We had a deep chat with Safeguard's bassist Zak Lonsdale recently. They released their EP I'm A Stranger To Myself back in December, the EP hits on some heavy topics and really resonates with a lot of people (myself included). This is part of what makes Safeguard so great, they're not just producing quality tracks musically they're voicing things that need to be spoken about more.
How did Safeguard first form? What’s your origin story?
Martyn and I were in another band before Safeguard, when that band broke up we reached out to Declan via Join My Band. After a couple of line up changes we finally were complete. It's a pretty normal origin story but those periods without certain members and trying to establish ourselves made it a very stressful start for Safeguard.
When you first formed did you set out to establish a band with your particular sound and genre or did it form once you’d gotten to know each other more?
I think Pop Punk was the aim, but we didn't want to re-hash what a lot of bands have been doing. I think we've sort of created our own unique take on the genre, and that's definitely been helped with the different music we listen to outside Safeguard. Personally I'm into a lot of hardcore and heavier music, Denholm (Guitar) and Connor (Drums) listen to Djent and Metal, then Martyn (Guitar) and Declan (Vocals) listen to mostly pop punk.
By the time this interview is published your second EP ‘I’m A Stranger To Myself’ will have been released. What’s different about this EP to your first one?
Definitely the production value haha, we recorded our first EP on a very limited budget and didn't try and develop our song ideas any more than we already had pre-recording. With I'm A Stranger To Myself we spent more time crafting more complex music and Drew Lawson (Steel City Studios) really pushed us to make our songs as good as they could be.
You’ve mentioned before that the EP draws influence from topics that ‘today’s young people deal with’ can you go into more detail about these topics and why you picked them to write about?
I think in society today you see a lot of people, especially young people, coming forwards and being very frank about their mental health. It's something that needs to happen in order to end the stigma really, which would save a lot of lives. For example Harbour, the lead single, focuses on depression and how it can make you feel. I had quite a large day in the lyrics as depression and anxiety is something I've dealt with for a very long time, and during the writing I was starting to wonder if I'd even live to see the EP be released. Writing a song like that was very therapeutic for me and thankfully I'm still here to see it's effects!
Do you have a favourite song off the new EP to perform Live?
Probably No Man's Land. it's a very different style to our usual material, that tends to be 100mph kick you in the face speed. No Man's Land is very simplistic; both lyrically and instrumentally. It's about liking a person you don't really know and how the thought of them can play on your head for days.
How did you come about signing to Wilhelm Records?
When we started writing for the second EP one of the main points of discussion was to have the backing of a label to push it forwards. When we came across Wilhelm Records it was like an instant click and we knew we'd found the label to sign to! Dylan (owner) is a great guy who has helped us out with music both in the UK and starting to build a fan base across the pond in America.
What differences have you noticed in the band, music, and way fans have received your music since signing?
We have more fans now I guess (laughs). As a band we've started to realise this could a little further than playing local shows just in Yorkshire. It's hard to say really, we're lucky to have a fucking incredible fan base who support us no matter what we do and it's continued through the announcement of being signed and the release of our second EP.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a band so far?
Apart from being signed, we've played shows with bands we looked up to when we first started out and can call them good friends now. We've played sold out headliners in Leeds which has been incredible, being voted to play Deadbolt Festival back in September. It's a long list for sure!
Do you find it difficult being based in York where the scene for pop punk bands is minimal?
Definitely, it's sad York doesn't have room for our kind of music. The indie scene is constantly thriving and spitting out incredible bands all the time, Faux Pas and The Mallrats are 2 of my favourite bands I've seen in York by a long shot. Hopefully our "success" will start to encourage similar acts to come out of the woodwork and write music.
Finally, what are you hoping to achieve by summer of 2018?
We've started to play with some ideas for an album, hopefully by summer that'll be nearly written. We've got a couple of tours coming up with You Know The Drill and PINE which is exciting. We've discussed maybe going to America for some shows which would be huge for us. I mean as long as we keep growing at the pace we are and people don't get bored of us I'm happy with whatever happens!
Listen to I'm a Stranger To Myself here
Interview by Holly Beson-Tams.
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