Issue 30: The Agency...
Issue 30: The Agency...
Welcome to The Band Bible! I’m truly glad to have you here. If you’re a new reader, purpose of this newsletter is to address, break down, and shine a light on the business of being in a band. Each issue, we do this by interviewing (and celebrating!) someone who is making waves through their incredible work with or for artists, or artists themselves. Learning the business of being in a band is something that is often inaccessible or shrouded in mystery, and it shouldn’t be, so I hope The Band Bible is able to play even a small role in helping to change that.
It’s a pleasure to have The Agency… as the interviewee for the October bonus issue. The Agency…first came into the Carnival of Oddities fold years ago, back when I was in my earliest days of undertaking PR on my own. In fact, they were one of the first bands I worked with in this capacity. I’ll always be really grateful for that, and working with them to promote their releases was a delightful experience.
That was all a few years ago. Now that PR has been shelved indefinitely to make more room for The Band Bible, it was wonderful to be able to reconnect with The Agency…through a new medium. Reading their interview answers back taught me so much more about them than I already knew, which was really special. Here, vocalist and guitarist Steven K Driver dives into breaking out of one’s local circuit, their upcoming UK tour (details for where to catch them are at the end of this issue), which commandment they’re leaving behind in The Band Bible, and more. Enjoy the interview.
What's the origin story of The Agency…?
The origin story of The Agency… is quite interesting. Initially, I was working on some solo material when I spoke with our original drummer, Garry Cosgrove, about collaborating on songwriting. He challenged me to take the lead in writing, and we soon gathered a lineup that included Steve Beyer, Andy Ludbrook, and Scott Wall—members of various Shoegaze/Post Rock bands like The Daak and My Exit Music, which I highly recommend checking out. You can hear the evolution of our sound on our first album, For the Brave and Troubled, which has a strong singer/songwriter foundation.
As we progressed to our second album, Of Ghosts, I began writing with a more band-oriented approach, which we really solidified on our latest album, In the Haunted Woods. Over time, we've transformed into more of a collective, with members coming and going due to life’s demands, but we consistently maintain our trademark vocal harmonies and kosmische guitar sounds throughout it all.
How have you all managed juggling the band with jobs and other commitments?
As Andy (our bassist) says, “that’s life.” He claims he's reached a point with his growing media empire where he can choose how to spend his time and manage employees. I just hope the taxman isn’t listening! It’s true, though—life gets busy, which is why we view ourselves as a collective. Members may leave for a time but often return when circumstances allow, like Garry, who is currently a video editor in Berlin.
My commitments tend to impact the writing process the most, but we keep moving forward. Having a studio space and a weekly commitment definitely helps maintain momentum.
You're all hitting the road soon. What are you most looking forward to?
Again, I’ll borrow Andy’s words: “crowd reactions to hearing the music and sweeping people away with the incredible vibe we create on stage. Oh, and I love the ice cream in Brighton. Hope and Anchor is an iconic venue.” For me, it’s all about getting out there, meeting new people, and connecting with audiences in different places. It’s been a while since we toured, so I’m really excited to hit the road again and be proactive.
If a band wants to start doing out-of-town gigs, what should their first step be?
Just do it. Indie bands especially need to keep stirring the pot. Tours generate media attention and allow for genuine connections with audiences in ways that online engagement often can’t match. It’s easy to complain about a lack of response sitting at home, but you have to see touring, music releases, and writing as part of a bigger picture rather than isolated events.
On a practical level, having good tour managers and booking agents is essential. If you don’t have those, finding enthusiastic promoters can help a lot. The DIY approach is perfectly valid, but it requires hard work and a willingness to knock on many doors. Be prepared for some disappointments and give yourself at least four months’ notice to start planning. Putting together a tour is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle; you need to know your key dates and hope everything else falls into place.
Lastly, which "commandment" would you like to leave behind in The Band Bible?
Martin Thompson, our current guitarist, released an album a couple of years back called “Be Nice to Everyone.” That’s our commandment. It may seem obvious, but I’ve seen so many people in the music world overlook it—often without realizing it. In his biography, Keith Richards advised being kind to sound and lighting engineers, unlike Mick Jagger. Everyone around you in music plays a crucial role in your success, including support acts, headliners, promoters, PR people, and management.
It’s easy to take people for granted, but don’t expect everyone to be nice back, and don’t take offence if they’re not. Artists and those involved in art are very human, after all. The key is to enjoy your time in music; showing up to gigs grumpy or overly expectant doesn’t help anyone. Yes, you need to ensure your sound is right, but that doesn’t have to turn into a battle. So, remember, “be nice to everyone.”
A big thanks to The Agency… for taking the time to share such thoughtful answers. Click here to pre-save their forthcoming single “Harbour Song,” which is out this Friday, and keep reading for information about their UK tour kicking off later this week. Links to purchase tickets have been included when possible.
October 31st: Hope and Anchor, London
November 1st: Actress and Bishop, Birmingham
November 3rd: Folklore Rooms, Brighton
December 7th: The Grove, Newcastle
December 14th: Two By Two Brewery and Taproom, Newcastle
The Agency… is Steven K Driver (vocals and guitar), John Egdell (drums), Andy Ludbrook (bass), and Martin Thompson (guitar).