As Mentioned on Channel 4 Music

**Born In Colchester Expanded Via Nottingham and Leeds And Now Sheffield ***

theuptownsound

Which songs should you check out? We love the anthemic “Baltimore Is The New Brooklyn”, along with other top cuts such as “Hold You Back” and “The Beat (Of Our Drum)“. But its so hard to choose - they're all great! Where can you see them? Chicago, Illinois. For now. Hopefully they'll be in the UK soon. The Interview The band is based in Chicago - is that where you originate from?
We have roots all over the States, but we've made Chicago our permanent home perhaps because it's the best America has to offer for cheap living and hip music. It also has a deep music history that still has its ghosts.

How long have you been playing those soulful tunes?
We have been together about a year, but all of us have been drawn to R&B throughout out lives. Growing up in the Chicago Public Schools, you had to like either Prince or Jacko or you didn't have friends.

How did the band form? Were you mates before?
We became friends after the fact. We sought each other out since there was no other band doing this in the city.

You have a sound which, from where I'm sitting, seems to be rooted in classic Stax. Would you say that is a key influence?
Without a doubt. The Memphis sound, both Hi and Stax, is the heavy ingredient in the Uptown's sound. Detroit and Chicago are the other main ingredients. Folks have tried and tried to blend the Detroit music with Memphis soul. We're the same way but we don't care so much for Berry Gordy's Detroit, we're more about Iggy's Detroit. Imagine the sound of the MG's playing as they tore Stax down in flames and rubble. That's who we are. The industrial North meets the funky South.

Are there any bands/artists who you would say have been a particular influence on you?
Wilson Pickett, Booker T. & the MG's, James Brown, The Pieces of Peace, Bobbby Timmons, The Stooges, The MC5, The Who, Ray Charles, Fred Hampton, Marvin Tate, James Carr, The Kinks, Howlin' Wolf, Black Flag, Paul Robeson, Aretha and her sister Erma, Cannonball Adderly, Curtis Mayfield, Public Enemy, Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Band, Fugazi, and Bad Brains.

Is there a particular phrase you would use to describe your sound?
Yes. Uptown.

I love “Baltimore Is The New Brooklyn”. What's the story behind it?
Our bassist BT grew up around Baltimore, it's a cheeky anecdote about hipsters and gentrification. We decided it should sound like the riot at the 1968 Democratic national convention. I don't know if you've heard, but America's a weird place these days.

Which other tunes should we be particularly looking out for?
“The Beat (Of Our Drum)”, it's for the Mod crowd. A sort of “thank you for 1965” kinda track. “Hold You Back” is a stomping soul ballad.

Do you have a main songwriter, or are the tunes all band compositions?
We all write. We all arrange.

Tell me about the Chicago scene - is classic soul big?
The kids seem to go crazy for it. I think the term you use is “birds”. The birds love it. And that makes it all worth it for us.

Are there any gigs that you would pick out as particularly special?
The Hideout (Chicago) with soul legend Syl Johnson. We played a set and then played a set backing up Syl. Sold out in the dead of winter. That's when we started to feel we could be a part of Chicago's Soul and Blues history.

And now the dreaded Desert Island question. Which five records would you take with you?
Nothing dreaded about it. It's easy.
Otis Redding – Love Man
The Stooges – Metallic KO
James Brown – LovePowerPeace / Live in Paris 1970
Erma Franklin – Soul Sister
Syl Johnson – Is It Because I'm Black?

What are your plans for the future? Are you planning to come to the UK soon?
Look for us when the summer comes along. Bring your birds. And finally - who are you supporting for the next President? We're all rooting for Obama. Great stuff lads! Hope to see you in Britain soon.