Interview with Lee Heir of the Band Prime (UK)
By Mick Michaels
The Cosmick View: Hello, Lee and welcome to The Cosmick View/MBM Ten Pounder! Thanks for taking some time to chat with us!
CV: Describe your definition of the band’s sound and style and how does that definition uniquely describe the music?
Lee Heir: I would say we're a creative and energetic Rock band mixing in different styles, such as Indie, Soul, Funk and Punk.
CV: Today, everyone talks about artist and audience connection. Is such a level
of connection actually achievable for an artist and if so, how have you made
the connection to your fans?
LH: I think at times it gets a little Blue Peter (British kids TV show), but it never hurts to be close and have that respect for the people who listen to your music and come to see you. We've just gone out and played, been very honest about what we do, and the people seem to come with us when they watch it. I always like to hear people's honest opinions.
LH: I think at times it gets a little Blue Peter (British kids TV show), but it never hurts to be close and have that respect for the people who listen to your music and come to see you. We've just gone out and played, been very honest about what we do, and the people seem to come with us when they watch it. I always like to hear people's honest opinions.
CV: Is fan interaction an important part of the band’s inner culture?
LH: Of course, but I also believe a band should keep a little bit of mystique too. Does everyone really need to see everything at all times? Probably not.
LH: Of course, but I also believe a band should keep a little bit of mystique too. Does everyone really need to see everything at all times? Probably not.
CV: Can a band truly interact with its fans and still maintain a level of
personal privacy without crossing the line and giving up their “personal space”
in your opinion?
LH: Yes of course they can. But if you're in a Rock band and you want privacy, I think you're in the wrong game!
LH: Yes of course they can. But if you're in a Rock band and you want privacy, I think you're in the wrong game!
CV: Is music, and its value, viewed differently around the world in your
opinion? If so, what do you see as the biggest difference in such
multiple views among various cultures?
LH: We played shows in Germany, Sweden, Holland and more over our time gigging before I called it a day with our last gig in March 2020, and maybe it's a little bit of "the grass is always greener" but I did see a higher level of appreciation in certain places there than we sometimes got in our early days playing smaller venues in the UK. Maybe it's the language difference, who knows. I'm often saying to new musicians, just because people in your own city don't like you, it doesn't mean you can't get out there and travel and find an audience elsewhere.
LH: We played shows in Germany, Sweden, Holland and more over our time gigging before I called it a day with our last gig in March 2020, and maybe it's a little bit of "the grass is always greener" but I did see a higher level of appreciation in certain places there than we sometimes got in our early days playing smaller venues in the UK. Maybe it's the language difference, who knows. I'm often saying to new musicians, just because people in your own city don't like you, it doesn't mean you can't get out there and travel and find an audience elsewhere.
CV: Do you feel that a band that has an international appeal, will tend to
connect more so to American audiences? Would they be more enticed or intrigued
to see the band over indigenous acts because of the foreign flavor?
LH: Exactly what I just mentioned. But the intrigue will disappear very quickly if you don't entertain the audiences. Our last manager was actually from South Carolina, but sadly we had a few internal issues that stopped us from playing there a few years ago.
CV: Has modern-day digital technology made everyone an artist on some level in your opinion? Have the actual lines of what really is an artist been blurred?
LH: Everyone is an artist. Just a simple act of rebellion is art. But the problem is good artists who don't have a marketing team behind them and have no ability in that field will no doubt get lost in the shuffle with bad musicians or performers that are media savvy. I've seen many acts like that struggle over the last few years, and it's sad. But some people don't help themselves either, we're all human.
LH: Exactly what I just mentioned. But the intrigue will disappear very quickly if you don't entertain the audiences. Our last manager was actually from South Carolina, but sadly we had a few internal issues that stopped us from playing there a few years ago.
CV: Has modern-day digital technology made everyone an artist on some level in your opinion? Have the actual lines of what really is an artist been blurred?
LH: Everyone is an artist. Just a simple act of rebellion is art. But the problem is good artists who don't have a marketing team behind them and have no ability in that field will no doubt get lost in the shuffle with bad musicians or performers that are media savvy. I've seen many acts like that struggle over the last few years, and it's sad. But some people don't help themselves either, we're all human.
CV: How would you describe the difference between an artist who follows trends
and one who sets them?
LH: I wouldn't want to set a trend at all, I'd just want to be original. Followers in music instantly lose respect with me, as they don't have anything new or interesting to say.
LH: I wouldn't want to set a trend at all, I'd just want to be original. Followers in music instantly lose respect with me, as they don't have anything new or interesting to say.
CV: Has music overall been splintered into too many sub-genres in an effort to appease fan tastes in your opinion? And has such fan appeasements, in actuality, weakened music’s impact as a whole by dividing audiences?
LH: I don't really have enough knowledge to answer that question. I suppose it's easier to box music like that, rather than just let people have a wide range of music and make up their own minds. I've never followed genres, it's all very boring. I think real music fans are always smart enough to divide good music from bad. It's more about the press, media and music companies. Music fans will always be on the lookout for something good or different.
CV: What can fans expect to see coming next from you?
LH: Our last Prime releases, including our last single and official music video out on December 1st, a song by our guitarist Chris D. Bramley called 'Sorry'. There won't be any more gigs. We were offered a tour for 2021 last year as one of our songs “To Be Or Not To Be” has done really well on streaming sites. But I turned it down as I want to try something new.
LH: Our last Prime releases, including our last single and official music video out on December 1st, a song by our guitarist Chris D. Bramley called 'Sorry'. There won't be any more gigs. We were offered a tour for 2021 last year as one of our songs “To Be Or Not To Be” has done really well on streaming sites. But I turned it down as I want to try something new.
CV: Thanks again Lee for taking some time and talking. It is
greatly appreciated.
LH: My pleasure Mick…very interesting questions. Thanks!
Check out Prime at:
Official: https://www.primeband.co.uk
LH: My pleasure Mick…very interesting questions. Thanks!
Check out Prime at:
Official: https://www.primeband.co.uk
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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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