SINCE the age of ten Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian decided that playing in a band was what they wanted to do.

Throughout their lives they have loved performing and little did they know, their primary school dream would lead them to Glastonbury, sell-out London shows and even performances in Australia and America.

Turin Brakes are heading to Shiiine On Weekender at Butlin’s in Minehead this November.

We spoke to Olly Knights, lead singer of Turin Brakes, to find out all about how his childhood dream turned into a reality.

Olly said: “Both me and Gale came from musical families – we always had instruments in the house, so there was always something you could pick up and play. So, it only seemed natural to carry this on.

“Our parents had a good taste in music and I discovered vinyl when I was younger with some incredible artists such as Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell and it was a combination of these that got me interested in music.

“Radiohead was pretty much the soundtrack to our life at college. They were a great band to inspire you from a young age and they were always pushing for the best.”

Both Gale and Olly learnt to play instruments as kids such as the piano and guitar. They loved music from a young age and so, it is unsurprising that they decided that music was the way forward.

Olly added: “When both Gale and I were ten years old, at primary school, we pretty much decided that making music was what we wanted to do – rather than getting a normal job of course. We kept the dream alive through college and at 21 we released an EP. We have been doing this ever since.

“I definitely still enjoy it. You have good days and bad days in any job. I am completely aware of what a lovely job I have. Take this afternoon, I had an idea for a song and Gale came around to try it out with me.

“It is like being a magician, instead of pulling rabbits out of a hat, you are finding songs.”

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Now, Olly admits that the style of Turin Brakes has changed because they have become different people as they have grown older. Yet Olly doesn’t think the whole style and aim of Turin Brakes will ever change.

He explained: “We try to maintain the language of Turin Brakes. We invented what I would call a language, and we still try and talk in that language. It is almost being slightly psychic, we have a certain set of tastes and we know when something is right and when something is wrong.

“This language can be hard for people on the outside to understand. Now we work well with Rob Allum and Eddie Myer and they understand what we’re thinking too.

“We like it when music sounds bigger than its elements, so it is not too over the top and has a human, stripped back quality. We try to say everything we want to with as little technical and musical elements as possible.

“We would use just a couple of guitars and a drum beat. Getting our point across in this way is a victory for us. It is too easy to over-layer music, it is fun to try and slow it down when music today is so busy.”

Veering into different styles is what Turin Brakes is all about and Olly admitted that their music has elements of folk, rock, soul and even occasionally pop, as they love including hooks and choruses for people to sing along to.

Olly’s current favourite song is the single Lost in the Woods, because it is a good example of their current type of music. The song is a classic Fleetwood Mac style but mixed with modern 21st Century elements.

The band have performed in so many incredible and varied venues, from America and Australia to people’s living rooms.

Olly said: “We have performed in some great places. We performed on the main stage in Glastonbury and had two sold out nights at 02 Academy Brixton. We have had some incredible festival moments.

“We did once play the London Eye. It was at an event where every pod had a different musical act. We were playing while the sun was setting over London – this was amazing.”

Now, the band are set to play at Shiiine On Weekender from November 15 until 17 at Butlins in Minehead. Olly is looking forward to the performance and can’t wait to be in Somerset.

He explained: “This is one of the festivals that watching the build-up is just so exciting. People seem to really love it. It has a strong and passionate following which makes us really excited about it.

“We definitely have performed in Somerset, but to be honest – most of the time my life is a complete blur. It is a great part of the country though.

“I never expected to be successful. When we were younger we didn’t think about audiences, we were amazed when there was an audience, it was a huge surprise from our own private world we’d been playing in. I am still so grateful.”

To see Turin Brakes, visit www.shiiineon.com