It’s Tuesday and high time for another round of Five Questions and a Song, the weekly column where we chase down new musical talent and ask them to share one of their tracks for your listening pleasure.
Today we’re talking to lead singer Olly Wills of The Epstein, an Oxford folk/indie act that started out playing open mic nights in the back rooms of pubs, gradually acquiring a devoted following both home and abroad through atmospheric live shows and poetic lyrics. The band is now following up their critically acclaimed debut album The Last of The Charanguistas with Murmurations, a record exploring the act of moving on from people and places and the significance of moments. The Epstein is in the middle of a string of British and European gigs, including plenty of festival shows to look forward to this summer. Have a listen to their bittersweet single ‘Calling Out Your Name’ below.
Tell us about your band.
The Epstein is an Alt-Folk-Rock band and we’ve just released our second album. We love playing live and have a busy summer lined up with shows across the UK and Europe. We aim to capture both the intimate and the cinematic in our performances, so come and check us out soon!
What's your greatest festival experience?
Glastonbury for the first time, playing the acoustic stage. The scale of the place and the mass of humanity! I've been twice and can't wait to go back again, hopefully next year.
What do you do in Oxford on a rainy day?
I visit the recently refurbished Ashmolean Museum. It’s a real treasure trove and always has great exhibitions on. If you’re feeling adventurous, or are a dog owner like me, then head for the open expanse of Port Meadow, the largest area of common land in a city anywhere in Europe.
Do you prefer being holed up in the studio or strutting it onstage? [asked by previous interviewees Co-pilgrim]
I love both parts of being in a band. At the minute, we’re in the middle of a very busy live schedule so the band is really working well live, which is so exciting to be part of, but in about six weeks or so we’ve got some days booked at a studio and we’ll have to get our recording heads on again. Playing a great show in front of an appreciative audience is hard to beat, but capturing something special in the studio is also pure joy... Both then!
What can you tell us about this song?
‘Calling Out Your Name’ is a song that seeks to tell story of the process of being in a band and how that works alongside your personal life. It seeks to be a positive call to arms: “I’m going to keep this thing a rollin’ / See it right through / Find the time tonight”. But also seeks to offer comfort to a lover: “Dont give me no reasons - I've heard every word / Don't give me these tears - I know what they're worth / If you walk away, I’ll search the whole earth and I’ll look and I’ll find / I’ll find you there”.
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