1. You’re playing #360RAW8 in a few weeks, what can you tell us about your band?
We’re Ceiling Demons – an alternative music collective from Richmond, North Yorkshire, we formed in late 2012 and are fronted by identical twin brothers Psy Ceiling and Dan Demon.
2. What can the audience expect from your set?
A raw and emotive ritual, right on the summer solstice. Expect energy, passion and healing.
3. How would you describe your sound and who are your influences?
We make left-field hip-hop that dabbles in scenic soundscapes and spoken word spells. Our songwriting can be experimental and we’ve taken influence from many artists from Tricky and The Streets to Joy Division and Nick Cave. We aim to create artful, emotive music that hopefully resonates with people who feel it.
4. The #360RAW nights have been pretty rowdy and memorable so far; have you had any particularly memorable gigs in Yorkshire?
Well aye! Yeah, we’ve played many memorable gigs in Yorkshire from supporting Young Fathers at the Belgrave Music Hall during their Dead tour (which won the Mercury music prize!) to a sold-out show with Sleaford Mods at the Hop in Wakefield. We’ve opened for Buck 65 at the Brudenell Social Club, played in an art gallery in Sheffield for Tramlines festival and have headlined the tent at Richmond Live several times. From North, South, East and West we have nothing but fond memories of playing in Yorkshire.
5. What do you think about the Yorkshire music scene? Are there any bands we should be looking out for?
It’s a huge county with an abundance of talented creatives! Some of our favourites who we’ve played with and ones to keep an eye out for are Duck, Straight Girl, Rosey PM, Otis Mensah, Lence, Fold, No Fixed Identity and Dead Naked Hippies.
6. What are the pros and cons of being in a band with your brother?
Brotherly love is at the core of the group; we bounce off ideas and inspire one another; however, like in any sibling relationship, it can kick off sometimes.
7. You are strong advocates of addressing mental health issues. Do you think enough is being done to help musicians through the mental health issues arising from their vocation?
It is certainly improving but it can be a fine line; people’s mentalities can be delicate and perhaps those who have creative tendencies are more vulnerable than most, but music is an incredibly healing therapy. More could be done to support the wellbeing of musicians for sure but, as the conversation spreads, the general awareness grows which can only be a positive thing as we progress collectively through the human condition.
8. What advice would you give to a musician or a fan going through mental health issues?
Channel that energy, whether you listen to or create music or art or poetry or cook or play sport or whatever – find something that makes your heart sing and keep doing it. Open up to your loved ones and be kind to yourself. Expression and communication are so important when going through negative mental health spells. Exercise and counselling can be very beneficial too, both of which we would highly recommend. There’s lots of support out there, be brave and seek it out in times of need for you are never alone.
9. Curveball question now – would you rather have no sense of smell or no sense of hearing?
If we had to pick between the two it would be no sense of smell.
10. #360RAW8 … last chance to plug your set. Why should people come down to check you out?
After riding high off the back of some key appearances across the North of England – including Stockton Calling and Long Division Festivals, as well as crucial support slots with post-punk pioneers A Certain Ratio in Newcastle and the underground US indie-rap icon Ceschi in Teesside – the #360RAW8 show is a much-anticipated Leeds date that will see the flame of art continue to burn over entertainment. Find the fire, if you feel it.
