Meet... Lock-In

London-based five-piece Lock-In are causing sonic waves across the music scene as they emphatically start 2021 in style.

Photo Courtesy of Rise Music Agency

Since developing through the graceful years of early 2019, the growing youngsters haven't let anyone forget who they are, even in the middle of a pandemic. Bridging the gap between carefree adolescence and youthful adulthood, Lock-In reflects on their own experiences through infused sounds of David Bowie with Stone Roses; creating a light yet heavy rock sound that's sprinkled with dazzling indie-pop.

Following on from their hit singles 'Teenager' and 'Rosy Cheeks', the band are back with 'Get Over It'. A danceable, funky track that's relatable to listeners as they delve into the struggles and healing of life.

With a huge year ahead of them, Vibez caught up with guitarist and band member Patrick to talk about the plans of 2021, the process of 'Get Over It' and the dream for Lock-In.

Firstly, the first week of 2021, how excited are you for this year and what are your plans?

We think 2021 will be a tough, year for every band. We’re optimistic to get gigging towards the back end of the year and, until then we’re going to stay busy writing and recording new tunes.

Emerging back in 2019 and forming in sixth form - what influenced you to become a five-piece and where did the name 'Lock-In' come from?

I was made aware of a band called 34 Handshakes by a mutual friend of Benjy’s. I met the rest of the boys at community Festival, told them I wrote tunes and would love to start something up. Couple weeks later Ollie joined the band through another mutual friend. It was fate I’m sure.

Long story about the name, there had been a few ideas flowing about but, one night the five of us got locked in a Public House (pub) and, then we became Lock-In.

As you gather a range of influences within your music from each member, how would you describe your sound?

Definitely think we’re a British Rock band rather than an indie band. The term indie is so broad and washed - it’s hard to define what that ‘indie band’ sound is. We take influences from the greats of every music genre and era.

You released your first single 'Teenager' back in September, what is the story behind this track, and did you expect the reaction you gained from your listeners?

We believe 'Teenager' was the first song we were very, happy with - it was a team effort! It’s about being a teenager, and the freedom that comes with it. It’s a self-explanatory statement of us, where we were at and where we felt the people around us were at.

If you could name one collaboration, who would it be and why?

That’s very hard to name just one to collaborate with. If I had to choose it would be an Aussie band called Sticky Fingers. We all dig that surfer rock style. Dizza is a true, modern-day rock n roll star and the bass player has a pretty cool name!

Last year, you released your hit single ‘Rosy Cheeks’ – what was the key influence behind this track, and did it come out like you were expecting or were there any challenges?

Speaking, on behalf of the band, I’d gotten in stupid hours of the morning after a night out and, felt obligated to play the guitar. I’m glad I did because it popped out the makings of 'Rosy Cheeks'. It draws inspiration from Nile Rodgers of Chic and the disco sounds of the 70s. The most challenging thing was the recording of it. We were destined to get it to spot on in the studio as it’s such an intricate song compared to the rawness of 'Teenager'. It would be an interesting, song to revisit later down the line!

With being a rising band, what have you found the most challenging since emerging onto the scene and what has been the most vital thing you've learnt over the past few years?

The most challenging aspect came six months into forming as a band. The global pandemic put a stop to any gigs we had planned and made us think about how to approach being a band.

The most vital thing I think we’ve learned is no matter what happens to the industry we are proudly part of it. Nothing stops the power of music, Spotify and iTunes streams have skyrocketed, it's down to the simplicity of how important music is to people. Connecting with people online and interacting in new ways taught us more ways of getting our music out there and getting it heard.

Based in London, what are your top three rising artists, you think we should be listening to?

Give skinner brothers a listen too. The Motive are quite cool. And us!

You’ve recently announced your third single ‘Get Over It’, which is due to be released on the 8th – how excited are you about your first release of 2021 and what do you hope to achieve from it?

'Get Over It' has been recorded for a while so, it’s very cathartic. There are no grandiose plans for it aside from hoping that it reaches more people than the last two did. We just hope it can cheer people up through January! We have got a little listening party lined up for followers to join us - that should be fun.

With some ups and downs with live performances last year from cancelling to exclusive garden sets. How excited are you to get back out and perform live?

Live performances are the best part of our job, it’s what we all look forward to being able to do. There is no other feeling like walking on stage to play your first number to the audience.

Already setting your heights high this year with a new single coming out, can listeners expect a bigger project from you guys this year or soon?

There is a big idea in the works! We can’t say much on that right now! Keep your eyes and ears peeled.

Finally, what is the dream for Lock-In?

Rather than to say playing Glasto or, whatever for me, it’s about proving all these old heads wrong that even in the times we live in our generation, we can still write cracking tunes. The dream is to look back in 10 years and be proud of a body of work.