An Interview With The Electro-R&B-Rock Duo, COLOURS On Their Debut Album, “Ivory” and Much More!

The groundwork for electro-R&B rock band COLOURS was laid when vocalist Kyle Tamo relocated from Connecticut to Florida to focus on his music. He was introduced to drummer Morgan Alley through mutual connections in the Florida music scene, and the two went on to settle in Sarasota to embark on creating a new sound that was a musical departure from any of their previous rock projects.

Thanks so much for your time today! How’s 2016 been treating you guys? What were some of the highlights of 2015 for you and your music?

2016 has been a great year so far, with the release of our debut album IVORY earlier this year, it’s sure to only get more exciting. The highlights of 2015 was the work and anticipation of the release. It was an arduous year, but in the best of ways.

How did you two first meet? Can you remember the moment when you decided that you could play music together professionally? Why do you think you both work so well together? How did you come up with your band name? What other names were you considering? 

Morgan and I first meet years ago when we played together in a prior musical group. We found our major common trait was our drive for music and art. We shared a deep goal of making music our life and it was evident that we would always work together. Even after past projects disbanded, we kept in communication about future projects. This was the genesis of Colours. The name was solidified when we wanted a title that was timeless, iconic and simple…something that could resonate. We took the simplicity of the word and formatted it into a reoccurring layout that offers something memorable.

What do you think are the advantages of being in a duo and not having a bunch of other members in the band?

Being a duo is remarkably advantageous for us. With two creative minds instead of 4 or 5, we can sacrifice less creatively and see visions come to life in full as opposed to diluted ideas often due to compromises. It certainly can increase pressure and workload, but when you’re as passionate as Morgan and I, those are welcomed side effects.

So, how were your run of tour dates with Robert DeLong? Did you get to spend much time with him on the road?

The tour with Robert DeLong was lovely. We really hope to see him and play with him again in the future. Aside from remarkably talented and driven, Robert was an incredibly kind and down to earth artist. Were thankful to of been affiliated with someone so impressive and welcoming. He had his birthday on the tour and we all celebrated and had a wonderful time eating and watching The Italian Job.

You don’t have too long of a break and then you’ll be back at it in May with Andy Black. Are you excited for that tour? What do you think is the best and most challenging part about touring?

The Andy Black Homecoming Tour is sure to be an absolute pleasure. We’ve heard nothing but great things about Andy and with the abundance of dates throughout the country we are thrilled to be able to bring Colours to current and new fans. Touring is often the most enjoyable part of making music. We work tirelessly on our art for people, so when given opportunity to travel the world and present it to them, its humbling,exhilarating, and motivating.

Let’s talk about your first full-length album, “Ivory.” What was it like recording it? Why do you think Victory Records is the right place for you and your music today? Why do you think your producer, Shaun Lopez fit this album so well? 

Recording IVORY was a great experience. Working with Shaun Lopez offered a synergy that would of been hard to find in other producers. From the beginning, he understood the vision and mood evoking emotion in Colours and that’s imperative when working with a producer/engineer. Victory Records also has been a part of this synergy from the beginning. They see the passion and power of Colours and have offered such invaluable contribution to Colours exposure.

One reviewer has described your sound as “howling electro-R&B beats”. I find that description incredibly unique and original. Was that always your intent with your newest album?

I think the moment you’re intentionally trying to be unique is the moment you fail at it. Morgan and I wanted to be calculated when it came to conceptualizing songs and the album, but writing often was organic and became an accurate representation of our creative influences. When we’re described as “electronic R&B” or “Dark Pop” it’s often surprising and flattering for us. We’re thankful to of created something nostalgic but also unique.

You’ve said in a previous interview that “there is a purposeful vagueness to most of (your) lyrics, preserving the attractiveness of personal interpretation”. Why do you think that’s how you write? Is there anything that you still hope listeners take away from your music?

We write our music for listeners not ourselves. I write from experience in order to provide sincerity but I intentionally don’t disclose too much to keep the song relatable. When you can’t find yourself in art you’re viewing or listening to, you’re just experiencing the grandeur of the artist. I hope listeners find their story in the ambiguity of mine.

Once your tour is over in July, will it finally be time to relax and take some time off or will you get back to writing new songs? 

When tour is over we will continue to write and offer the next representation of Colours. Plans to release our second music video are scheduled shortly after tour, so we are thrilled to work on that. We rested and relaxed for far too long before Colours, so we aren’t looking for any downtime from it.

Thank you so much for the questions and opportunity for us to bring Colours a little closer to people!

-Kyle Tamo (Colours Vocalist)