Project 1268 is a band mixing together elements of Americana, roots and rock and roll, making for one fantastic package! Their music is really exceptional, as displayed in one of their latest releases, Records Back. If you’re into your old school rock and roll, you really need to check their music out!
By Jane Howkins
You released a single titled Records Back. What can you tell us about the track?
This one started with the groove, then we started goofing around with lyrics playfully at first before realising the song meant more to us than what it first appeared… We sing a lot of songs that make references to records, which of course were a big deal for us growing up. In this song, though, the records are only part of what we are getting back – the track came about from us just thinking about getting back a normal life after living through situations where, shall we say, takers took from us….
How has the reception to Records Back been so far, and where can the song be purchased?
It’s available through almost all streaming services, and the reception has been FANTASTIC, especially in England.
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
Absolutely! We will have a new song out by late April and we have at least two more singles set for later in the year.
Do you plan to release an EP or an album anytime soon?
Yes, those singles plus several other songs are part of our second full album, due out late spring or early summer.
Your music has an retro, rootsy rock sound. What/who influences you most as artists? What have you been listening to recently?
We have SOOO many influences. Folk artists like the Mamas and the Papas and Simon and Garfunkel, through to newer ones too like Mumford and Sons. But we also love old soul, like Aretha and Wilson Pickett and James Brown, plus some of the 2000s era folks like Amy Winehouse, Sharon Jones, Caro Emerald etc. Lately, we have been listening to great artists like Maddie Zahm, Bailen, Sammy Rae and Nate Rateliff and the Night Sweats.
Have you got anything else exciting coming up this year?
Gigs, the new album – we are always working on new songs! We’re hopefully going to get invited to a couple of music festivals, including the Arkansas’ edition of US based National Public Radio for a concert.
What is the writing and recording process like for you?
It’s so different for each of us and for different songs. The majority of Craig’s ideas come as poetry, then chord progressions, then a melody… Haley’s ideas come as images that she assigns words and phrases to that eventually get changed to having beautiful symmetry and a powerful impact. We have sat with a melody, though, and talked through the lyrics together as well. Recording has been so much fun. It’s work but we both love simultaneously goofing around and pushing each other to be better.
Where are you based? How is the local music scene faring at the moment?
We are in Bentonville Arkansas, famous for being the corporate headquarters for Walmart. Neither of us work for them. The local music scene is growing, but sometimes it’s a mystery. There are tons of great musicians here, yet it seems like larger venues and festivals really only seek out groups from other regions. There are a large number of restaurants and bars featuring music, but sometimes we feel almost like we are an afterthought for the people while they have dinner. We lack small to medium venues where people solely come to dance and/or hear what’s new in the local music scene.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
At this moment we would probably have to plan on 2024, but we are patiently planning on becoming a big deal there, therefore we’re expecting some great offers! Hahaha!
Any last words for the fans?
We can’t possibly express how grateful we are to everyone, especially there in England, who is listening to us. Our favourite songs were always the ones that made us feel like someone understood us or that gave us a boost or a special memory. To think we may be doing that for someone else is very humbling and exciting.