Ahead of their appearance at G Live, vocal harmony group The Overtones talk satsumas, singsongs and a serious shortage of snow
It may sound suspiciously like the plot of a Hollywood musical, but The Overtones found fame after being spotted (or rather heard) on Oxford Street by a passing record company executive. Legend has it that the former painters were singing while they worked, when an A&R man just happened to be struck by their harmonious tones.
Since then the band – Lachie Chapman, Darren Everest, Timmy Matley, Mark Franks and Mike Crawshaw – have performed all over the world and recorded no fewer than five Top 5 albums.
Now the lads are inviting you to spend Christmas with the Overtones, as they infuse some festive favourites with their unique blend of jazz, doo-wop, R&B and Motown. Showtime caught up with Mark and Lachie ahead of their Guildford Christmas musical feast...
- What’s your idea of a perfect Christmas?
Mark: I think, for The Overtones, this year the idea of a perfect Christmas is probably a nice lie in! The tour goes right up until December 23, so I have a feeling we’ll all be quite knackered, albeit happily so.
Lachie: Personally, being Australian, I would love to have a really snow-filled white Christmas. In the 11 years that I’ve lived in London, I’ve not had a single one yet, so I have my fingers crossed once again.
- Best/worst Christmas present?
Lachie: The one that really knocked my socks off was back in Sydney when I was about 11. I grew up near Sydney Harbour and I had a rickety old rowboat full of holes. On Christmas Day, my dad gave me a small motor to attach to the back and I was so made up. It only went about 2 mph but I felt like an F1 driver.
As for the worst, Australians don’t have that tradition of giving satsumas at Christmas, so when someone first put one in my stocking, I thought my mates were being really tight.
- What can we expect from the gig?
Mark: Last year was such a hoot that we decided to do it all over again. Part of the show will be very traditional and Christmassy – there is such a lovely sentimental feeling for those classic Christmas songs. But then we’ll balance that with kicking it up a couple of gears and getting everyone up on their feet. It’ll be the end of the year, and everyone is working hard, so we’re looking forward to giving people a great party.
- What plans do you have for 2017?
Mark After a busy, fun-filled year on the road we’re looking forward to getting back into the studio to write and record early next year. Mind you, we’ll soon be back out on tour for another good ol’-fashioned singalong.
The Overtones will be at G Live on 19 December. For more details and tickets visit: glive.co.uk
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