Liverpool’s immense rock and pop musical legacy is still in the fast lane, and JOE SYMES AND THE
LOVING KIND are living proof. Their mission statement is simple, direct and honest; to write classic
songs that are immediately catchy, memorable and appealing. Over the last several years, the band
have been evolving and reaching new fans with every passing release. Most recently, they have
unleashed a fantastic EP, A Place to Call Our Own, a set that seems so fresh but so familiar at the same
time. It is an offering that refreshes the British guitar rock formula, crossed with clever and honest
songwriting, and this is just the beginning. The band are already working on their next full-length
studio album, due to be released in 2023. Before the New Year, Joe and Colin from the band had a
chat with Aldora Britain Records to discuss their musical journey so far and what the future holds for
Joe Symes and The Loving Kind.
Aldora Britain Records: Hi guys, how are you? It’s a real pleasure to be talking to such a brilliant band
on the current British indie scene. Thank you for your time. I was wondering if we could start off at
the very beginning. What are some of your earliest musical memories and what first pushed you
towards pursuing this passion of yours?
Joe Symes: My earliest musical memories are from growing up with older brothers and sisters, and
always a lot of vinyls being in the house. From The Beatles, Motown, Frank Sinatra, Sex Pistols,
Buzzcocks, Echo and The Bunnymen, Neil Young, and so many more I could mention. My first musical
instrument was the drums with a very large Ludwig bass drum, snare, floor tom and hi-hats, no

cymbals. The kit had to go in the end as I drove my mother nuts playing it. I then progressed to guitar.
I can also play bass, harmonica, piano, and arrange strings like violin, cello, brass, etcetera, which leads
me to where I am now. The biggest musical influence for me is The Beatles first and foremost, but I’m
into all kinds of music as long as it’s a great song or a piece that really gets to you.

Aldora Britain Records: And now, let’s fast forward
to The Loving Kind. How did the band come to be
and emerge from the rich musical city of Liverpool?
How did you guys meet, what was the initial spark,
and do you feel any pressure being a Liverpudlian
band, following that legacy?
Colin White: Me and Joe co-founded the band
after our pervious ones folded. We’ve known each
other for many years, so it was the perfect
opportunity to start working together. Alan Welsh,
bass guitar, had worked with Joe in their first band
together, so he was the perfect choice to complete
the line-up as we all have great chemistry.
Pressure? No, not really. Granted, many amazing
acts have come out of Liverpool. We just feel we’re
a nice addition to that legacy.
Aldora Britain Records: You had a huge boost in
featuring on the Shoulder to Shoulder charity
record. This was alongside some of your heroes.
How did this come about, how did it help the band out, and a fun one, who are your biggest influences
as a band?
Joe Symes: Dave Quaife, whose brother was Peter Quaife from The Kinks, was putting this compilation
together in aid of kidney dialysis and asked us to be on it, which was a great honour. And also to be
featured with acts such as Ocean Colour Scene, Roger McGuinn of The Byrds, and Paul Weller to name
a few. The charity itself had major exposure in general and did a great job for the cause, so it definitely
made more people aware of us. We have so many influences. The Beatles, The Doors, The Who, The
Kinks, Echo and The Bunnymen, Jimi Hendrix, Genesis, Motown, even film composers like John Barry,
Lalo Schifrin, Ennio Morricone, and Bernard Herrmann.
Aldora Britain Records: A Place to Call Our Own has to be one of my favourite new records this year.
Four tracks of bombastic, in-your-face British rock and roll. What are your memories from writing,
recording and releasing this EP, and how do you reflect on it as a whole now?
Joe Symes: The recording of it began before the lockdown, so the process took a little longer than
expected. But once things started to ease, we quickly got everything together and it all went very
smoothly. Better late than never. Aside from the delay, we enjoyed the sessions very much and are
extremely proud of how it all turned out and the amazing feedback it has been getting all over the

world. The fact that the title track got to Number 8 on the 365 Radio charts beating Florence and The
Machine, Liam Gallagher, Ed Sheeran, and Jack White, plus staying in the Top 20 for over five weeks,
was very overwhelming. As well as it now being available in HMVs across the northwest. That feeling
keeps getting better and better. Oh, and to add to this, we’ve started recording the third album
already, so watch this space.
Aldora Britain Records: I love the tracks ‘A Place to Call
Our Own’ and ‘Follow You’. What are the stories
behind these songs, did anything in particular inspire
them, and what do they mean to you?
Joe Symes: ‘A Place to Call Our Own’ is basically about
the beginnings of a relationship from a previous
relationship that has broken down. Two people who
know each other and then suddenly find they have a
lot in common and decide to give it a go. Just basic
everyday life. ‘Follow You’ is a song about life choices,
what are you going to do with your life so to speak. We
all have many choices in our lifetime and this particular
song is about making the right choice about your
future. That’s it, just simple if you listen to the words.
Aldora Britain Records: You also run your own label, Truly Independent Records. I love this, and the
name says it all. It really reveals your fiercely DIY and independent attitude, something that I really
like. What appeals to you about this approach and what would you say it has brought to your music?
Joe Symes: It’s just nice to be our own bosses and not have any outside interference on us as people,
or the music. We make the music we want, package it the way we want, and release it the way we
want. We answer to no one.

Quickfire Round

AB Records: Favourite artist? Joe: The Beatles.
AB Records: Favourite album? Joe: Too many to name.
AB Records: First gig? Joe: A Quarrymen reunion gig at The Cavern.

AB Records: Style icon? Joe: John Lennon.
AB Records: Favourite film? Joe: Too many to name.

AB Records: Favourite up and coming artist? Joe: It would be unfair to single anyone out.
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