Introducing Interview: Coltana

With a recent name change, Brixton-based band Coltana have previously been featured in the likes of The Independent and Metro, and have played at Glastonbury Festival not once, but twice! Now, with a brand new single due, they look set to continue their success.

‘Break Her’ is a gritty, highly infectious slice of punk rock. Oozing the riotous, raw vocals of Catherine Martindale, the track is propelled by racing riffs, interweaving hooks and a ferocious energy.

We caught up with Coltana to find out more…

Welcome to Gigslutz! Can you please introduce yourself?
Hi, my name is Gordon and I am the bassist for Coltana.

Can you tell us a bit more about Coltana and the reason behind the name?
The band was previously know as Poeticat, mixing acoustic guitars with spoken word poetry. As they went on throughout the years, they got heavier, bringing in electric guitars and drums, and changing the name to Coltana. The name was changed to fit with the new musical direction. I only joined the band in August of last year, but I don’t think Coltana has any specific meaning behind the name – I think our music gives the name meaning. Most bands tend to pick a name because it just sounds good, and it loses whatever meaning you might have associated it with before. The music should give a band name meaning.

What’s the story behind your latest single ‘Break Her’?
I like to leave a song up to interpretation by the listener. If it connects with you in a certain way that we may not have intended, then that can be as good as the original meaning. I’m sure Cat would have a different answer for this question but I like to keep things open ended.

Is there an album in the works or any more singles on the horizon?
We are currently writing new music, so a new album will come, when that will be is unknown though. Our current aim is to gig as much as possible and create as many contacts as we can.

If you had to compare yourselves to any other artists out there right now, who would they be and why?
I’m not sure, I don’t really listen to a lot of new rock bands. Slaves possibly. Yeah, I’ll go with Slaves, they’re good!

What is the next step for Coltana?
We are just gigging as much as we can, writing new songs and sorting out some tours which should be happening soon.

Who are three of your most influential artists?
That would change for each person in the band you ask. I love all sorts of music, I can pick a top two, which is definitely Metallica and Rage Against the Machine. For a third, maybe At The Drive-In, or Mars Volta – anything with Cedric and/or Omar works for me!

How would you describe your sound in 3 words?
Heavy, Groovy, Energetic.

Ozzy or Robert Plant?
Robert Plant. I do love Black Sabbath’s first album, but Led Zeppelin IV is pretty much perfect for me.

‘Break Her’, the new single from Coltana, is out 19 May via Poeticat Presents.