Coach Bombay aka Terry Mann has released his latest music video from his Sunshine album, featuring Betacam footage of himself at age 4 striking poses with a toy guitar. Tomatrax caught up with the coach to talk about his music.
Where did the name Coach Bombay come from?
The inspiration Ice-Hockey coach from The Mighty Ducks films, played by Emilio Estevez
What made you decide to use an alias rather than your name?
Probably so that the project could expand and contract at will to be a solo thing, a band, whatever.
What made you pick ‘Strange’ as he latest single from your album?
The last few singles and videos I’ve put out have been from the cheesier pop side of the new album. There are plenty of songs on the album that are far from this, and Strange was one that was several close friends and industry types flagged as a favorite.
What made you decide to use footage from when you were 4 in your video clip?
The song speaks to individualism and one’s inherent nature. A lot of this comes from family, so it seemed like the right time to dig up this old footage and match it to the song.
Did you have any idea when performing in that video that you’d one day become a musician?
I can’t remember that far back, but until the age of 13 I only ever wanted to be an obsessive music listener, not a player or creator. That all changed in a huge way though in my teen years.
In the video you were originally playing along to a prog-rock jam by Mountain, are there any plans on doing a Mountain cover?
My dad would certainly be keen on that, so you never know. But I’ve already been working on a few covers recently that I’m yet to release, so it will have to get in line.
Your latest album covers various styles, do you have an idea of what you want your songs to sound like when you start writing them?
It varies. Usually I have a whole range of things built up in the back of my mind that I want to explore, whether they be grooves, progressions, feelings, production styles etc. But I never know exactly where it’s heading until something clicks and I’m on a roll.
You started out as a solo performer before transforming Coach Bombay into a 5 piece, how does having a band compare to performing on your own?
It brings a whole new life to it. Live drums and bass create a whole new feel, adding guitar where there was none for texture, and having female vocals together with my voice rather than more of me. And it’s fun!
What’s it like having your music played in H&M stores?
I’ve never been in to an H&M store, but via YouTube and Soundcloud comments, I found out that Cool Thing was being played in dozens of different countries in H&M as well as several other big retailers. I guess the song makes people feel good and want to buy clothes.
Do you ever listen to your own music?
All the time when I’m working on an album. Fresh-ears listens after a few days or weeks are really important, and seeing how a bunch of songs are fitting together or flowing. It also influences what kind of songs I’ll write for the rest of an album/EP to make it whole. Then I’ll have occasional reminiscing listens to old albums across all the various projects I’ve worked on. Brings back memories of the time.
What other music do you listen to?
All sorts. Over the years I’ve had huge phases namely in 60s/70s folk and prog/psychedelic, disco, 90s bands and metal. In the past 10 years I’ve focussed a lot on local music too. But well-written POP is always sprinkled throughout. Any era, any style.
What do you have planned for the rest of 2015?
I have a few more videos to release for Coach Bombay as well as a very left-of-field cover. But I’m also focusing on two side-projects with different vocalists that have been in the works for the last 2 years. Really excited about them. But are quite different to Coach Bombay.
Check out Coach Bombay’s website to find out more!