Monday 30 April 2012

SHOUT TIMBER! Interview


Secret Admirer caught up with the dashing gentlemen of Shout Timber




Disclaimer: After reading this interview, you may experience the desire to shout 'timber' in a really motivational way at random passers-by.

Band Identification System
Alex: Lead vocals and guitar
TJ: Lead guitar and backing vocal
Sam: Bass and backing vocal
Will: Drums


What's the idea behind the name Shout Timber?

There's this Audrey Hepburn line where she shouts "Timber!" during the classic party scene in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, and since we're influenced a lot by old films and post-war era books and stuff it seemed fitting to link our name to something like that. It turned out to be a good decision. It's memorable and because it's sort of a catch-phrase, it gives our fans an identity (they like to literally shout "Timber" at our gigs). And in that way it also represents who we are - "Timber" has kind of become our war cry against all the rubbish in life. It's easy to be bogged down in all the bad stuff that happens, but shouting "Timber" has become our way of standing up against that - being positive and having fun playing music, whatever comes our way. Our fans and people in general, need that encouragement too sometimes.

How did the band come about?
Alex: It was a long time coming I guess... Sam and myself have playing in bands since our schooldays (I used to be the drummer for his band, "The Raves"), and then we went our separate ways at uni. When Sam finished uni I was still at UCL in London, and he moved back down and we decided to get a band starting again, but seriously this time. We had a big back catalogue of songs written by this point and it was getting really frustrating not doing anything with them! So we met Will, our fantastic jazz drummer, and TJ, our ridiculously hipster guitarist, at UCL and started playing as Shout Timber from around March 2011.

What do you write songs about?
Alex: When I write a song, I don't really decide "right, I'm writing a song about this particular subject". It sounds cheesy, but I do think that the music and the song itself guides you - I try to write a song that as a whole reflects a particular feeling, emotion, perspective or side of life really well (In fact, a good example is this Noah and the Whale song "First Days of Spring" that does that almost perfectly actually...). For example, to use a song we wrote recently ("Monaco"), I started with this riff and melody and noted down the first few lines it brought to mind, and then I looked at the common themes in those lines - which were a desire to experience new things and freedom, plus it had this vintage, old school feel - and I expanded on those. It's now become our roadtrip song - about driving in an old Chevy to Monaco (To the golden coasts of Monaco I'll take you for a ride, so shift this bird into fifth gear, we'll leave this all behind).

Who do you write music for?

Alex: Again I don't think we write music for anyone or anything in particular, apart from because we love doing it - obviously we do it for our fans and the people who enjoy it, but ultimately we try and make sure it's something that we get joy out of and are satisfied with. Because then we believe in it, and it's far more likely to bring the enjoyment and love that we want it to bring to our listener's lives.

TJ: This guy, he sounds like he's trying to win Miss Universe. He's got heart though, and it's true.

Alex: Whatever TJ... we do mean it though.

Is image a big part of your band?
Well, music should be an expression of something real and true, and should be something you believe in. What that is may vary from person to person but if the heart isn't there - if you're worried about pleasing everyone as opposed to doing something you like - it'll end up artificial and lacking any substance. Our "image" is an outflowing of our music - it comes from who we are and should reflect us doing what we love. The songs we were writing made us feel like we wanted to play them smart and in suits, so we did. And it works too because we love the whole classy feeling suiting up gives us, it gives us this sense of calm and sophistication straight out of a Bogart flick.

What has been the most fun show you have played so far?
We were recently in a competition called the Uni Music League (there were a series of shows held at 229 and ULU in London for the rounds/quarter finals/semi-finals) and the final at ULU was fairly busy and there was just this really exciting atmosphere in the air when we played. We had such a good night and made a lot of fans, so that was really fun. But thinking back to some of the smaller shows we've played like Buffalo Bar and AAA in Kensington, they were great, because of the level of intimacy you have with the crowd and your fans.

What other bands have you enjoyed meeting/playing shows with?
Islander, they're another UCL band who we played with a while back, and they're absolutely fantastic. We'd also like to shout out Fair Ohs - we had the privilege of supporting them a while back and getting some pearls of wisdom from them. You need to listen to them if you haven't already, tropical punk at its finest. Another excellent band we played with were Hannah Williams & the Tastemakers - brilliant funk and soul, and Hannah has an amazing voice. We supported Tom Williams and the Boat last week, and they're a great band too.

What are your fans like?
Alex: Enthusiastic, happy, committed, always excited. Look at me, gettin' all sentimental...they're the best freakin' fans in the world. Seriously, they are such a support and knowing that our music impacts them makes it all feel very worthwhile. They go pretty crazy dancing at gigs sometimes too... which is good, because I go pretty nuts onstage too, and so I don't look quite as insane.

If you could soundtrack a film, which one would you choose?
Alex: That is a tough question... I'd love to soundtrack a Wes Anderson or a Paul Thomas Anderson film, but then again a David Lynch film would be different and just as fun. It would be cool to soundtrack an old 40s or 50s film - I love the whole nostalgic, warm, scratchy feeling of the audio recordings back then. With sound-tracking, you usually want the music to be a sonic representation of what you're seeing. So I guess our band would fit the soundtrack of a film about a road trip to the French Riviera pretty well. But to honest it would be more fun to start with the visuals and then see what music we make from that!

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
From a song writing perspective, to collaborate with a band like Wilco would be a dream come true. But to play with anyone in the live arena it would have to be Broken Social Scene. Their live shows are indescribable, and they always seem to get the support bands to come onstage to play with them and stuff.

Do you have any gigs/releases coming up?
We're very excited to say that we're going to be going up north in May to record with Tarek Musa of Kankouran. We're going to record our song "East India Trading Company" with him, which has an ethnic-crossover feel, and he's great at bringing that kind of stuff to life. Hopefully we'll record another song too, maybe "Monaco". So that will likely be our summer release this year. We hope to play some shows up north in the Manchester/Liverpool area while we're up there, and we'll do some more London shows to support the release in the summer. Stay posted on our facebook/twitter/website for details on when the launch show will be!

Monday 23 April 2012

FURROW Interview


Furrow are two dudes with the DIY dream. Secret Admirer dug a little deeper into their dream through email.

The photos of the band you see before you are from when the awesome twosome performed live on the Unsigned/New Music show on Scratch Radio (www.scratchradio.co.uk)


What's the idea behind the name Furrow?
Thom came up with the name. There is no idea as such behind the name. Furrow is an agricultural term when you plough the land so it’s ready to grow crop. There could be a meaning there? It’s in keeping with our surroundings and the way we approach making music.
Why did you start the band together?
We started because as friends we have always been pretty creative together. We both grew up in the country and went of to different cities. It kinda worked out but it wasn’t what we wanted. So we came back home and carried on where we left of. Working on exhibitions and creating art works. We are fortunate to be where we are and the people around us. Oswestry has a hub of amazing people that are creative. Our friends Jamie Davidson,George Triggs, People's Vinyl collective, Kino Culture and all from the Willow gallery influence us. For us making music was just another extension of art. We are both into bands like Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine and No Age. So sound wise we had an idea. When we started we could play to a point that was bearable but we just learnt as we went along. I had no real idea how to play the drums, none at all. But I thought I’ve played a little before and thought why not. It’s good to just go with the passion and feeling of creating something for the sake of it. And the times when you think, what am I doing I should stop all this and get a job. That’s good to, Use it. It’s always good to have some doubt it keeps’ you centred and focused. Just seeing how far we can take things with what we have in front us. See what sounds can be made from a pedal or sampler. Richard has started recording vocals through the snare drum. I just sing straight into it with the microphone underneath It makes an interesting sound? But to be honest we just wanted to put something out there something we made our selves. There is a joy in playing and making music as I’m sure all who are in bands know. And whatever genre of music that is, we are all chasing the same tail and it’s good to just keep on doing it. We both see this band/project as a hobby.
What do you write songs about?
Because I sing I write the words. I have a poor memory and remembering what to sing while playing the drums at the same time can be a challenge. Thom adds or takes lines out when I write because I do write loads from random thoughts or conversations with friends. Thom gives a direction of where the songs should go.  They seem to be very positive I feel and about the weather. Living in the country the weather is a big deal especially for farmers. I work at the local village shop in West Felton. It’s great and has a real sense of community. The weather that’s the first point of conversation for people that come into the shop. The weather shapes the way we feel, what we do and the mood of the day.
Who do you write music for?  
For you, ourselves and anyone who wants to listen. It’s a creative out put that would not work with out an audience. We have a sound cloud that we put mostly rough demos on there. It’s nice to see a progression in ideas, like when you see a painter develop their ideas in a sketch book. The demos are up so you can listen to them In the raw form, as they are when they were recorded that day in the caravan. Sometimes it’s just best to just let an idea go and not over work it. But playing live it’s totally different, you’re in that space and that space is ours for 20 or 30 mins and the audience joins us in that space if they won’t to or not. There is nothing more satisfying then seeing people dance and get into the music your making in front of them. And it’s even better when it’s the first time people have heard us play it’s almost like you have there seal of approval. I find people react to music in so many way’s , the best way we can put is our trash is another person’s treasure.

You seem to have strong DIY ideals, who else's loyalty to DIY do you admire?
A band from York called Fawn Spots. They run there own label Bad Paintings and of there own back went over to LA and played venues like the Smell and Burger Records that’s DIY for you. I think all bands have a foot in the door of DIY. As soon as you pick up that instrument your doing it yourself and drawing inspiration from what you know and what you like. In our case the DIY is purely from a wanting to do it. There is no point in waiting for someone to put out a record or tape for you. I see so many bands that are really good just waiting around for the record label and A+R people to come knocking and put out there album, book show’s for them etc. And when they don’t knock they just give up. When I saw the film ‘Instrument’ by Fugazi that gave me a real sense of inspiration. The way Ian Mackaye just get’s on with it and just keeps he’s head down.
What has been the most fun show you have played so far?
All of our shows have been great so far. Birmingham Sunflower was for us a highlight because No Age and Mika Miko played there on that very stage. Indie society put on a great night and made us feel at home. Playing Power Lunches for Andrew and Rachel from Cover Girl/Milk records and Trash Kit was so much fun. They run National minim rage and are the nicest people that are completely into what they do. Richard fell in love with the venue straight away. They were playing Fugazi - ‘Waiting room’ when we walked in with all our gear. But playing show’s it’s always fun to go on a road trip from city to city with your best friend.
What other bands have you enjoyed meeting/playing shows with?
So far everyone we have played with has been very supportive and positive in what we do and we feel the same about them. We don’t feel that our band is better the your band etc. If anything we wanna dance to your band when your on playing and just enjoy sharing ideas after the show.
If you could soundtrack a film, which one would you choose?
We are doing an exhibition based on rural themes and we are trying to get our friends Kino culture (they showcase independent art house films in Oswestry) to collaborate with us in showing the film Withnail and I in this old abandoned church. Been thinking of doing a live score to it. Like when No Age did The Bear. 
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
Do something with Bruce Nauman our Art hero. Maybe do a drum solo for a week in an exhibition space ‘A beat a day’ that’s a title right there. We had an idea to set up a tour around the country playing Village halls/community centers. Play in real remote parts of the country. The band Idlewild did it up in Scotland and the whole of this village came out to watch them the band play. Way through just played the Tate Britain and it looked amazing, that we would say yes to doing. Maybe play the Ikon in Birmingham if they will let us. Just playing an Upset the Rhythm in June is an achievement for us. So many bands that we love have played for them from Dan Deacon, BARR, Male Bonding, Deerhunter, Trash Kit, KIT No Age the list just goes on and on.
Do you have any gigs/releases coming up?
We have show’s coming up. We never say no to shows. Will drive up to Scotland just to play a show even if were the first band on the bill. We play in May the following dates Birmingham 5th for Forgotten Vintage charity night, our first home show at the Iron Works on the 6th, Boy Friend in Wrexham on the 7th,  Bleached in Birmingham 17th  and we head over to Cardiff with our friends Mowbird on the 31st. Then in June we go on tour with Fawn Spots around the UK and play our first Upset the Rhythm with Mikal Crokin on 11th June. The S/T tape and zine is out 30th April and you can download it when you buy it from the Bandcamp. There’s  a split tape with Moondad, that’s set to be out for the end of  July and another split tape or maybe record (if we can) with Fawn Spots at the end of the year. While doing band thing’s , working on more exhibitions around Oswestry. One project we are working on is a music/art day. Get an abandoned shop and have bands play in it for the day. Playing clubs and ‘Rock and roll venues is great but playing places where you wouldn’t expect a band is where we want to play. So if any bands read this and want to play a shop in Oswetry please let us know.

Photography by Jack Parker

Thursday 12 April 2012

HEAVY WAVES Interview


Heavy Waves is the brain-child of one man bedroom-band Luke Morgan. Secret Admirer caught up with Luke just before he played his first ever live show.

Interview Date: 9/04/2012
Interview Location: The Rainbow, Birmingham
Vibe Report: Informative




How did the band start up?

I came to Uni and wanted to make music and I used to be a drummer so it’s kind of hard for me to make music. So I just picked up a guitar and started writing tunes and wrote one that we are going to play tonight. I kind of thought that I really wanted to play it live because there was a bit of interest in the recording I put up. So I asked the other two if they wanted to play in my band and it started from there.

Who else is in the band with you now?

Ed Taylor and Matt Tucker, I found them because they do my course at Uni. I found them online; which is a pretty weird way to find your band mates.

Like online dating? It does work!

It’s a bit weird.

You didn’t try the method of putting up posters around Uni requesting drummer and guitarist for awesome, shiny new band?

That’s old school man! Not interested in that.

So you are very much a band of the future then.

Yeah!

What’s the idea behind your name Heavy Waves?

I had a few ideas and words and I kind of liked the sound of the sea, ocean kind of theme. We thought that was kind of going somewhere. And the first song was called ‘Tides’. So it’s all a nautical kind of theme. So we just went along bouncing around a few words and it just came out as Heavy Waves.

Is that what inspires you then, the beach and stuff like that?

Yeah.

Do you go to the beach a lot to write?

No. Do I fuck! (Laughs) It’s the fake-beach-rocker scene in Birmingham isn’t it? I’m just jumping on the bang-wagon a bit. I’d like to think we are a bit different, as you’ll hear tonight hopefully.

Are you a fan of any of the bands in Birmingham then?

The first week I got here, you were there actually! You were there. It was that gig: Troumaca, Peace and Swim Deep. All on the same night. That was the first week I got here, went there and then…

It blew your mind!

Yeah, fucking blew my mind. And then Harry from Peace came up to me and was like: ‘You’re the guy from Physics’ and I worship them at Uni and that was a huge moment for me. Like, the first week I’m here and I meet my favourite band. Real big fans of them guys.

Do you have any more shows coming up?

We’ve got a gig in London on the 2nd May. With a few people that have been touted as being next big things. So that’s alright.

Who are you playing with?

Splashh.

With two H’s?

Yeah, they were in NME the other week. They are pretty touted and Best Friends. Who are really good. Me and Ed sent each other Youtube videos of the kind of music we liked and Best Friends was one of them. And we are gigging with them on our second gig so I feel like it’s going to be good.

Do you feel like part of a scene in Birmingham?

I don’t know yet. This is our first gig so…

Early days!

We’ve recorded an EP the other week and I just want to see how that goes down really. Then we’ll see how it works out.

What’s the reaction to your demos been like on the Internet?

It’s been really good, yeah. Quite a few people interested in us. We are being touted as a pretty big band already and we haven’t played a gig or released any music yet. I’ve got like a few demos and stuff out, stuff that I’ve done by myself in my bedroom on Logic. Nothing else, nothing real but we’ve been touted as a big up and coming thing which is really great.

Is that how you write songs then? In your bedroom?

Yeah, literally. I have insomnia, so I’m up until 3 o’clock, 4 o’clock in the morning and it kind of just takes my mind of things: writing music. I’m not happy unless I write a song a day.

How many demos have you got so far?

I’ve got about 30 tracks. Some of them are just a few guitar riffs and some drum ideas and stuff but some of them are like full formed songs and we haven’t done anything with them yet.

Some people wake up in the middle of the night with an idea but you are already awake!

I’m actually up already. (Laughs) I have a stupid sleeping pattern, I stay up. Like last night I was up until six o’clock in the morning and then I fell asleep from like six till ten in the morning and that’s how I work.

It’s kind of a blessing in a way, this insomnia, it gives you inspiration!

I’m like a fucking owl. Everyone takes the piss out of me saying that I’m never in Uni because I’m asleep during Uni and awake at night. Half the winter, I didn’t see the sun!

That’s crazy! So, is that why you write songs about it? Because you miss the sun?

Yeah man, deffo.

What kind of bands are you inspired by? What kind of music do you like?

I don’t know mate. It’s kind of a lot of things. Like when I was in my other band with my brother, who is here, Physics. We were inspired by The Maccabees, Foals, just straight-up indie stuff then I got to Uni and I kind of started listening to different stuff. I wanted to change what I wanted to do. I started listening to stuff like Bleeding Knees Club, Wavves. Which is no coincidence that our band name is fairly similar to Wavves.

He’s got two V’s in it. Totally different!

Oh yeah, totally different. I really like the energy of that kind of music. It’s not about anything: there’s no deep meanings. It’s just like: “teenage girls, you’re my world”. That’s a Bleeding Knees Club lyric.

Nice and simple.

Yeah and that’s how I like to do it.

Just get the message across.

Yeah, I like to think we do that as well. It’s just straight to the point and I like that.

Is your other band Physics still going?

Nah. We’ve got a gig in Summer at Non Stop Festival in Worcester but that’s just like a reunion gig. But I really want to get this Heavy Waves EP out because it sounds amazing and I think it’s really going to shock people. We are playing all the songs off it tonight.

How are you as a leader of the band? Are you a bit of a diva with the other guys?

I’ve only been on stage once and sung before and that was at a college thing. It was full of old people. I was singing Arctic Monkeys and it didn’t go down too well with all the old people. So this is the first time I have ever been a front man. Playing bass as well. It’s hard because I have only ever played drums before. Should be interesting.

Cool man! Cheers for your time.

Thank you very much.


Photography by Jack Parker

Wednesday 11 April 2012

JAWS Interview



Secret Admirer hooked up with Connor, Eddy, Alex and Jacoby from young, hip, happening new-comers Jaws.
Connor’s dad was also present. Oh, and some babes. Who were presumably with the band.

Interview Date: 9/04/2012
Interview Location: The Rainbow, Birmingham
Vibes: Banter-ridden

How did the band come together?

Jacoby: From him.

Eddy: Err, it was Connor, it was his call because he put his songs up on Soundcloud and he got, err, ‘Cameron’ got a thousand plays in a week.  Was it a week?

Connor: Yeah.

Eddy: So he got gig offers and stuff and he wanted to get a band together anyway so he asked around college really and just asked us. We are his substitutes, there was a band in place before but they kind of failed.

Connor: They left. The music was too happy for the other guys, so they left.

They wanted it a bit darker?

Connor: Yeah, they are all metal.

Eddy: Well I was in a metal band.

Connor: I was in a metal band.

Eddy: We were both in metal bands.

Connor’s Dad: There’s three drummers in this band.

Eddy: Three, heavy…drummers. But yeah, he asked us and that’s what we’ve been doing. Working every Monday from…

Some laughter erupts amongst the guys.

What made you want to give up metal?

Eddy: I did enjoy it.

Alex: It’s all the same, that’s why.

Eddy: I did enjoy it but yeah, it is all the same. Everyone looks the same and the scene, it’s…

A bit stale now?

Eddy: Yeah. It’s whoever has got the best looking t-shirts. That’s whether you get a gig or not, if you’ve got a nice looking t-shirt, we’ll give you a gig.

It’s all about the merchandise! Are you working on merchandise at all? Got a cool t-shirt design?
Eddy: We are working on ideas.

Connor: Can’t afford it yet.

Eddy: We are saving our money.

Fair enough. Why did you choose the name Jaws? What’s the idea behind that?

Jacoby: Do you know the evil guy from James Bond?

Yeah.

Jacoby: Him.

Eddy: It’s nothing to do with sharks.

Jacoby: He’s the kind of guy we want to grow up into.

Connor: We all aspire to be that guy.

The teeth as well?

Eddy: Yeah, we want to get rich enough to have gold teeth.

Connor: It’s like; I haven’t got the straightest teeth. And I’ve been to the dentist and they’ve said ‘we can give you braces and fix them and everything’ but I was like ‘no, I want to get someone in and get the same as Jaws from James Bond’ and they said ‘well you can’t afford it, so you are just going to have to save up’. So I’m just currently saving up and that’s why I made the songs.

Well you are going the right way about it, I mean, a thousand plays in one week, one day it might be a thousand records sold so you can all afford those Jaws teeth.

Jacoby: Maybe. But we’re not printing them on records; we are printing them on McDonald’s fries.
Connor: And we are going to give away a download, you have to buy large fries and peel the Monopoly sticker off.

Eddy: You know; the Monopoly things you get off McDonalds.

Connor: It’s a new idea.

Very business-minded. I like that.

Connor: Or we might just put our song on a Frisbee and just throw it. Hopefully it ends up in Simon Cowell’s lap.

Or you could get that other guy from James Bond with the deadly bowler hat? And put it on there and throw it. You might kill someone though.

Eddy: We’re not a death metal band, so… (Laughs)

Not anymore anyway! What kind of music do you like? What inspires you to write?

Connor: I don’t even know.

Eddy: I look out my window and that inspires me.

Jacoby: When we went to Cyber Dog, we got a new groove of music: Bulgarian Rave.

Connor: The next songs you’ll definitely hear the Cyber Dog influence.

Jacoby: Bulgarian Rave Jazz Metal.

Connor: Along those lines.

Eddy: If you want some serious answers, I’ll say them.

These answers are much more interesting.

Eddy: Well ok then, then yeah, Bulgarian Death Metal.

Jacoby: It’s Bulgarian Rave Jazz Metal Core.

Connor: Yeah, core. Don’t forget the core on the end.

Eddy: Fine, Bulgarian Jazz Metal Core.

The boys share another laugh.

Jacoby: Green Day, just say Green Day because everyone likes Green Day so…

Eddy: All he listens to is Green Day and Oasis. He’s a mod.

Connor: If you looked at him any other day, he’s a mod. But just for today, it’s a one off Hawaiian shirt. It’s his Jaws shirt.

Is the image and aesthetic of your behind quite important?

Eddy: I don’t think it’s an image, it’s just a laugh.

Connor: We bought these Hawaiian shirts because it’s two for fifteen quid.

Eddy: That’s what we are all about: bargains, bargains, bargains. We don’t really go in Selfridges because it’s not very cheap. So we go to Poundland. That’s where we get our stuff.
Alex: All my clothes are from charity shops.

Someone who is in need will benefit from that money.

Eddy: See, we do good causes as well. I’m actually a saint.

Alex: Have you ever been to Halesowen? It’s where I go to college and it consists of about three thousand charity shops. It consists of banks, housing estates and err…charity shops.

Eddy: That’s our image in a nutshell.

Jacoby: And Argos and Wilkinson and Greggs. Love Greggs.

What shows have you played so far?

Eddy: Just the Camden one.

How was that?

Eddy: It was really good, about forty people turned up but it was the right people.

Jacoby: Eighteen to nine year olds.

Connor: Eight to nine year olds?

Jacoby: Eighteen to nine year olds.

Connor: (Laughs) What?

Eddy: Ok, moving on…someone from NME turned up because our mate who got us the gig. He sorted quite a lot out for us that day.

Is that Martin Mackay?

Eddy: Yeah.

He’s a nice guy, he put on my band a couple of years ago.

Connor: He said he’s coming down today, don’t think he is.

What do you think of Birmingham’s music scene? You a fan of any other bands knocking about?

Connor: Peace. I only really know Peace and Swim Deep but I know there is new bands every day, so…it’s Heavy Waves tonight too. Playing their first gig.

Jacoby: Flatline Stereo are a good band.

Alex: Most bands from Birmingham are just metal, they are all the same.

They say it’s the birthplace of metal.

Random Dude: Is there anything I can do to persuade you guys to come and watch this girl?

Jacoby: If you buy me a kebab.

Random Dude: A kebab? You can buy your own kebab.

After this important interview, we’ll be out there!

Random Dude: Oh! Are you interviewing?

Eddy: You’re on it now.

Random Dude: Well that’s fine guys.

The Random Dude departs, to carry on watching the singing girl currently on stage.

Five seconds of fame right there.

The conversation turns to fellow brum-bands Swim Deep and Peace’s songs getting played at half time in Villa Park by Richard Franks from Counteract Magazine.

Do you think your music would appeal to lairy football fans?

Connor: Yeah, it’ll calm them down.

Yeah you could be the remedy for football hooliganism.

Eddy: We are the complete opposite to Kasabian because they kind of rile them up. Soon as they hear ‘Underdog’ they are like ‘goh-on ladz!’

What do you think of the other bands on the bill tonight?

Eddy: We like Swim Deep. Especially ‘King City’, it’s class.

Alex: We’ve heard of Heavy Waves, haven’t heard the other bands apart from Fading Lights, we go to college with them.
Eddy: They’ve been going for quite a while.

Connor: I’d imagine we are the worst band playing today.

Eddy: Shhh!

So modest!

Connor: It is opposite day.

Have you got any plans for future gigs or releases?

Jacoby: We are playing Wembley.

Eddy: We’re not.

Optimistic! It’s good.

Connor: Have you heard of Download Festival? Going to headline that.

Eddy: We are playing that One Beat Sunday gig. That’ll be cool. And we are playing at The Victoria soon. And we’re playing in Manchester soon at the end of May.

What about releasing your music, have you got any physical releases coming out?

Connor: We’ve got a demo CD out now which we’ve put a bit of effort into doing.

Eddy: Well, Connor has.

Jacoby: Not any of the rest of us.

Connor: It looks quite good.

Alex: We should give one to Rich, get played at Villa Park.

Connor: It’s just the dream to be played at Villa Park.

Jacoby: And Soccer AM. Sky Sports too.

Connor: I think we are just going to see what happens, if we get approached by a label or if I don’t know, we’ll just wait and see. A lot of bands just keep pushing and pushing and I don’t know. It gets nowhere sometimes.

Eddy: It just feels like you are annoying people. Just going to see what happens.

You don’t seem like the guys to shove it in people’s faces. A refreshing approach. Thanks for your time guys!

Connor: No worries.


Photography: Jack Parker