This month’s Peeled Back is with CAIRO STATION, a trio from Belfast who despite selling out numerous headline shows over the past year, released their first single only last week. “Menace” is a straight forward, in-your-face tune that certainly doesn’t need an introduction, but rather does the talking itself.
Comprised of Ben Gribben on Bass, Cara Collins on vocals and Felix McAuley on guitar, the trio blend together influences from the likes of Paramore, Wolf Alice and PJ Harvey into a sound that’s sure to appeal to those who fancy something loud in their ears. They also boast three very cool playlists on Spotify that I would recommend checking out too.
Hello Cairo Station! How’s it going? Hello! Great thanks, hope you’re good.
Last week you released your debut single “Menace”. What can you tell us about it? Cara: “Menace” is the first song we worked on together as a band. The song has allowed us to build a connection with each other and with our audience through a few minutes of anger and noise. We’re really happy to finally be putting it out and seeing the response already is really encouraging.
Its sound hits hard and has no problem with being loud. Is this something we can expect to hear on future material? Felix: As a band we focus a lot on having a big sound to fill a room during our live shows, so yeah we aren’t afraid to be loud and get in people’s faces. We definitely have our softer moments, as those who have seen us live will know, but “Menace” and our second single (that we have just finished) are mainly about filling a room and getting people going.
Featuring beefy basslines and scathing guitars in its intro, “Menace” wastes little time in filling the room with noise. Cara’s vocals direct the song with a passionate performance that leads into some massive moments throughout. Sounding like a confident display rather than a meek hello, it’s clear that the trio know how to put something together that is immediate, hard-hitting and sure to leave your ears ringing.
How’s it feel to get underway with your first release? Cara: We’ve been really keen to get our music out, so it’s just exciting to finally be able to do it.
Felix: Yeah it’s a big relief almost to be releasing music after a year of consistently gigging. We won’t be stopping here either, we’ve got a lot to follow up with after this debut release.
You’re already selling out headline shows which suggests you’re deep within the local music scene. What is the scene like in Northern Ireland? Cara: We love it. There’s so many talented bands and we are lucky to be friends with quite a few of them. Everybody’s ready to support each other in any way, and I think the sense of community in the scene is really something to be admired.
Felix: Being able to sell out live shows around the country without any music released has been really cool and we owe that to the people who continue to support us. This single is as much ours as it is theirs.
“Menace” is a fantastic tune and a blast of a way to introduce yourself to the masses. Considering how anthemic the studio recording is, I can’t imagine how much bigger and louder it sounds live. It is definitely a song that puts Cairo Station on our radar, and with promises of more to come, I cannot wait to hear what’s next.
And finally, what’s your favourite fruit? Cara: I’m going to have to go with an Orange.
Felix: It’s impossible to beat Watermelon.