Each month, we invite local artists to Greeny’s rehearsal space to lay down a stripped-back live session. One take. No do-overs. This month features the genre-hopping, soul-soaked sounds of Goldivox – a Sheffield outfit blending jazz, funk and vintage grooves with a modern flair.
As it happens, this session was a little different behind the scenes. Owing to a childcare mix-up, the interview featured an unexpected guest appearance from my daughter Annie, who had no intention of sitting quietly on the sidelines. Fortunately, Joe Newman (keys) and Lindy Surtees (vocals) were generous with their time and took the extra questions in stride – including a deep-dive into everyone’s favourite dinosaur. (Joe’s apologetic offer of “T-Rex” was met with disdain at its basicness, while Lindy’s “Triceratops” proved a more popular choice before things spiralled into mythology.)
Despite the slightly chaotic set-up, the pair spoke in depth about the band’s formation, collaborative style and upcoming releases – all with the same laidback charisma they bring to the stage.
Goldivox’s Red Light Session featured two tracks – a cover of Joe Cocker’s ‘The Letter’ and original tune ‘Rescue Me’. The session saw them link up with Greeny on drums. “He’s quite a rocky drummer, really,” Joe explained. “Our parts are probably a bit lighter.” Despite the stylistic shift, it clicked. “The recording came out really well,” he said. “We chose two tunes we thought might suit, and it did.”
The band’s sound is hard to pin down in one genre, and that’s by design. “There’s bits of funk, bits of jazz, bits of disco, bits of all kinds of persuasions,” Lindy said. “But I think that’s because of where we both come from. We’ve had lots of different disciplines.”
Joe, who’s been involved in the Sheffield music scene for over 20 years, cut his teeth in a number of projects and spent time working at local institution Rich Tone Music. He’s previously recorded with Reverend and the Makers and has always leaned towards vintage, cinematic sounds. “I was making these kind of loungy instrumentals,” he said. “Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ – quite blaxploitation. I wanted to make music that sounded like it was from the early ’70s.”
Lindy’s background is equally eclectic. “I’ve been in all sorts,” she said. “I started off doing folk gigs on my own with a guitar, then moved into hip-hop and funk bands, always really into improvisation. That’s my thing.”
The pair met while backing another artist, Ash Gray, and found an instant connection during a soundcheck. “As she started singing, I thought, I need to get in on this… I went over on keyboard, started playing this bluesy thing. These young girls who were waiting for the gig just started walking toward the stage with their mouths open. That’s when I thought: there’s something here.”
From there, the project grew organically. “A lot of the lyrics come in the moment,” Lindy explained. “Often the first things I come out with are what sticks.” The studio project gradually turned into a full band as they recruited players and started gigging. “I was layering it up so it could be played live,” said Joe. “It weren’t too complicated, not too many layers.”
They’ve since built a well-drilled live outfit and recently adapted their set for a more upbeat, festival-friendly vibe. “We’ve got loads of downbeat kind of ballads at 60 BPM that feel like we should be playing in a cocktail bar,” Joe said. “So we’ve built a party set too.” That includes a cover of ‘I Feel Love’ by Donna Summer, which has fast become a crowd-pleaser. “We’ve played it twice now,” he said. “Both times we’ve ended up doing it again for an encore. Just give ’em what they want.”
With a growing rep on the local live circuit, Goldivox are gearing up for a busy autumn, including a slot at Castlegate Festival on 20 September. The big news, though, is their debut album, which is due in October. “It’s been mostly recorded now,” said Joe. “We’ve just got the finishing touches to go.”
Whether it’s adapting a set for a festival crowd or fielding a serious dinosaur debate from a nine-year-old, Joe and Lindy meet each curveball with ease. Goldivox thrive in the moment – and their Red Light Session is a perfect showcase of that.
Watch the full session now over on the Exposed Instagram channel (@expmagsheff).
