“Be Yourself And Don’t Take Life Too Seriously”, A Message For All As We Chat With BILK’s Sol Abrams

As a band known for its down-to-earth nature and rock and roll lifestyle, chatting with BILK’s Sol Abrams brings to life the true nature of its music.

When asked about what the essence of the band is, Abrams makes it clear that being real and raw with their fans is a top priority. He realises that “it’s hard to pin down a clear message when there’s a lot of versatility in the music” with each song having its own story and mood, but “a broad message of BILK is about being yourself and not caring what people think too much, being liberated and feeling free to do what you wanna do and be who you wanna be. It’s about being free, and rock and roll.” He urges their listeners to say what’s on their minds, and not to shy away from who they truly are; certainly learning about himself has had a hugely positive impact on his music. 

The journey has not been all that smooth for the band in coming to the place they are at now, but the reward of doing what they love every day comes second to none. Abrams talks about just how much the boys love working together, and how “it’s a graft, but I love it, I love how unconventional and up and down the lifestyle is and I’ve always wanted to do something a bit different.” Despite hardships with production processes over the years, he says “it’s well worth it, its best fucking job in the whole world”, a passion that is so evident and central in their music. 

Abrams discusses how he feels about reflecting on life, saying “I like living in the moment and looking forward to the future, I don’t really like to live in the past too much.” What’s important to the band is just that, living life as it comes and looking forward to what is next in store, something that comes through in their music. As the band’s songwriter, Abrams says his songs “have always come from a place of reality”, and their clear messages of liberation and appreciation for life as it happens, and the cool people you meet, really stand out from so many other artists today. 

Even on this new album, Abrams reveals there are no explicit favourites or standouts, but his pride and passion for each one comes with its own reason. He tells us “I like them all the same, they all mean something to me” and expresses how the variety of the music, as always but especially on this new album, makes it “a lot more accessible than our earlier stuff”; they can cater for a wider audience, but in such a way that by no means takes from their own vibe, their own style and image, but simply allows them to grow and develop constantly. In a truly remarkable way, they capture personal experiences and bring them to resonate with so many other people, bringing the chaos and rock and roll on top of their raw talent. 

The band’s upcoming tour is an incredibly exciting leg on their journey to success, and something in life they are certainly looking forward to. When asked about what they hope for the experience to bring, Abrams says there’s no particular show they look forward to the most- “I’m looking forward to all of it, as long as I’m up on stage with my Les Paul having it, then I don’t really care”.

He realises that performing for a crowd is just that, performing. He says “I like slow soft music just as much as I like loudenergetic music, but I don’t understand how anyone would want to play a show that’s like a picnic”; a true rock and roll star who knows his fans, knows his shows and knows his bandmates better than anything. 

The versatility of the crowds they play for too always has an impact on the shows themselves, whether it’s a festival or a BILK gig their love for live performance is incredible. Abrams recounts these BILK gigs as being “like a zoo every time, it’s chaos whatever city we go” as they bring power and passion to so many fans around the country. Even as they branch out into the European music scene, he says “We tear up every venue that we come across, and that’s our sort of vibe”, and it’s the vibe that every single track has and holds onto, and one that their whole image revolves around. One that they are so confident and comfortable in that their fans bring it with them too, leaving the walls of every venue with enough memories of rock and roll to last a lifetime. 

With their longest setlist yet ready to go, band rehearsals in full swing and excitement bubbling up for them and their fans alike, BILK’s upcoming tour is not one to miss. Gaining new fans with every release, and tickets going fast, the guys are on a firm route to success, maintaining the image, lifestyle and career they so passionately adore. 

Abby Tapping 

@abs.tapp75

Image: Marie Lehman

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