STREETVOICE Magazine
April/May, 2007 Edition

Respond are an up and coming band and well worth checking out. It wont be long before they become a well known name on the independent circuit. I have that much faith in them I decided to run an interview with their vocalist Hayley-Ann Roberts. Read what this cool lady has to say BELOW.

Respond are an up and coming British band with plenty of potential which will eventually see them making a great name for themselves. I like the sound they've created for themselves and with gaining more experience through playing shows etc will see Respond being a band to be reckoned with in the future. Here's what Hayley-Ann has to say on behalf of Respond.

Street Voice: Can you introduce Respond to our readers please?
H-A: With pleasure - Respond are Hayley-Ann Roberts on vocals, Shaun Abela on guitar, Nathan Abela on drums and the ever mysterious beer monster Tom Michell on bass.

Street Voice: So how long have you been going as a band and how did you all meet?
H-A: We've been together for just over a year and met through work colleagues and mutual friends. We'd all been in bands for years separately (some good some, well, not very good really if we're honest!) and we'd spent years trying to find the right blend of commitment and musical ability before we finally met up.....it just seemed to click together and the rest, as they say, is history......

Street Voice: You've recently recorded a demo so are there any plans to get a single released?
H-A: Yes definitely. We're in talks with a few people at the mo re this so watch this space is all I can say at this time (I could tell you more but then I'd have to kill you to ensure your continued silence.......).

Street Voice: Who writes the lyrics and what kind of things are written about?
H-A: Well, some of the songs such as Underdog and One Track Mind do feature lyrical input from the boys but mostly the lyrics are left to me as the singer. I firmly believe I perform better when I have a true understanding of the meaning of the song! I'm kind of possessive about it really I suppose. I can’t understand these artists who have songs written for them....how can you give a song your all onstage if you didn't put anything into it?

I usually write about daily life really-like spending time with loved ones or the one that got away or even that really shit day you just had where you just felt like throwing in the towel and saying fuck you to everyone and everything! At the moment I'm not trying to be all clever and political as I'm saving that for the 3rd album when we've all developed ego's and become jaded and nonchalant etc! (Just kidding!)

Street Voice: Any of you play in other bands?
H-A: Nope. Not unless they invent a 25th hour in the day-Respond is a full time job we're all totally committed to!

Street Voice: Hayles many female fronted bands tend to use sexuality to promote themselves so would you ever strip for an adult magazine if it gave you an opportunity to push the band?
H-A: Maybe you should ask Shaun this -he's the pretty one-teenage girls everywhere swoon in his presence! LOL......

Seriously though-Hmmm that’s a tough one. Anyone who's seen our live show will tell you that I am a total flirt onstage-and I'm not ashamed of that-why shouldn't I express my sensuality and sexuality as its a part of who I am? However, I am quite selective over who gets to see me naked!

I'm not against sensual shots-of course I want to look as attractive as possible in our pics but our photo shoots will definitely continue to involve clothing.....

I would rather be known for my vocal ability than for getting my baps out and I believe that our music and show is strong enough to speak for itself-not that I'm knocking any female artist who chooses to do that kind of thing-fair play to them for having the guts to flash the flesh.

If you had asked me a few years ago my answer might have been yes but I don't think it’s necessary for the band to go down this route.

Street Voice: If you could play with just three bands who would they be and why?
H-A: Well, its hard to choose just three as we all have such diverse musical tastes-Shaun would say Bon Jovi or someone like Green Day, Tom would definitely say The Wildhearts (he has a small obsession with them) or Iron Maiden, Nath would say Dream Theater or Maiden and for me it would be MCR, Pink, Lilly Allen or Amy Winehouse (altho the last 3 aren’t bands they would be great fun to party with!)

Street Voice: Being a young band how did you get to appear on a Children In Need show?
H-A: We entered a BBC Radio comp to play The Rockinbeerfest and won! When we played the show at the festival one of the Children In Need organisers was there and loved our sound and show-3 months later he contacted us thru our friends at BBC radio and offered us the slot-we took it of course, not realising that he'd also selected us to go out live on National TV.

We didn't even know we'd gone out nationally until we came off stage-probably a good thing or I would have fallen over!

Street Voice: So what have you planned for the rest of 2007?
H-A: More songs, more gigs, a new website, more promo,an album in the autumn, we're in talks with a couple of smaller labels as we feel we will retain more musical control this way, an ep, maybe a days rest at some point..........oh and more beer.

Street Voice: Anything you'd like to add?
H-A: Yeah thanks for the compliment in your last review-you are now one of my official favourite people. And anyone who wants to know more about us can find us at www.respondofficial.com or on MySpace.

Thanks to the gorgeous Hayles for doing the interview and Respond for being a kick ass band. Hopefully in time you will hear/read more about this band but in the meantime please do check them out!
  

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