Interviews: Shiva May Care

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock 'N' Roll band Shiva May Care from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or did it just come out like that?

Jetlag: So, the idea of the name came up outside the former Music Box rehearsals studios in NQ, Manchester, while having a cigarette outside... I have been listening to a lot of Backyard Babies during that period and they have a B-side song called "Devil May Care". I really like the concept of the expression, you know, and I love the song, obviously. I thought it was a good name for a band. However I'm not really a fan of sticking the Devil, death, skulls, and thing like that in my/our music or art in general; these concepts have been over-used and it doesn't piss off anybody anymore, ahah. I wanted a more positive symbol, something beyond good and evil, and Shiva was the perfect candidate.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Jetlag: What Genre? There is no reason why. You play what you feel, it's a mix of your experiences, feelings, and what you're listening to at the moment. The next album can be Garage, Prog, or Polka music as far as I know. The only problem is I don't know how to play none of the above, i don't know what I'm doing to be perfectly honest! 

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Jetlag: So, I personally came to Manchester in 2014 and I wanted to play music. I met Molly through music ads online, but we never really made a band together. After I started Shiva May Care with my previous members and eventually parted for different paths, I had to ask Molly to join the project, it was a no-brainer. I met Jake in Big Hands, we are regulars there, and I don't know if you know the place, but it is a must-go bar/venue. Great people and great bands there. We just clicked immediately after we met. Ilias and I are working in the same street in Didsbury Village and we have friends in common, that was a strike of luck, to be honest.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Jetlag: I swing a lot of music taste-wise. I love Backyard Babies, Hellacopters, and Bad Religion, they are the reason why I play. For the last few years, I became fixated with Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson, among Mars Volta and Tool. Jake is a Beatles guy, and he loves the local scene, Farfisa and Legs on Wheels are his favorite. Ilias loves Deftones and Sigur Rós.

Molly: my favorites are All Them Witches. I'm listening to King Gizzard & Lizard Wizzard, Oranssi Pazuzu, and Messa most recently.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Jetlag: We mainly write about our memories and feelings, hoping that people can relate to them. In Shaman Rock and Roll, you can listen to Stubborn Lovers, which is a song about alcoholism, and Standing Still, which highlights the danger of social media and some new technology that can do serious harm to our mental health.

Molly: Everything inspires me and the lyrics are always rooted in the music in terms of vibe. I like to capture feelings and put myself into the perspective of someone as I describe a life experience.

Jetlag: In Sound System Kalyiuga!, our next EP coming soon this year, there will be songs exploring human feelings and spiritual stages, from anger and hell to sexual pleasure, realization, and enlightenment.

6. Where was your last gig?

Jetlag: The Bridge Inn / The Hive, in Rotherham.

7. Where would you like to play?

Jetlag: we would love to play at Band on The Wall and the Ritz in Manchester, then who knows, any place who wants us.

8. Who would you like to support?

Jetlag: see question 4 ;)

9. Who not?

Anybody whose mind is that narrow to be a racist, sexist, homophobic, and a cunt in general, can I say "c*nt" ?

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Jetlag: I personally have stage fright even when I'm not on stage. The best thing to do is to think that being on stage is no exam, you're making people happy, feel that happiness and have fun, never be scared of the crowd, they are there because of you. And of course, practice the hell out of your songs and how to interact with your band members.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Jetlag: mine are definitely Backyard Babies and Bar Religion.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Jetlag: we are still waiting for the weirdest one.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Jetlag: whoever likes our music and follows us has our deep gratitude and respect. 

14. What do you think of our site?

Jetlag: it's a great portal to discover bands otherwise hard to find. Local bands and the grassroots scene are becoming invisible nowadays, with the incredible amount of music created and shared like "content" instead of art. It's overwhelming. Plus the algorithms don't help local bands, it's a hard game and not a fair one, it's just a money-making machine where the artist is exploited. So I'm happy to see people like you guys trying to push through and do this hard job. 

15. Something to add?

Jetlag: well, we are releasing FALLING DOWN on the 28th of June, along with an amazing video clip directed by Axel Wholtenholme. The song has been produced by David Rahahd Jones at Red City Recording and we think he did an amazing job. But you'll tell me what you think. I hope you'll enjoy it anyway. Also, our next gig is on the 6th of July, supporting our friends Shape Of Water, alongside DeVience and Cola Bay. We loved to see you all there. Thanks!