For those people who haven’t heard of Who Ate All The Crayons could you tell us a bit about the band and your story?
Who Ate All The Crayons is a 4 piece indie rock band from Berkshire. Our lineup includes me as the lead vocalist (Harry Stradling), with Lee Smith on percussion, George Jackson on lead guitar, and Luke Newman on bass. We focus on embracing simple yet resonant themes, infusing our sound with infectious hooks and anthemic performances. Instead of intricate musical masterpieces, we aim to create an emotional connection with our audience, drawing from our drama roots. I started playing at The University of Plymouth, where I met Lee and we discovered our spontaneous style through jam sessions. Songs like “5 Seconds” and “Alive” took shape, reflecting our raw sound.
As university life drew to a close, I returned to my hometown of Newbury, where I met George Jackson, a great all-round musician, and Luke Newman, a talented bassist, meeting over drinks at Newbury’s live mic circuit. This completed the lineup, solidifying the collective vision and ambition of Who Ate All The Crayons.
Who inspired you to get on stage and perform?
I remember attending a Twenty One Pilots concert at Portsmouth Guildhall when I was 16, which was mind-blowing. Their expressive show left a lasting impression, combining their energy with emotionally charged songs, they resonated deeply with me. Heading home buzzing with excitement, I reflected on the incredible impact of their performance, just the way they commanded the stage and received a great response from the audience. It made me appreciate the music more and the connection between performers and fans.
Are there any artists/albums that inspired your sound and stuck with you?
As a child, music didn’t capture my interest. But one day, I bought the Mumford and Sons’ album “Babel” on iTunes. I played it on repeat during family car journeys, and now I see how it shaped my musical influences. I think the uniqueness of Marcus Mumford’s vocals really resonated with me, as he talks nothing like he sings. It’s fascinating how an insignificant decision can have a lasting impact, and I draw influence for my own vocals from that contrast.
Could you tell us a bit about the writing/recording of the Syncr Music Competition winning competition track “Alive”?
During my third year at uni, I needed a break from academic stress. So I went on a trip to Falmouth with Lee, having no idea it would become a turning point in our musical journey. It was just what we needed, and we committed to pursuing music and releasing what we had written so far.
Back in Plymouth, we found a local studio to start recording. We explored our sound and, in a moment of spontaneity, “Alive” was born. We got it in one take to preserve how raw it is. Since then, the track hasn’t really changed that much at all!
What have been some of your favourite places to perform?
We’ve been fortunate enough to perform at various local venues in Berkshire, but our favourite so far has to be Purple Turtle in Reading. It was a huge milestone for us because it was our first showcase with BBC Introducing in Berkshire, and we were really grateful to be so well received. The crowd was phenomenal, and we were just glad they wanted to hear a band so new to the scene! The whole night was such a success for Alex West who puts these shows on – he’s doing a lot for local artists right now!
What has been your best experience as a band?
To be honest, that BBC Introducing showcase was a big moment for us as a band. We put a lot into preparing for it – we basically didn’t stop for 2 months straight.
Leading up to that show, we did 8 shows in 2 months. I think it definitely pushed us to improve our live set really quickly and to improve our chemistry together as a group of individuals.
Finally getting to show off our hard work on that night was such a good feeling. We really put everything into that performance.
Do you have any plans for an EP or an album?
Exciting news, actually! New music is on the way. It’s something that we’re really proud of and we hope you’ll love it as much as we do. Watch this space!
Here at Artistic Echoes, we are always on the lookout for new artists do you have any to recommend?
We played with 2 other acts at the BBC Introducing gig, who we honestly think the world of.
Split The Dealer have some really explosive stuff out and recently got signed! Sam (the lead singer) has been a real champion and friend of ours and he is super talented! “Chinchilla” is our favourite track of his.
We also had the privilege of supporting Deva St John. She’s so unapologetic in the themes of her songs, sometimes politically driven and other times looking inwards at her own self. Her recent EP “Nauseous As Nauseam” really draws you in as a listener.
What plans do you have for the rest of the year?
Well, we have a small stint of shows lined up for summer! Some at festivals, others at local venues. We’ll be posting updates on our website whoateallthecrayons.com and on social media platforms, so give us a follow! We appreciate your support and can’t wait to see you at these upcoming shows. It’s going to be a good summer!
Find out more:
