Crouton Cannon: Where Credit Is Due
Just over a year ago we wrote about a band called Crouton Cannon and their single ‘Share’, a cautionary tale surrounding the issues with being too open on the internet. Now, we welcome Crouton Cannon back with their debut album ‘Soup Sessions’ and an exclusive Q&A with the band’s five members.
Crouton Cannon - Jonny Cheung, Alex Marshall, Louise O’Connor, Ben Swan and Dan Marks.
With a series of lockdown variations over the band’s existence, it’s been difficult for Crouton Cannon to go out and showcase the music written by bandleader and guitarist Alex Marshall. But together with vocalist Louise O’Connor, keyboardist Dan Marks, Jonny Cheung on bass and drummer Ben Swan, Crouton Cannon did play a live set of sorts earlier this year. Recorded for the Soulful Spring Virtual Festival, the band played a half-hour set at London’s Resident Studios, which was compiled back in April alongside a wealth of other talent.
Following the release of their debut album ‘Soup Sessions’ in September, Crouton Cannon also recorded an EP featuring three songs from the album in a stripped-down style. This collection, entitled ‘Lockdown Sessions’ was released in October, with accompanying videos for each track on the band’s YouTube channel.
Though the band has been steadily releasing singles from Soup Sessions since the end of 2019, there would still be one or two brand new songs that would come with the album’s full release. Crouton Cannon would save those for later on in the record’s listening experience, which would begin with ‘Boogie Blight’.
As well as ‘Share’, we also wrote about Boogie Blight back in 2020. Originally released in July of that year, this track is a wonderfully upbeat start to the record. With chord stabs from Dan Marks and the constant shake of percussion, there are also some complimentary backing vocals from the band:
‘How were we to know disco helped to spread night fever?
(All our sources say that disco was dead),
Time to divert all flights to funky town,
(Contact your airline for compensation),
We need a jitterbug jab, won’t somebody please think of the children,
(Won't somebody please think of the youth).’
Alex Marshall’s lyrics are oddly prophetic when mentioning flight compensation. The mood stays up for ‘Credit’, one of the other tracks we previously reviewed. The lyrics to Crouton Cannon’s debut single might tempt you into believing this is a song about a failed relationship, but the truth is it’s far more devastating than that.
‘You were the one I worked hardest on, spent time and money on you but now you're gone. We were a 9 out of 10 coming through, standing by for 2 for 1 zen in the queue. Punched a hole through my heart, can't find a picture of you.’
Credit is in fact about the loss of a coffee shop loyalty card. It’s Marshall’s imagination that partly makes Crouton Cannon such an interestingly different band to listen to. The other side of course is the band’s playing itself.
‘When you step on the scene, I get a hit of dopamine, that positive feedback loop leaves me in hot pursuit.’
The tone is entirely different for the album’s third track – ‘Expressing’. Each member of the band’s playing is subtle, but these parts come together to create the soundscape underneath Louise O’Connor’s smooth vocal. I particularly enjoy Alex Marshall’s cyclic electric guitar part, which is echoed by Jonny Cheung’s bassline. Ben Swan’s snare sound is unusual, as if there’s a chain across the batter head or a set of keys. It stands out whilst remaining dry in the mix.
In terms of the lyrical content, Expressing is a love song from a biological perspective. Alex discusses many chemicals common to the human body in his words, from dopamine, to testosterone and serotonin. With most adults having experienced the situations described in this song, some might say this is the most relatable love song ever written.
The music video is a glimpse into the band’s recording process on board Lightship 95, a floating studio space on the River Thames. These songs were all cut live over one weekend in early 2019 with engineering and production by Dave Holmes and a full production credit going to Crouton Cannon. The video also helps to highlight Marshall’s backing vocals, which are assisted by Ben Swan across the album.
It’s clear to see how much fun the band are having in the session video for ‘Find The One’. Louise O’Connor especially comes into her own during the song’s chorus, which has one of my favourite melodies from the entirety of Soup Sessions:
‘I’ll keep turning the beat around ’til I find the one who is keeping me by the sides, I know when we meet we will be aligned when we come to repeat.’
A part of this song not to be underestimated is Dan Marks’ electric piano line. Though more difficult to distinguish in the mix, it holds a rhythmic and melodic edge that would be sorely missed if it was absent entirely. Marshall’s guitar solo brings the atmosphere down at first, before the band round out the track with another chorus and a truly exciting finish.
As well as the arrangement perfectly exploiting the band’s talents, this take couldn’t have better captured the interplay between Crouton Cannon as a unit. It’s somewhat criminal that this ensemble hasn’t performed in front of more audiences.
The ‘Lockdown Sessions’ EP showcases a different side to Crouton Cannon, as seen in this video for ‘Share’. Alex Marshall hangs up his electric and brings out an acoustic instead, while Dan Marks can be seen contributing backing vocals and using a brighter piano sound to balance out Alex’s acoustic.
The tailored back approach to Ben Swan’s drumming gives Jonny Cheung’s bass playing a more prominent place in Share’s sound. This may well be the best example of Crouton Cannon’s backing vocal talent too, blended brilliantly with O’Connor’s lead. Though all recorded at home, Katie Tavini’s mastering brings together these different environments, making it all sound as if they were produced under one roof.
The first track to debut on Soup Sessions is a song that might not be about soup, but remains in the realm of culinary consumption. It raises the important and often divisive topic: Do You Like Pineapple On Your Pizza?
‘Order that, you can take it back, for this one thing, I can give no slack. An unnatural synthesis, a flatbread fave with a tragic twist.’
For Alex Marshall, it’s a clear no. ‘Pick Off The Pieces’ is exactly about that. Why ruin a perfectly good thing? Of course, I must remain impartial on the subject. One thing I’m not impartial to though is that groove.
Jonny Cheung stays close to the laid-back rhythm while Marshall skates around it on guitar. There is some tasty phaser applied to Ben Swan’s cymbal strikes, who also harmonises with O’Connor during the track’s chorus. Alex’s drawn out ‘Woo-Hoo’ overdubs give an extra dynamic next to this pairing. For those wanting to imitate the instrumental break during the latter’s live guitar solo, that’s helpfully transcribed in this song’s music video.
Soup Sessions ends the way it began, with an infectious upbeat song. Much like all of this album, ‘Turn You On’ is centred around another relatable subject, the utter despair felt when you realise you’ve forgotten to charge your phone. Alex Marshall again writes a great melody for the song’s chorus:
‘Tell me why I cannot turn you on, I’ve lost the link that first got you to respond. There’s no use trying to force a fit that’s wrong, how could I neglect to reconnect?’
One of my favourite moments in Turn You On is when the band brings the mood down. A modest solo is first taken by Jonny Cheung, which is followed by Dan Marks’ keyboard spot with the wah pedal firmly in the on position. Just as you think Alex might take a guitar solo, the band are fully back into the groove with Louise O’Connor bringing another round of the chorus.
Even without a music video, you can feel the energy in the room in those final moments as Ben Swan’s cymbal play gets heavier on the ride and crash. With a descending note funky finish, the band end Soup Sessions with a bang.
Continue reading for our Q&A with all of Crouton Cannon. We ask about everyone’s favourite moment from these sessions, where they all stand on the Pineapple On Pizza debate, and the possibility of the band performing live in 2022. All this and more below.
1. Your debut album 'Soup Sessions' is finally out! What's everyone's favourite moment on this record?
Alex Marshall: Right now it’s the second verse for the lead single “Credit”. For me, it’s full of delicious musical nuggets that have gotten tastier with every listen. Little improvised idiosyncrasies like the keyboard fills, drum hits and Louise’s phrasing are now inseparable parts of the tune for me.
Jonny Cheung: Gotta be the chorus of “Turn You On” right now. Get that blood pumping.
Ben Swan: Tricky one. Probably the last chorus of Turn You On - it was just such a moment in the studio, smacking the stuff as loud and hard as we could with just a few minutes left to spare before the session was over.
Dan Marks: The final outro to “Credit” is just great. It’s a fast, groovy song throughout and it’s so great when everyone lets loose at the end of the track. Then after a short silence you have that final riff at the end, everyone was so tight!
Louise O’Connor: It would have to be the transition from the end of the first verse into the first chorus of Share. For me this is quite a significant gear change and I love that it jumps into a loud powerful chorus and then drops back to quiet, sweet harmonised vocals. A real rollercoaster.
2. The whole album was recorded in just a single weekend, that's quite a turnaround! Were the tracks cut live as seen in your session videos?
Alex: The core elements of lead vocals, guitar, keyboard, bass and drums were recorded together. Later the backing vocals, percussion and other additions were layered over. We wanted to capture a live performance energy on the record so the songs are largely one take, with a few snippets borrowed from alternate takes we preferred.
Dan: Even though we had a shorter time frame, it never felt as though we were truly rushed. The way the tracks were created and rehearsed, we still had plenty of freedom to put our own individual stamp and our musical voices into the songs during the recording process. Although it was sometimes nerve-wracking trying to get 5 people to get the perfect take all at the same time!
Louise: In hindsight this was pretty ambitious but I wouldn’t change a thing. I love all of that footage, it was such a special weekend that it’s so wonderful we have those videos to relive it authentically again! I love our little interactions between each other and if you look out for the end of Credit there’s a beautiful moment where we all recognised we had nailed that take, you won’t miss it.
3. The original name for the record was going to be 'Primordial Soup', what led to the change in title?
Alex: I can’t remember exactly. ‘Primordial Soup’ was from my days as a biology undergraduate. Like the thick broth that was the cradle of all life on Earth, this album was the crucible of the band.
Ben: Alex has a clear obsession with food related titles.
4. There are a lot of chemical substances being passed around in 'Expressing', what inspired that track?
Alex: Lyrically, it was inspired from the comedian Sarah Pascoe’s book “Animal” about the female body. The focus of one chapter was to deconstruct love into biology and chemicals. So many pop songs are about romance so I thought it would be interesting to (finally) put my scientific training to use as a songwriter.
5. 'Pick Off The Pieces' is about Alex's hatred for Hawaiian pizza. Where does everyone stand on the pineapple on pizza debate? This is very important.
Jonny: Go on, spoil me.
Ben: Big fan. Add some fresh green chilli and you’ve made it the best pizza on earth.
Dan: Can take it or leave it. BBQ base adds an extra dimension.
Louise: Hawaiian pizza is my mum's favourite so it would be the family choice when I was a child. I had to be in the right mood for the pineapple though so if I’m honest, on occasion I did ‘pick off the pieces’.
6. And if the band made a song about everybody's culinary pet hates, what would be everyone's choices and why?
Ben: You know on a lovely warm summer’s day when all you want to do is eat supermarket antipasti and drink beer in the park? How annoying is it when you open your tub of cream cheese stuffed peppers only to find that they’re stuffed instead with goat’s cheese, the cheese of death? Day ruined.
Dan: Tomatoes. Squishy and horrible, explode in your mouth. Doesn’t belong in any sandwich.
Jonny: You know that ‘dim sum’ restaurant chain Ping Pong? Yeah, that.
Louise: Sneaky coriander. Why does it taste like soap?
7. In your quest to find the best soup on your social media pages, Phở came out on top. Are we happy with this result? What did you hope would do better?
Alex: I didn’t have strong feelings about a winner from the start. However I was shocked Tomato wasn’t on the podium and that Ramen was bested by Phở in the final.
Ben: I was rooting for Phở from the start. A few other favourites were eliminated along the way but I was more than happy with the result.
Dan: Being Jewish I’m always rooting for a classic Chicken Noodle Soup…
Louise: I’m with Ben on this one, Phở was a clear winner for me.
8. You've represented the entire album in one video or another, except for 'Turn You On'. Can fans expect to see something visually for this track?
Alex: We plan to, given that video content is a large way music is consumed. We didn’t capture any studio footage for that tune, so we need to produce something from scratch. We’ll see what we can come up with.
9. You recorded a live set earlier this year for Soulful Spring, what was that experience like?
Alex: A lot of fun and a lot of work. We hadn’t been in the same room together since a (disappointing) gig in October 2020. So it was exciting. But also a weird experience for me as it was at the end of the winter COVID restrictions in the UK. I was pleased with the results, especially the amazing videography done by Liv and Rory. I’d really love to develop our live performance - I think we’ve got a lot of potential to uncover.
Ben: It was a crazy day. After setting everything up, mics and all, we found a firmware issue with the mixing desk we were using, and to fix it we had to have a very particular hard drive. Three of us drove around North London for two hours to find other solutions, only to discover upon our return that Alex had one of the compatible drives in his bag at the studio. We sorted it in 15 minutes and managed to finish recording with just enough time to pack everything down.
Dan: As always ends up happening on these days, you spend less time playing music and more time getting things ready! But the music making is always so easy with these guys, so once we got to playing we had no problems at all!
Jonny: Ben Swan is a hero.
Louise: Performing a full on gig to zero audience but lots of cameras isn’t something I think I’ll get used to anytime soon ha! It was a fun day gigging with everyone again and getting that Crouton Cannon buzz again but it did make me appreciate the energy an audience gives you in the room. Love being part of the lonely town festivals though, what a fantastic community.
10. It's been almost a year since Moths and Giraffes wrote about your single 'Share', what's been everyone's musical activities in 2021 so far?
Alex: We performed at the London Landmarks Half Marathon in the summer as a four-piece. It was a fun crowd and a nice experiment in adapting our sound, with more focus on the vocal harmonies than in our five-piece setup. Other than Crouton Cannon, as things have opened up I’ve been performing at a few wedding and party gigs with other bands or as a solo guitarist. If anything I haven’t missed it! I always love performing, especially in an ensemble, but the last year has made me think about my priorities. I’d rather spend more time with my family, working on original music that scratches that creative itch and going out with whatever time’s left!
Ben: When venues opened up again in April this year, my friend Benji (Steam Down) and I started running a weekly jazz and groove jam in Deptford called The Fold. It started in the park last year when musicians weren’t able to play together and has turned into a real community since then. Every week we get some of the best young jazz musicians in London jamming totally improvised music all evening.
Dan: Trying to co-ordinate 5 humans to meet in the same room is always a tricky task, especially when these musicians are so busy! I’m probably the most difficult though, because I work abroad on Cruise Ships. It’s always so great when we can get together as a band, and if we can perform together, even better!
Jonny: Been going to a ton of gigs and playing a couple gigs as a sideman for artists bexx and Leo Kelly-Gee, as well as a few function gigs! Live music is great.
Louise: Ahh 2021 the year of the re-opening! Other than CC, I have a 90/00s cover band called Lou & The Lock-ins, we have been adding to our set over the lockdown and finally got to perform to an audience again. The glittery dress had to come out for that. I also host a live band karaoke event in South London (LBKPeckham). This means I support the singers who come up on stage to follow the song and I’ll harmonise along with you. It’s been a very busy autumn with them but the audiences are always incredibly supportive of everyone on stage and I love giving people the opportunity to sing with a band when they otherwise wouldn’t get the chance. It gives me a warm glow.
11. Artists are playing gigs and even heading out on tour again now, are there some live dates in the calendar for Crouton Cannon?
Alex: Nothing definite yet. The gigs we have done together and separately on the circuit have made us really dislike the typical London promoter gig: a line-up that doesn’t make sense, playing for the friends of the other artists (if you’re lucky). We want future gigs to be a musically enriching experience for us and the audience. There’s been talk in the band about trying to cultivate a funk/soul pop scene in London with a regular night and a rotating roster of bands in a similar vein to Crouton Cannon. Watch this space!
12. You've been steadily releasing the music from 'Soup Sessions' since the end of 2019, have you been busy writing new material since then?
Alex: I started work on new Crouton Cannon tunes after we finished recording ‘Soup Sessions’ in 2019 and we’ve just laid down the foundations for some of them in the same recording studio. I’m extremely excited to finish them - we’ve approached this project with so much more maturity as writers, arrangers and session musicians. And as a band with a greater awareness of “our sound”. Whereas I took the lead with “Soup Sessions”, these new tunes have had more collective input, which will run through to the finished record.
Ben: I love these new songs. The same magic that sparked in the studio for Soup Sessions was conjured up this time, but with more confidence in ourselves and each other. I can’t wait to develop them further!
Jonny: Yep, so excited for the next crop of songs that we’re recording. It’s been so interesting making music now knowing what we actually sound like, and further developing our style as well. Up the Cannon!
Louise: It was wonderful getting back into the studio with these legends again. It felt different though, we’re all more confident in what our strengths are, we know what sound we want more of in this and we’re comfortable enough to experiment more. I can’t wait to hear how they develop. Eeeekkk new music!
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To download and stream Crouton Cannon’s ‘Soup Sessions’ and ‘Lockdown Sessions’ releases, visit their Bandcamp page.
For more information about Crouton Cannon including news of upcoming gig dates and their merchandise store, visit their official website.
Follow Crouton Cannon on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @croutoncannon.
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