It's Unsigned band The Good Water – where talent runs deep

Tom Fisher and Rob Clements are already veterans of the Birmingham music scene, despite both being in their very early 30s.

Having gigged with numerous bands throughout their late teens and into their 20s, they decided to try jamming together.

And after hitting it off immediately they are now ploughing on into their second year with their new band, having gained critical acclaim from some of the best known names in the business along the way.

“We both started in different bands, gigging around Birmingham, but we became bored and started getting into Prog Rock, experimental music and psychedelia,” says Tom.

“We formed Scrambled Man at first but we lost our bass player and eventually became The Good Water two years ago.

“We always worked well together when it came to writing music and had similar interests, as well as the same work ethic.

“But we also had different musical influences, which sometimes crossed over. A lot of the time we would be hearing new stuff from each other for the first time.

“Combining our musical backgrounds and tastes inspired what we would class as our own sound.

“What started as an appreciation of each other’s music grew into The Good Water.”

Psychedelic-Pop is how the band describes their sound, which has been highly praised by the likes of BBC Radio 6’s Steve Lamacq, who made the band’s See Your Light a BBC 6 Music Recommends track.

Tom, 31, who lives in Yardley Wood and Rob, 32, from Redditch, admitted getting national recognition for all their efforts was rewarding, especially with all the work they put in behind the scenes while holding down full-time jobs.

“It was nice to get the recognition of Steve Lamacq having played together for such a long time,” says Rob.

“You’re always just plodding along but when you realise other people actually like your music, you think ‘I must be doing something right’.”

Both are music teachers, with Tom a lecturer at a music college, while Rob teaches guitar in schools, as well as giving private tuition.

Music is always on the agenda and it is that mindset that has enabled The Good Water – who in recent weeks have also added organist Stuart Webb, 31, from Great Barr, to the band – to continue to push the boundaries of music.

“We have been able to refine our craft over many years of studying, working, teaching and, most importantly, playing in the industry – but of course you never stop learning and improving,” says drummer and percussionist Tom, who also delivers backing vocals.

“It’s very hard working full-time and pursuing your dream, with late night rehearsals, recordings, gigs and everything else that goes with it.

“But it’s our passion and if that’s the case you do it even if you go without money. We want to do everything professionally, however, so it takes that bit longer.”

Lead singer and guitarist Rob adds: “The whole idea of Scrambled Man was anything goes.

“The first rehearsal we all just brought every musical instrument we had and started playing everything.

“The chemistry was great, which was really important, especially when we became a two-piece band.

“A lot of people who reach their 30s stop but we just love it too much and are always hopefully of taking the next big step.

“It’s tough though. The other night I’d just finished a full day at work but drove in traffic for an hour-and-a-half for a two-hour rehearsal – but we do it because we love it. What’s the alternative? Sitting at home watching X Factor? That’s never going to happen.”

The Good Water pride themselves on being open to new sounds and styles of music, which can be heard.

Whether its 1960s rock, pop music or Northern Soul, it has all been amalgamated into the band’s sound.

Tom says: “We were both heavily into The Mars Volta and one of my biggest influences has always been Can, especially the drummer Jaki Liebezeit, who sadly died in January.

“We also love the German band ‘Neu!’. Tim Felton, who was in Birmingham band Broadcast, has also been a big influence and has produced some of our singles.

“We take all that creativity and turn it into a more digestible, bite-sized song.

“We also incorporate indie rock and traditional rhythm and blues. It’s a real mixture.

“Rob’s influences include mainstream Brit Pop and Indie music, and I’ve always liked pop and dance music, but we think anyone can appreciate any song if you listen hard enough.

“It could be the beat, melody, chords, words – there’s something in every song you can appreciate.”

The Good Water has already released singles Mansaid and See Your Light, which were both recorded and produced by Felton. A fourth single is due for release in February.

“I was into by a lot of 1960s stuff, like The Kinks, but also Northern Soul – See Your Light is heavily influenced by that style, you can hear it straight away,” adds Rob.

Next up is a headline set the Gunmakers Arms, in Birmingham, on Sunday, at 7.30pm, which forms part of the Birmingham Weekender festival.

“We’ve never played the Gunmakers before. It’s really tucked away and is a proper old Birmingham pub and, if the weather’s nice, we’re hoping to set up outside so it should be a good night,” says Rob.

For further details about the band and their next gigs, go to thegoodwater.co.uk or search for them on Facebook.