and adaptable drumming style able to proficiently play jazz to Metal he has performed with over 20 household name bands through many genres. Owning a music repair shop in Toowoomba he was the first on the list to be approached as the bands drummer. Originally hesitant due to other commitments he came to a rehearsal and immediately knew he was the right fit for the job and took on the position immediately.
Izek Wharley the bassist is a well-respected local musician and a master of many instruments. Playing night after night at local SE QLD venues he has a solid following as not only as the fun loving stage antics bassist for Eight Second Ride but a solid following on his own as a solo/ duo acoustic artist. With that he bring a good back up harmony and keeps the flow of the music creating a full sound on stage and chemistry between the boys are notable.
So what does the future hold For Eight Second Ride.. ?? They boys are busy writing new material and tapping into that new wave of sound that is evident in their music. Cutting demos in their local studio they then have been busy producing a sound that can only be describes as “ that Nashville Sound” And That’s exactly why. Contacting Nashville producer Ben Watts who himself is an South Australian native living and working in Nashville, TN, USA was the first step to creating the sound they were after. Ben Watts after listening to the Demos immediately took the project on and has formed a close relationship with the band and via “ the Cloud” and Skype he remotely produced the new single “ See What Tomorrow Brings” . The Boys are working on a EP release for early 2019 with them heading to Nashville in February to work direct with Ben in Studio to record the tracks. Ben Watts a seasoned Nashville musician himself playing guitar for Luke Combs, Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood and currently producing Kip Moore & lee Brice new album, he is excited to work with Eight Second Ride and is quoted saying “ This is exactly what I was chasing, A new Australian Country band capable of working together in Nashville and remotely to bring that new Nashville sound to Australia. These boys are going to pioneer a new sound that is yet to hit the Australian Country Scene”.
They have fast become a favourite choice of band for Rodeo’s, B&S events and Music festivals looking for that high end energy show, now booked solid till end of March 2019. They have played up and down the East Coast of Australia from Cairns to Melbourne and built a solid following along the way. Playing NYE in Tasmania with the Wolfe Brothers is a sure sign that large music festivals have taken note and are booking this group to support other major acts to compliment the Australian Country Music Scene.
In October this year they headlined the Cooly Goes Country event at the Collanagatta hotel with a sold out show of 600 people and as of recent headlined the Toowoomba man festival Brews N Barbie fest” Which was a 10’000 strong crowd for the evening with the crowd requesting 3 encores after the band finished the 1 he 30 set.
In only a short few months Eight Second ride has gone from a local pub band travelling & sleeping in vans on the side of highways to an up and coming powerhouse band now with their own 50 Foot 12 sleeper tour bus. They are working hard on refining them selves as a group and dialling in that unique sound that their bringing to the music scene. They bring passion to country music and conduct them self’s in a complete professional manner to media and event promotors.
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Key milestones & upcoming Events
June 2018 Launch gig at Blank Space Concert venue with a max capacity crowd. ( videos can be seen on their FB page )
July-Headlined Stroud Rodeo ( 5000+ crowd)
August- Headlined The Caves & Cooyar Rodeo with VIP performances and Songwriter shows
OCT 13th–Headlined Cooly Goes Country ( Katie Jayne as support) Sold Out Show to see Eight Second Ride
Oct 26thHeadlined Toowoomba’s biggest Food & Wine Festival, Brews n Barbies
DEC31- Supporting the Wolfe Brothers for the Smithton NYE Rodeo in Tasmania
JAN 17-27 Featured Artist at Tamworth Country Music Festival 2019 playing multiple shows throughout the 10 day event.
FEB 19- Heading to Nashville to produce EP
MAY 19-Co – Headlining the Toowoomba B&S FEST with Hurricane Fall
An Australian EP tour Mid 2019
Many other Rodeos, B&S and corporate gigs booked.
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