Inspired by music icons like Queen and the blending of genres like rock and blues, Refuge has created their own unique sound. Their newly released single, Bored, is extremely relatable in a time when we are all sick of hearing about everything bad in the world. With only this teaser out, we are excited to hear the rest of their upcoming debut album. Beyond the music, Refuge is dedicated to helping their community. Working with organizations like Newham Music Trust to bring music education to children, Music Venue Trust to keep small venues for small artists open, and supporting The Oasis Hub food, toy, and clothing pantries. To learn more about Refuge and their upcoming album, read on.

Where are you based?
We are all based in London, UK.

What inspired you all to come together to form a band?
I moved to London with the intent purpose of forming a band and making great music. I believe the guys all moved to London with the same dream, just to make good music that people would want to listen to, and so many twists of fate made our paths cross.

How would you describe your band's musical style? Are there any artists who have inspired your band dynamic?
We are a rock ‘n’ roll band, making catchy songs with hooky riffs, big choruses blended with meaningful lyrics. We encompass blues, rock, indie and occasionally even some funk into the bass lines. Our style is inspired by the greats, but we think unmistakably our own.

Every band is different, with different characters, and this all effects the inner workings of every band. One band that inspires us is Queen. Like ourselves they were all very different characters, and they used those differences to push and challenge each other musically.

You all come from such varied backgrounds — Wales, Lithuania, Nigeria, Italy, East London. How do your different upbringings influence the band’s sound and spirit?
Our varied backgrounds are what make our sound unique. Rock has been around for a very long time now and so much has all been done before. However, we believe that as soon as Refuge comes onto your radio/streaming service you will immediately know that it is us.

Our varied backgrounds bring varied musical upbringings into a musical melting pot, that we then turn into something familiar, but at the same time original.

Congratulations on the release of your single, Bored. What was the first spark that led you all to write it?
Thank you very much, it has been a long and exciting journey to bring the track out and we are constantly blown away by the reception we are receiving from people.

I actually had the riff for that track for a while, but lyrically the spark came from just switching on the news and social media and becoming frustrated about the state of the world — prejudices against the colour of someone's skin and who someone chooses to love or be loved by, the hypocrisy of religions and our world leaders etc. For all our technological advances, we continue to make the same mistakes over and over, and I was just like, I’m so tired and Bored of this, we can do better! It’s a track born out of frustration!

If someone listens to Bored for the first time, what do you hope they walk away feeling?
Firstly, elation, as it’s thumping, no nonsense rock ‘n’ roll track, just get it on, turn it up and spread the word.

Secondly, we’d love it if people felt that, hey this is pretty good where can I listen to more and maybe I have a band that I can really get behind.

Lastly, we are happy if people take something from the lyrics, but we never want to be too preachy, so if you want to just enjoy rocking out, that is fine with us.

We heard that you are set to release your debut album this coming year. Can you share more information on what fans can expect?
They can expect quite a wide range of musical styles ranging from massive rock anthems, to quite funky and soulful numbers, plus soft and gentle and epic rock! Songs include What If? — a song that asks: what if we could do things a different way and keep the same innocence and acceptance that we have as children? – the Roxy-like Nearly - about my long-term attempts to keep my head above water financially, and a story song about the passage of time in a man’s life – and Lay It On Me - about the exuberance of youth and losing your virginity to someone who is far more experienced than you. As well as Bored! The album’s called Almost Nearly There and it’s ace!

What are some of the messages behind the upcoming album?
I write about the state of the world that we have made for ourselves and how true change will only come if everyone on the planet can get access to a balanced and varied education. On the record, we go through messages of hope, change, different ways of thinking and seeing the world, and how we can all do our bit to change the world that we live in.

The album’s closing track - Low Winter Sun – has a message of perseverance and self-belief - not letting other people tell you what to dream or aspire to be and then keeping working hard through whatever ups and downs to get to where you want be — and is really an analogy for recognition, success and fame, and a reflection on the long and winding road that’s led to Refuge’s point in the musical universe.

You are strong supporters of the Music Venue Trust and organizations like Oasis Hub and Newham Music Trust. Why is that community work important to Refuge?
Small live music venues are ESSSENTIAL for all musicians to hone their craft on stage. In these venues you can make mistakes, get used to not singing in a studio or at home with a laptop, and see what tracks work and those that don’t. The music venue trust has been fighting so hard for years to keep these venues from closing by putting pressure on the government to get costs down (like taxes and rentals) and by making stadium tours pay a small amount from each ticket. They have also recently started community ownership of venues.

Food banks have unfortunately become the norm for many people in the UK, and the Oasis Hub is one of the only places people can just walk into and immediately get food and supplies without massive questionnaires.

Newham Music Trust provide high quality musical education to children and young people, giving opportunities to those who would otherwise not be able to afford to get them.

Can you tell us more about your work with these organizations?
Our drummer still works five days a week with the Newham music trust, providing lessons, doing admin and whatever else they ask of him. He finds it really rewarding, especially in children with learning difficulties to see how they progress with the trust’s help.

We have played many shows in venues supported by the music venue trust, somewhere a percentage of the proceeds go to them or where we have made personal donations.

The Oasis hub is so easy to help out, you just turn up with any food, toys, clothes that you do not need and they will put it all to good use Almost immediately.

How do you envision Refuge growing over the next year, especially with your debut album on the horizon?
We are taking it step by step for now with three singles planned before the release of our debut long-player ‘Almost Nearly There’. We then hope to keep building and building to bigger and better things and off course our favorite part, more live shows.

Are there any upcoming projects you would like to share?
Only Refuge for now.

It has been a crazy past few years, how have you been staying positive?
Well, making music and writing about the last few years has been a very cathartic experience so it definitely helps. Perspective also helps as however bad it has been or can get, most of the time there are so many more people worse off and so it’s important to be thankful for what you have.

We are all lucky enough to be friends, and have other fantastic friends and family to help us out. Keeping fit, healthy and active is also so important, whatever level of fitness you have just get out there and it helps a lot.

What is your motto in life?
Work hard, keep going, enjoy the moment.

To learn more about Refuge, please check out the links below:
www.officalrefuge.com
Bored YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/GVYs-YVKv6Q?si=L75BipGlP4CmKSwp
YouTube
Instagram: @officialrefuge
Facebook: www.facebook.com/officialrefuge

Refuge is a Rock 'n' Roll Musical Melting Pot