Music Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Joe Symes and The Loving Kind Are Helping To Change Our World
Every single one of our fans has been impacted by our music. What we’ve just described pretty much speaks for itself. I think it would be unfair to single anyone out.
As a part of our series about stars who are making an important social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rock band Joe Symes and the Loving Kind.
Joe Symes and the Loving Kind is a three-piece Rock band from Liverpool, UK consisting of Joe Symes (Vocals/Guitars/Harmonica), Colin White (Drums/Percussion/Backing Vocals), and Alan Welsh (Bass Guitar).
As well as playing major festivals, headlining major venues, and having exclusive radio sessions/magazine interviews/reviews around the world, the band has been played at present at Liverpool Football Club home games during halftime.
They are currently finishing their upcoming third album Portmanteau, which is scheduled for release in early 2024. This has been preceded by the video It’s All Too Late — a track taken from the album — which was uploaded live on YouTube on the 29th September.
https://linktr.ee/joesymesandthelovingkind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgJEcRNM9D0
Thank you so much for joining us on this interview series. Can you share with us the backstory that led you to this career path?
JS&TLK — All of us have been surrounded by music all of our lives; the music our parents and siblings were playing was just soaked up by us all as we were growing up, and never left us; so much so, that it became not just what we wanted to do in our lives, but who we are, and we’ve never looked back.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
JS&TLK — I don’t think there’s specific examples personally. Perhaps attempting to work with people that didn’t see what you saw, but like any life lesson, you learn from that, and move on. Sometimes you have to go through those instances as a learning curve that are part of getting towards the main goal.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
Always believe in yourself and your ambitions, and don’t let anyone — no matter who they are — stop you from pursuing them.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
It would be impossible to name just one person. All of our main musical influences have had a profound impact that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. The Beatles, The Doors, The Who, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Smiths, Burt Bachcarach/Hal David, Jimi Hendrix, U2, Genesis, all the Motown and Stax artists and musicians, even film composers like John Barry, Lalo Schifrin, Ennio Morricone, and Bernard Herrmann. They’ve all made their mark soaking into what we do, and continue to inspire.
How are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you’re working on right now?
We’re currently finishing our third album entitled Portmanteau, which will be released in early 2024. This has been preceded by the video of a track called It’s All Too Late, which is taken from the album. This premiered on YouTube at the end of September and has already been getting airplay worldwide. It’s recently reached number 2 in one of the Australian Rock charts and entered number 4 in one of the charts here in the UK, which we’re very proud of. One fan said it was like a religious experience listening to it. When someone says something like that, you know you’re really getting to people. Others have said our music is therapeutic. Again, very proud.
Can you share with us a story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
Like we said before, playing music is who we are. What else can we say? Would we call it a cause? Well, judging by what people told us — therapeutic, religious experience — maybe it is.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
Every single one of our fans has been impacted by our music. What we’ve just described pretty much speaks for itself. I think it would be unfair to single anyone out.
Are there three things or are there things that individuals, society, or the government can do to support you in this effort?
Music venues have been closing recently due to the current financial climate. More support and funding need to go into the arts, as it’s something people need. Going to see a band, and meeting like-minded folk; are things people need now more than ever, and if more places close, they’ll be deprived of that.
Why do you think music in particular has the power to create social change and create a positive impact on humanity?
Songs and music can say many things; they always have. They can make you aware of things you weren’t of before, take your off things, bring people together. Something which has that power should always be cherished.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started”?
Oh, that would be telling. I don’t think we could repeat some of them.
You’re people of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
We don’t really do movements. If we did, it might be a distraction from what we’re here to do first and foremost, which is making music, and bringing joy to people. If that’s a movement of some sort, then that’s it.
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote? And can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
If you have a goal/ambition in life, do it, and let anything or anyone stop you. That applies to what we do as a whole; making great music, and getting across to people all over the world.
We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
A lot of the people we’d love to meet and get insight from are sadly no longer with us. All kinds of musicians, actors, writers. The list would go on forever.
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring, and we wish you continued success!
Music Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Joe Symes and The Loving Kind Are Helping To Change… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.