Issue Nineteen
Viagra Boys The Orielles Insecure Men Drenge Baxter Dury
So here we are, our last magazine of the year. Issue Nineteen sees out 2018 with The Orielles on the cover. The Halifax band have recently become a four piece and we gave them a call to talk about the new dynamic, the reaction to their debut album and channelling the festival vibes on their new single. Stockholm’s Viagra Boys have taken the UK by storm in recent months and we caught up with them at their London headline show to chat about the influence of Mariah Carey on their formation. Baxter Dury has recently returned to our speakers as B.E.D, a collaborative effort with Ètiene De Crécy and Delilah Holliday. We caught up with Baxter on his way to pick up a vegan bagel and discussed blowing budgets, Heavenly Records and what he thinks of the UK’s new bands. Staying in London via Limerick, whenyoung have released their debut EP on Virgin Records and we quizzed them on the importance of their new home in the capital. Chilli Jesson has been a staple feature in previous issues, whether it was with his previous band, Palma Violets or when we introduced his new group, Crewel Intentions 12 months ago. One year on, Crewel Intentions have released their first two singles and it seemed the perfect time to catch up.
3 Baxter Dury B.E.D
6 whenyoung Dreams
9 Viagra Boys Just Like You
12 RIP Dale Barclay A True Original
15 Crewel Intentions Cruel Intentions
17 Insecure Men
THE GABBAWOCKY
We speak to Saul of Insecure Men who’s just secured his
first permanent residence in four years. He talks to us about the new Insecure Men album and spills a little on what’s
next for the Fat Whites. Yak are another band who have just signed to major label, Virgin Records. We meet frontman,
Oli Burslem in East London where he opens up about how the new album let him get ‘emo’ for the first time. Lady
Bird are from Tunbridge Wells, the Kent band released their debut EP under Slaves’ label, Girl Fight Records. We sent some questions to the trio via email and they were kind
enough to reply extensively. To finish the issue, Sheffield
lads Drenge reach rare territory for an indie band… Album three. We interview them about what’s to come and how
things have become more complex. And staying north, we
speak to Manchester’s wild boys, The Starlight Magic Hour. They’re a band who take their music, appearance and story telling very seriously. We dig in to all of the above. Who
Are You? introduces some of our new favourites from the underground. This time around you’ll meet Italia 90, Just Mustard, Desire, Cruelty and more.
19 YAK
Words Fail Me
25 The Orielles
Old Stuff, New Glass
32 The Chats Smoko
33 The Starlight Magic Hour The End of the Party
35 Who Are You? Get To Know
38 Drenge
Incredibles 2
39 Lady Bird
Leave Me Alone Opposite, So Young Illustration Competition Winner, Bryony Loveridge (The Magic Gang)
Baxter Dury Baxter Dury had a good 12 months, going from niche
Yeah, that’s always hard. To know what’s massive, or not
concern to indie crossover with the darkly lyrical ‘Miami’.
massive, or what the fuck. You just go and make music and
Now, with a busy year of touring behind him, he’s released
try and get a good reaction from it yourself. I’m quite free
a collaborative record with Étienne De Crécy and Delilah
to do what I want I suppose. I try not to think about what
Holliday. Which is, on paper why we’re talking. In reality,
other people might think of something. What’s good about
when we get through to Baxter, 15 minutes later than
you is when you’re at your freest.
planned on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, we talk about nearly everything else. Touching on the ‘fame shift’, orchestras
We read in an article that you’d said to the label, that
and why he and his band will always be “just the same basic
they could keep the publishing for ‘Miami’ if you could
bunch of cunts”...
have strings on it?
We’ve just been sent B.E.D - which we’ve been listening
Well I wanted the strings yeah. Who did I say keep the
to a lot. Is this the next Baxter album, or an interim
publishing to, I want it back if i did? Well, I probably
thing?
maxed out the budget more than they were really expecting. I kind of weaved, ducked and dived you know, and managed
It’s just a little interim thing. I didn’t think it would even
to get those strings, and the guy was really clever that came
get released, and it did. Kind of by accident. Well, it wasn’t
and helped. It was definitely an ambitious stroke I pulled,
by accident. I obviously made some music. Someone liked
and it made it a better record. More interesting. It could be
it and put it out. And it’s gained a little bit of momentum in
just be a bloke talking. A lot of the time that’s what it boils
a nice way. It’s not meant to do too much, you know?
down to. My act is a bloke talking and that’s it, and the rest is a lot of devices built around the bloke talking to make it
How did that whole project come about?
feel more impressive.
I was just milling about Paris, as we all do, after making my
We cover a lot of new bands, and I’d say, at least in
last album. I just happened to be there a bit and I knew the
that little corner, the music scene feels healthier than it
guy Etienne, and he had a studio, and we just sort of grew
has been for a long while. Goat Girl, Shame, Idles for
from there really.
example. What do you think of that lot?
So then you took it into Heavenly and they went for it?
I like some of them. I like some of them. Some of them are mates of mine. I usually like people that like me first. Goat
They were just vibing about it. They vibe about unusual
Girl, I like them. They’re doing good things. I’m at an age
things. That’s what’s nice about them. That’s what makes
difference so I’m not totally meant to be stuck in that world.
them really good. They don’t think about much, they just
I can allow myself to be out of that. I’m not into knocking
react and are really positive. That’s what I like about them.
bands, you know what I mean. I don’t think there’s anything amazing. I shouldn’t say that but I don’t know. The Idles
It must be hard now, given the reaction. Trying to figure
thing, I’ve never seen Idles play but they’re always very
out what to do next.
nice to me..
3
Words by Rob Knaggs, illustration by Jolanda Jokinen
whenyoung whenyoung are one of those buzz bands that everyone
Do you find that the city takes a toll on your creativity?
is talking about and for good reason. Having already impressed the likes of Shane MacGowan with their
It can do! Even more so as time goes on...It seems that
sonically satisfying mix of angular guitars and catchy
all people care about is money, so you see venues closing
lullaby melodies, the trio have gone on to record their debut
down and art spaces, but you can still find it, there’s still
EP. Currently on tour with The Vaccines, guitarist, Niall
an underground scene. If you want to be here then you
Burns calls us from a services just outside of Amsterdam.
can make it work. We could move back to Limerick and find a cheaper place but we wouldn’t have the opportunity
So your new EP is just about to drop, and the tracks
to meet these insane and exciting people and be part of a
are so fab. There’s a Cranberries cover which is just
bigger hub of creativity. Like the community is so small
so beautiful, you really do it justice! What is the
which is great! We had our first ever tour like a year ago,
significance of that song for you guys? And what is the
we weren’t signed, we didn’t even have an agent and it was
influence that The Cranberries had on you as a band?
just because our mate’s band, Superfood, took us on tour... Everybody knows everybody really...What we’ve found as
They were a huge band growing up in Ireland, they were
well is that there doesn’t seem to be a sense of competition
one of Ireland’s treasures, but for the three of us they were
in the London music scene, everyone is super supportive
never a huge influence growing up, we were more into stuff
and in it for the music. I mean no one really gets into it for
like Richard Hell.With the Cranberries we really just knew
money, they do it because they’re just writing songs in their
the hits, if I’m honest. Then we had that crazy show in
bedroom, and I don’t think that ever really changes, like
January where we performed at Shane McGowan’s birthday
even with the Vaccines right now, there’s just no bullshit
and the night that happened was the night that Dolores
with them, they just love the music.
O’Riordan died and it just put a dark shadow over the whole evening... then later it naturally felt right to record that
Do you think if you’d have stayed in Limerick it would
song as we’ve always loved it and wanted to do a tribute
have held you back?
to Dolores and The Cranberries as they’re tied in with our I think it would have. It’s a lot harder and a lot smaller,
roots.
there’s a lot less opportunity. The amazing thing about Are you feeling settled in London now?
moving to London is that we met so many incredible people and if we’d have stayed there who knows what
I do! When we go away and stuff, it’s really nice to get
would happen... In Ireland there are so many bands that
back. We come from a very small place in Limerick where
don’t get where they should because they’re not afforded
everybody knows everybody and everyone knows your
the opportunities... But that said Fontaines D.C are based
business so yeah, some people like that but when we came
in Dublin and they’re doing great things so you can’t
to London we really liked the anonymity of it, how nobody
always know. It was never actually our intention to move
knows anything about you and being able to do what you
to London and form a band, it just sort of happened really,
want to do, it’s a very different experience to what we
like we moved over at different times and it initially started
experienced growing up... I don’t know if it will be home
as just something to do. Growing up, I knew I wanted to
forever but it’s home for now.
move somewhere bigger as I knew that that’s where things happened and I realised that I was actually right!
Words by Eleanor Philpot, illustration by Nada Hayek
6
So Young Illustration Competition 3rd Place, Kenzi Inouye (King Krule), opposite, 2nd Place, Ellen Lee (Siouxsie Sioux)
Viagra Boys Stockholm gutter rats Viagra Boys are the best band in
To put it simply, we just wanted to make weird music.
the world. I think. Everyone seems utterly perplexed by the band, attempting to explain what they stand for, why
Your sound is quite hard to pin down, as you are ‘Punk’,
they exist- are they a true feminist punk band? Are they a
but also have a real groove to some of your songs that
comment on failed masculinity? Are they reactionary to the
maybe isn’t so ‘three chords by angry guys’. What are
rise of the neo-right in Sweden? Are they just fuckheads on
you trying to get across when writing or performing?
the wrong end of a few decades of drug taking? I think when we met we were taking a lot of drugs and Whilst seeing Viagra Boys live is undoubtedly where they
listening to a lot of techno, and we wanted to incorporate
will win most new fans, new album ‘Street Worms’ (oddly
that sort of thud-thud-thud monotone essence into what
released on Year0001, home of Yung Lean and Bladee) is
we were doing. The feeling isn’t necessarily something we
nonetheless a brilliant testament to the experiential wonders
go into the track trying to create, but more what happens
of self-loathing, as it flips from jaunty sardonicism (lead
through mixing different elements together, and seeing
single ‘Sports’) to pained introspection on tracks like ‘Just
whether we like what comes out.
Like You’. Reading other interviews with you guys, a lot is made of When talking to the band, what strikes is that despite
you subverting, and maybe taking the piss slightly, out
their rejection of all interpretations given as part of some
of traditional masculine roles- is this something you’ve
‘journalistic agenda’- the narrative is correct, though so
consciously adopted?
genuine, so unaffected, it’s almost impossible to believe. It’s a true imprint of low culture on high culture, serving
It’s not something we’re against, but we’re not ‘the feminist
to elevate itself beyond its sum parts through musical and
punk band’. I think people always tend to try and find an
social chaos. I think. Regardless, we met with them on a
explanation for why things are, when really we don’t have
chilly Dalston evening prior to their gig at Birthdays, to try
anything important to say, or questions to raise. We are
and at least get a glimpse of why Viagra Boys exist in the
feminists, but we’re also just ourselves, pieces of shit, who
manner they do.
just happen to be men!
You’ve exploded into wider consciousness on the back of
‘Street Worms’ is amazing. Could you tell me a bit about
the singles on your new album, but you’re in no way a
the inspiration and process that went into creating it?
new band, having put out a few EPs dating back to 2015. Could you tell me a bit about how you guys got started?
The past couple of years, due to the extensive travelling and drug taking, our brains have developed into this constantly
We knew each other beforehand, and when we got drunk
shifting mess of ideas about music, and what we want to
we’d always talk about forming a band, but then saw
do generally. We’re already over the album, we’re going to
Sebastian [Vocals] singing karaoke- ‘We Belong Together’
do something completely different for the next one. Might
by Mariah Carey, and it was amazing. We all wanted to do
make a jazz record, who knows? Got to keep them guessing.
something different to what we’d done before, as well as
You don’t get opportunities like this too often, so fuck it.
having listened to a lot of the same stuff, stuff that was still raw but had an element of weirdness to it.
9
Words by Dan Pare, illustration by Alex Ram
15
Words by Rhys Buchanan
RIP Dale Barclay, editor’s note. In September this year, Dale Barclay sadly died.The frontman of the incredible, Amazing Snakeheads, part time member of the Fat White Family and more recently And Yet It Moves, has affected the underground community more than he’d probably ever comprehend. Dale had recently been suffering from a rare Brain Cancer and fans alongside those around him helped to raise over £40k to help save the man. Whilst it has ultimately failed, the reaction to his suffering is a true measure of his effect on the world. Dale Barclay terrified me, his music, his face and his conviction were chilling. The first and only time I spoke to him was at Josh’s flat where we had arranged an interview for Issue Five. It was around 12pm and we’d rescheduled a call from the day before. I’d had 24 hours to sit on my questions and then hope I’d receive more than the odd snarl in return. To prepare, I’d sunk two ciders and a small vodka whilst locking myself away in the kitchen. It all seems silly now as Dale was one of the most genuine people I’ve interviewed, truly passionate about his work. I’d caught him at a time where rumours were circulating that ‘Amphetamine Ballads’ would be the band’s first and only record due to fall outs in the band and Dale had no qualms about getting emotional about what was going on. My brief encounter with Dale was scary as fuck, but I’m very pleased it happened. RIP Dale Barclay. A true original.
Words by Sam Ford, illustration by Antonio Giovanni Pinna
12
So Young Illustration Competition 4th Place, Nada Hayek (Siouxsie Sioux), opposite, 5th Place, Andreea Dobrin Dinu (Fat White Family)
So Young Illustration Competition 5th Place, Jonathan Vermersch (Dev Hynes), opposite, 4th Place, Sam Moore (The Strokes)
Crewel Intentions After Palma Violets broke up two years ago, Chilli Jesson
You’ve already been performing for quite a while before
was suddenly thrust into reality. Overcome with worries
releasing this one…
and feelings of anxiety about what the future would hold, the dreamboat spotlight-stealer of the former indie rockers
That was a conscious decision for all of us. I’ve seen it in
began to pour his feeling out into songs, and slowly his new
the past when somebody just jumps on it, and I wanted to
project Crewel Intentions was born.
build this band from the ground up. I’m allowed to say this - I don’t know why, but I am - but it’s the best live band out
Shaking off the sarcastic cynicism that characterised his
there. I sit back in rehearsal and listen to them and it just
former lyrics, Chilli is (slightly) older and ready to be a lot
works, they’ve made songs into something that I couldn’t
more real. We caught up with him to find out more.
even imagine them to be. We could’ve just come out straight with a single but we wanted to play around and almost
It’s been two years since Palma Violets ended, what have
wanted to integrate back into it. I missed that shit.
you been up to since then? Does it feel kind of weird to go back to the start again? Quite a lot, I suppose! It’s been some real highs and lows. I sort of foresaw that Palma Violets was going to hit a
It feels really good! A big factor was because it was so
brick wall about six months before it finished. From that
quick [with Palma Violets], I wrote about five songs in five
moment I really had to think about the future and imagine a
years, which is fucking pathetic, but there was just never
world where I’m not with the same three other people that
enough time! Also, for me, I only sang like four/five songs
I had been with for the last six years. It was a sad feeling
a set, I was like a glorified bass player. I was pretty lucky,
but there was also this enormous sense of freedom that
I got away with it. During that period of time that I was
just encapsulated me when it actually did happen. It was
talking about, it all kind of came out and I’ve got this body
just me and a guitar, and suddenly this flurry of music and
of work which is just sitting there. Everything I look back
songs just started bleeding onto the page. I started writing
on fondly, like how lucky am I? I’ve toured the fucking
personal accounts of my life which I’d never done before.
world, I’m fucking lucky. But this really feels like a natural
I’d always dressed everything in irony because I was scared
step.
of what my peers would think of me. If you dress something in irony you can always shake it off as “Well obviously that
What do you want people to take away from the new
was a fucking joke!” Anyway, I just started writing this
Crewel Intentions music?
personal stuff and really digging deep basically. Some people might get deep and relate to the lyrics, and Your debut track “Youth In Overload” has just come
then someone else just thinks they can fucking dance to it.
out. How’s the reaction been so far?
Everything is kind of relative when it comes to emotions. I think people will take different things, I just hope it’s good!
It’s been great. This song basically sums up that two year
The next single is called “Cruel Intentions”.
period, in feeling anxious and massive highs and lows, and it felt like a call to arms. I think it’s like the beginning of the story.
15
Words by Elly Watson, illustration by Tjaša Cizej
Saul Adamczewsi’s Insecure Men released one of So
Your songwriting delves into certain topics that at times
Young’s albums of 2018 in February and now round off the
makes it hard to distinguish between satire, irony and
year for us with the launch of this issue and festive knees up
the more sincere or simple historical observations. Do
at the 100 Club. We thought it was only right to get a few
you enjoy leaving people wondering how serious you’re
words from the man himself before the end of the year to
being?
talk Insecure Men, The Fat Whites and GABBAWOCKY. Sure why not. I’m not sure how many people are listening You’ve just properly released your Karaoke for One:
and I’m not sure what they’re thinking but I’m certainly not
Vol. 1, which you put online last year, this release has
interested in being serious all the time.. or ever.
the addition of a cover of Mysterious Girl by Peter Andre, what made you choose that song to cover? That contrasted with your version of Picture Cards Can’t Picture You for example makes for a really interesting listen when you hear the album as a whole… It was a last minute decision... I guess I just heard a melody in the song that could be taken in a different direction from the original recording... more like a retarded Roy Orbison crooning then Peter Andre.. the lyrics are appalling. I don’t really know why I chose it.
17
Where are you currently living? How does that location
It’s really a pop record. Some dance influences. Like Boney
affect your writing? If at all…
M mixed with the Pet Shop Boys and Laibach playing in a Chinese restaurant.
I’ve just moved to Brixton. First time I’ve had an actual place of residence in 4 years. It will affect my writing
Has touring with a new band given you a fresh
because I now have somewhere to write.. before I’ve only
perspective on how to approach touring and working
been able to write in sporadic moments whenever I got the
with The Fat Whites in the future as far as harmony
chance to be alone.
within the band and working friendships go?
What new bands are you into at the moment?
Yeah it definitely has. There’s gonna be another new line up in The Fat Whites and we’ve chosen the band based on the
Not many. They’re hardly new but Meatraffle, John Maus
idea that working with people who seem slightly less insane
and Pregoblin are all firm favourites of mine
might help us stay more sane as a group. Took a while to work that one out.
When we previously spoke you said that you wouldn’t tour much with Insecure Men. Since then you’ve played
What are your plans for 2019?
more than I expected, why’s that? What is it about the Insecure Men setup that works for you?
Mostly touring with Fat Whites but also a couple of Insecure Men things and mine and Nathan’s new gabba side
We’ve only done 2 tours and a few festivals. It wasn’t really
project THE GABBAWOCKY watch this space....
that much at all... it was the perfect amount as far as I’m concerned. The set up works for me because we have all the instruments we used on the record.. vibraphone, lap steel, sax and steel pans plus all the wonky keyboards. Also everyone in the live band respects each other and there’s a nice comradery between us. It’s been a real joy to be honest. Is there a second Insecure Men album in the works? Yeah it’s pretty much all written. Thinking of doing a 7 inch single and an EP before the second record which won’t come out until we’ve finished with this next Fat Whites album and Ben also has a solo record coming out so there’s no rush but it’s ready to go. I know you’ve done the odd collaborative gig at The Five Bells, but do you ever foresee a situation where you could put on a big show featuring some of the bands you’ve started or been involved with? Childhood followed by Insecure Men supporting The Fat Whites kinda thing? Sure I would love that but no plans to do it at the moment. Can you tell us anything about how the new Fat Whites record is sounding?
Words and illustration by Josh Whettingsteel
18
YAK It’s been two years since Yak dropped ‘Alas Salvation’ and
By the end, when we’d chosen all the eleven songs that
there’s no doubt that every indie-rock connoisseur has been
were going to be on the record, there kinda was a concept
restlessly awaiting its follow up. Their latest album, created
to them, which wasn’t the idea at the start at all. They were
amidst a time of personal crisis and reckless hedonism,
all written around the same time...so this idea, obviously
is their rawest work yet. We caught up with frontman Oli
the album is called The Pursuit of Momentary Happiness,
Burslem over a cup of tea to chat about the recording.
and when you’re living with that mindset it’s not about longevity or thinking about the future, it’s about pursuing
So it’s been two years since your last record, and it
immediate happiness, which are usually the things that can
seems like the new one has everything thrown at it... I
destroy you, whether it’s going out and getting wankered or
read that you sold all of your worldly possessions and
just sitting back and going, ‘Oh god, what’s all this about?’
moved into your car. Was this out of necessity or you pushing yourself in order to put everything into the
When I think about how bare it is, it’s quite embarrassing
record?
really, but if you’re going to do something in 2018 that’s as regressive as being in a rock band then you might as well
I mean it was necessity really. At the start of the record we
try and say something worthwhile. Otherwise it really is the
didn’t have a label or a full band...there was a good chance
pits then…
it was going to be the end of it. So we had to fight to make the record exist. But that said, any form of desperation is
Did you approach writing a little differently on this
good for creativity, whether it’s financial or ego driven,
album? It’s contains some very tender, sentimental
maybe that’s the thing that keeps you pushing. But there’s
tracks, like ‘Words Fail Me’, it seems as if we’re hearing
24 hours in a day, I don’t just sit in my car, going I can’t
a new side to YAK.
wait to tell everyone about this, this record is going to fly off the shelves…
I suppose it was my headspace but also not having anywhere to live, during the writing of the first record I had
Did you feel any second album pressure?
a bedroom with a little studio setup. With this album, there was limited time and all I had was my guitar which meant
I definitely cared and put everything into the record but
things became more chord heavy. Initially, I was wondering
then you get to a certain point where you’re like, I couldn’t
if ‘Words Fail Me’ was even a song for the band, at the time
do much more, and it’s honest and real, a document of that
I was coming into sessions with quieter song after quieter
time and then you move on really. Someone asked me if I
song and Elliot was like, ‘Are we ever going to do a rock
care what people write and I’m just like, well I obviously
song again?’
prefer reviews to be favourable but at the end of the day it’s just an autopsy, the thing they’re writing about, it’s dead by
The recording for that one was quite emotional actually,
then, the music is done for me.
I think pretty much everyone was there, like Marta and Jason Pierce, and when I did the vocal, it was the first time
Would you say that this album has a strong narrative?
everyone had really heard it all pieced together and I was quite embarrassed about it. I remember everyone being slightly emo about it, which was nice as we’ve never had that before.
19
Words by Eleanor Philpot, illustration by Andreea Dobrin Dinu
So there was that session at Kevin Parker’s studio
This could be your emo hit then...
with Jay Watson that didn’t quite work out, was there It’s funny because at the time I was listening to loads
anything that you took from that experience regardless
of soul music, but in the context of the album it doesn’t
of the outcome?
necessarily translate. I was really influenced by people like Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield....not emo at all, these
That it would have been easier to just be a three piece rock
beautiful soul records, which I was getting a lot of comfort
band, turn everything up and do some songs. Easy. Record
from when I was going through a difficult situation at the
everything in the place down there like loads of great
time. Sometimes I think, ‘Pull your socks up mate, get a
records have done, but it just became apparent that I didn’t
grip, get a job’, what with all the ballads, but that’s just
want to make a record like that. I wanted to do something
the stuff I was into at the time. Elliott and Vinny were
else. It was hard on the boys though...I just didn’t want to
understanding though as they could see what was going on
be doing a rocking, bang it out record, didn’t want to make
in my personal life. I’m kinda embarrassed by certain songs
a record for the sake of it just so we could go on tour.
on the record though because I’m not usually like this. I wanted to make something that was real. We did a few bits There are some amazing characters on this album too,
there, like that soul cover that we released and ‘White Male
both producer Marta Salogni and Jason Pierce (of
Carnivore’....I just try not to get too bogged down, you just
Spiritualized) how did these collaborations come about?
have to do it and you’ll hopefully surprise yourself. Then you’re left going, wow, that’s mad, how did that happen? I could never do that again. And then you do...
Marta’s wicked, I bumped into her and she’s like, ‘What are you doing?’ and I was just like ‘come down to the studio, we haven’t got any money, we’re not doing contracts or any of that nonsense.’ So she joined on the weekend, she’s great, she did stuff with Bjork. We shared sensibilities about guitar music and how it should be relevant and how you make a record that sounds exciting - we wanted it to be sonically bigger but without sounding like a rock opera or Meatloaf. And then Jason’s a friend, I met him when I sold him a table while I was working a stall at Spitalfields market. With Jason it’s more the little details.
21
YAK
shop.soyoungmagazine.com
The Orielles The Orielles’ glistening and fresh take on guitar pop has
Maybe that was because we have the album under our belt,
opened some big doors for them this year. Their debut
we have the validation of fans and audiences that liked the
album ‘Silver Dollar Moment’ symbolised a triumph for
album. That gives the confidence to create something new.
alternative music in general. We caught up with sisters Sidonie and Esme Hand-Halford after they’d just returned
Esme: We’re also seeing that one of the tracks off the
from Iceland.
album called ‘Old Stuff New Glass’ was one of the one’s we channeled most of our own music tastes into. We enjoy
From the outside your year has been huge, how’s it all
playing it live and it’s one of our favourites on Spotify
felt at your end?
which shows it’s got a good reaction. So it’s helpful to write something more in that style and take onboard what we
Esme: From our perspective it’s felt less crazy than other
enjoyed but also what other people enjoyed listening to. It’s
people have been seeing it. When you’re in the band it’s
given us a bit more direction really.
hard to take yourself out of it and view it from a different perspective. For us it’s been really fun to be honest, we’ve
Tell us a bit about the new single, it’s got a different
been constantly playing and recording so we couldn’t ask
groove to it?
for much more. Sid: We wrote that during summer in and out of festivals. You’ve ticked off some great things though?
We’d have practices during the week and then do festivals on the weekend. So I guess that conveys the fun we had. It
Sid: Yeah definitely, we’ve kind of been non-stop this year.
was the first song we’ve written with Alex on the keys as
Just doing so many gigs in different and unconventional
well.
venues has been really fun. Obviously just to travel the UK and Europe is really fun because you see different crowds
Esme: I definitely felt it was within our conscience to write
and make new friends.
a tune that was fitting all of these festival vibes. Obviously over the summer we’ve seen so many bands and DJ’s so
Does the album feel like a long time ago to you now?
I think that was all channeled into the track. It’s got that festival season energy in it.
Esme: February feels like ages ago to be honest. This year has absolutely flown by. To think it’s nearly been a year
So you’re not going to write a dark tune anytime soon
since the album dropped, it’s actually quite scary.
then?
It’s a huge undertaking to put a record out, has it given
Sid: We have actually written a darker track funnily
you more confidence?
enough, we saw Mogwai play at Latitude festival and were completely blown away. That inspired us to write an
Sid: I think so, particularly with releasing this new single,
emotional prog tune.
we felt a bit more leniency in terms of what we could do with it.
25
Words by Rhys Buchanan, illustration by Cerys Scorey
Esme: It’s also good to expect the unexpected with us in
I guess working with Heavenly is naturally quite
a way. We never want to stick to one genre or one thing.
inspiring?
We like to challenge ourselves and also play music that comes really naturally to us, that leaves us bouncing around
Sid: Those guys are great, they’re super easy to work with
different genres. I guess our set up lends itself to that as
and a lot of fun as well. They constantly introduce us
well. We’ve even thought about shifting the lineup around.
to other bands on the label as well so we’ve made some amazing friends there. They’re all super nice and that’s what
You’ve got a big run of shows lined up in February, it
I love about being on Heavenly the most. It’s definitely
must be an exciting time?
more of a community.
Sid: We wanted to hit some places that we’d missed and
In terms of new material, is the single a precursor to
we’ve not played in a while. So we’re doing smaller venues
something bigger?
and stuff which will be really fun. At the back end of 2018 we’ve been used to playing larger venues so it will be fun to
Sid: Yes we’ve started writing for the next album, we’re
go back to smaller venues. I kind of prefer those.
about half way through. It’s quite far from a finished thing but that’s the next thing that’ll be on the way. After doing
Do you feel like you owe a lot to the smaller venues?
the first one the second is slightly scary. It will be quite a big change in direction I think though so it’s very exciting.
Esme: Oh yeah, for sure. A prime example of that is Hebden Bridge Trades Club which was always our local when we were growing up as teenagers. So many sick bands came through there that we got the chance to see. It reminds us to play these smaller towns as other people might be thinking the same thing. Sid: Starting out we used to play to the support bands and the sound guy. It makes us appreciate these bigger moments way more. When we played at The Garage in London it was sold out and that felt huge. Some bands jump straight into that but because we’ve worked our way up and seen the arse-end of things, we appreciate these moments. Do you get nervous about big opportunities like that? Esme: I don’t think we do to be honest. Just because we’ve been playing for so long, I feel like we’ve already faced every put down and every rejection already. It’s almost like there’s nothing we’re afraid of now. We definitely were nervous when we were younger and growing into the band. It’s good to persist through it and not let it get you down.
27
The Orielles
michael-cox.co.uk
The Chats The Chats are a straightforward band. They combine
We kinda just went into it with a vague idea of what we
raucous live shows with the knowledge that ‘punk’ isn’t
wanted it to look like and what we wanted to wear. We had
something you can take too seriously in 2018. But beneath
a few ideas about the drowning scene and the Centrelink
it all is a plan: a plan to have as much fun as they possibly
office scene, but overall it was a really messy day of
can before life starts to interfere. Their greatest strength is
filming. We had to rush it into about three hours because
their self-awareness. A quality fully-displayed on ‘Smoko’
it was gonna start raining and we didn’t want our drum kit
a song about being young and pissed-off on Queensland’s
and guitars to get wet. Matt [The Chats’ drummer] wasn’t
Sunshine Coast. The song’s video currently has 4.8 million
even around for half of the day, we just ran into him near
views on YouTube, and it’s popularity has single-handedly
the beach because he’d just knocked off work and his phone
revitalised the mullet. Not bad for a track with liberal use
was flat. Pretty lucky we found him. We weren’t at all
of ‘Australianisms’. They’ve self-released two records
prepared for the attention it got, it was insane to us. It’s still
thus far and there’s plenty more to come from the Aussie
pretty hard for us to wrap our heads around it, even a year
trio. Fresh from their first UK tour, we sat down with the
later.
mullet-sporting Eamonn, bassist and vocalist of The Chats Most people would feel pretty stupid acting the way you
to discuss punk, jetlag and internet celebrity.
do in the ‘Smoko’ video but you seem pretty nonplussed. Hailing from Australia, you guys must do a lot of
What was the last properly stupid thing The Chats did
travelling. Do you get on each other’s nerves during long
on or off stage?
journeys and do you have any tips for jet lag? Mate, we’ve done sooo many stupid things on and off stage. The UK tour was our first time overseas actually. We all get
There was this one show where me and Pricey [Josh Price,
on each other’s nerves but at the end of the day we’re like
guitarist] were crowdsurfing during Smoko but still trying
brothers and we love each other (and hate each other too).
to play our guitars. And there were about ten people on
Jet lag is fine as long as you stay awake the whole day when
stage just dancing, while our guitars kept cutting out. That
you land, and keep powering on until the night.
rendition of Smoko went for about seven minutes.
Over here people definitely have a preconceived idea
Are you ever concerned that you’ll never be taken
of what Australians are like. Do you see yourself as
seriously because many of your fans came to you through
alternative ambassadors for Australia?
something humorous?
Not really. I don’t think anyone really thinks of themselves
Nah we don’t really care. We love to take the piss and just
as ambassadors per se. The term “Aussie icons” gets
have a good time. We never wanted to be taken seriously to
thrown around a lot, but we’re just normal blokes. We’re no
be honest, but it’s cool when people do.
different to any other Australians really. Being honest, how much forethought went into the ‘Smoko’ Video and were you in any way prepared for its overnight success?
Words by Alex Mistlin, illustration by REN
32
The Starlight Magic Hour ‘The End of The Party’, such is titled the new offering from
I’ve noticed a slight change, there seems to be more
Starlight Magic Hour, begins with some form of flaccid-
Manchester bands and gig goers that are into what we’re
discordant whistling, and ends with a cult-worthy treatise
doing now. It’s a strange one though because there’s no
on humanity. Having been described as everything from
doubt London has always given us the better reception.
the Fall to the Pogues, and eventually just Lou Reed doing
Most people think we’re a London band, I don’t think it
Berlin, what is clear is the lack of need for comparison.
matters too much. The gap between the Northern music
What this Manchester-ish band have done is put out a
scenes and Southern ones needs to be bridged because there
piece of art, both supremely personal and smarting in raw
are plenty of great bands knocking about all over Britain.
nerve against the banal wind of reality. Starlight are a band imagined for the late nights of a sleepover, when your
I know narcotics have been a pervading influence in the
friend’s mum is getting bdsm-fucked and you’ve been left
formation in the way Starlight have created, and the way
up late to watch a low budget horror film. Listen to this
you live. How has being known as a troupe known for
band for their horrific narrative, but get hooked for their
hedonism informed the music you make?
ability to compile all ascribed influence and come out with something that makes you feel [ORIGINALLY] sick.
There have been undeniable problems within the band, things that have held us back. At first it may help in the
Listening to the new EP, what really comes across is
creation process when you’re sat on Logic but eventually
the desire to embed a listener into the narrative, and
it’s nothing more than a burden. In the end it’s inhibiting.
the world it inhabits. Could you tell us a bit about the
Unfortunately, being in a band isn’t just about the live
theme, and the inspiration behind it?
shows where you can let loose, you need to deal with the promoters, labels and people generally; and nobody wants
The narrative we have planned for our albums has been
to work with someone who can’t wrap their tongue around
discussed a few times, it will be there throughout the songs
a word. Being barred from a venue in Blackpool gave us
and albums we put out in the immediate future. Lyrically,
the shake-up I needed. I say I because I can’t imagine how
things have to have a start, middle and an end for me. Lyrics
much worse it was for the rest of the guys.
are everything to me and they have to come from something or somewhere real to really connect with people. Lyrics
Something that strikes is the willingness to, musically
can take you anywhere emotionally and mean a million
and lifestyle-wise, inhabit the ‘outsider’ role. Beyond
different things to a million different people but they’re
that, what do the Starlight Magic Hour stand for? And
personal to me. If other people can connect with that in any
what, if anything, is the message you are trying to get
way, then that’s good. I feel the story has become more self-
across?
explanatory with the release of the EP. The main theme we’re trying to get across on these specific Coming from Salford, you’ve managed to make a name
albums we have planned is the cycle of abuse. People often
for yourself more in the London set rather than in
mistake our message as one of hate but it’s the opposite.
Manchester. How, if at all, has the reception to you guys
The larger message is one of love. If you can show mercy to
changed on the back of the EP?
those that have caused you harm, you’re breaking the cycle. Everybody wants to be loved.
25 33
Words Words by by Elly Dan Watson, Pare, illustration by Kingston Josh Whettingsteel Poplar
26
Who are Just Mustard Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make? Italia 90 We are from Dundalk, Ireland and we make noise and Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and
trip hop inspired repetitive music with guitars, vocals and
about the music you make?
drums.
We are Captain ACAB, J Dangerous, Les Miserable &
What’s special about where you’re from? Has it inspired
Bobby Portrait. Together we are Italia 90. Formerly from
your music?
the South coast but all been in London together for the last Dundalk and its people have a very strong and legitimate
5/6 years.
sense of local pride and identity. The lack of anything to do Can you tell us the story behind one of your songs?
except eat or go to the pub definitely helps force people to do something creative, out of boredom.
The song Mobile Reassurance Unit is about the way that the police continue to operate in the same ways they always have, marginalising, profiling and attacking people, but they now do it from behind a cuddly and approachable image.
Creatures
The idea being that they have somehow changed their ways and cleaned themselves up from the inside. Mobile
Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and
Reassurance Units are a real thing, and that song was
about the music you make?
written after seeing one out in central London. We’re Creatures don’t you know! All coming from villages in the Northamptonshire area we all migrated to London and finally settled in Clapton. Our music is a cross between crooner pop and dirty western desert riffs. Occasionally we throw in a Hawaiian number for good measure. How did you find each other? Quite awkward at first…
25 35
Words by Elly Watson, illustration by Josh Whettingsteel
Desire
Cruelty
We’re Desire, the voice of the higher classes. Met in
What’s special about where you’re from? Has it inspired
Brighton but now London based. We just write as much
your music?
as possible and we play any gig. The bombay bad boy pot noodle in music form.
Cruelty was born in Bristol’s DIY Punk scene. We feel we are both a part of it and a reaction to it. There is
How did you find each other?
some incredibly exciting music happening in and around Bristol right now and we feel so honoured to be in such a
Drinks
supportive and creative environment. Bristol’s location is amazing as well, Cardiff has such a unique and exciting
What led you to form a band? A particular happening or
scene, and being so close we really try to be involved with
mutual love for a record or sound?
that.
Without sounding brexit we all love to get up and play
Can you tell us the story behind one of your songs?
British music. I guess playing in the hardcore punk scene rubs off on you too. We wanna make hits not knock off Fall
The lyrics for our single ‘Disgraced’ were written in one
tunes.
sitting and not really edited much afterwards. It was during quite a distressing time and was a cathartic outpouring of bottled up emotion. The words don’t really exist there to tell a strict narrative (although I’m sure a narrative could
Honey Lung
be applied), instead they were purely a reaction to mental health issues.
Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make? We’re Honey Lung, a 4 piece alternative rock band from
Hummah
the suburbs of London. Jamie sings and plays guitar, Harry plays lead guitar, Dave plays bass and Omri plays the
We are HUMMAH from London, we’ve been making
drums. We like to make melodic, introspective rock playing
sounds together for the last few months
heavily on the themes of depression, anxiety, loss and love. Can you tell us something that you collectively really What led you to form a band? A particular happening or
love?
mutual love for a record or sound? Happy endings We started out with basing the band on the concept of writing over the top riffy rock with a certain honesty and
Can you tell us something that you collectively hate?
seriousness to it. We still keep to that ethos, but over the past couple of years we’ve looked deeper into ourselves.
Bullies
We aren’t the same kids that we were when we first started out. The direction we’re heading into is a more lyrical, introspective narrative written with more layers, textures and sounds. Right now we’re listening to bands like Sparklehorse, Modest Mouse, Grandaddy, Wilco and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
36
Drenge Drenge are a band with fans in high places. Their self-
There weren’t many choruses on that first record! I’m not
titled debut was praised across the board and they received
sure we’ve become quieter since then but we’ve become
memorable (if unsolicited) co-signs from Tom Watson MP
more interested in using different dynamics. It’s quite odd
and Kanye West. Drenge describe upcoming record ‘Strange
but when we started we didn’t have complex ideas about
Creatures’ as their ‘nocturnal record’ but the Loveless
what Drenge’s musical output would be. You just want to
brothers have a sunny disposition. They make an irreverent
get all your emotions out. Making these records over the
pair who aren’t afraid to finish each other’s sentences, often
years has been a bit like learning in public and after ten
with a cheeky metaphor. So Young spoke with frontman
years you do start contradicting the things you said at the
Eoin and drummer Rory to discuss Pixar, free shoes and
beginning. It would be simpler to keep being the band we
embracing the chorus.
started out being but to be honest it doesn’t really interest either of us.
Where does the ‘Autonomy’ EP fit in with the history of Drenge as a band? Would you say it’s been a natural
You’ve said the new album is more complex and more
progression from ‘Undertow’ to ‘Strange Creatures’?
interesting to you both. How else would you describe the sound of the new album?
We recorded a bunch of songs and we had maybe a bit too much for an album. The four songs on there sounded a bit
We’ve used more instruments including keyboards and
closer to our older stuff and we felt Autonomy fit quite
synths. We’ve used different time signatures. ‘Strange
nicely between the new record and our older stuff. You
Creatures’ is kind of like a psychological mystery as
know when you go and see Incredibles 2 there’s the little
opposed to the straight-up slash and stab, 70s gore film that
cartoon before; that’s the EP! It’s a little taster that allows
is the first record. Thematically, it’s more like the second
you to familiarise yourself with the cannon. It allows the
record [Undertow].
audience to kinda settle down. As young guys who make a living out of music are you Is it a real fear for you guys that people have busy lives
optimistic about the future of music?
and they might have forgotten Drenge exist over the last couple of years?
I think because we’ve been inspired by lots of DIY bands from the 80s and we grew up with an interest in being anti-
It’s a reality for us. Do you remember the first time you
consumerist and counter-cultural, seeing lots of bands, like
came home from uni and your dog just didn’t give shit?
ourselves, sponsored by shoe brands is a bit…
You thought he loved you but he was actually completely nonplussed about it. We think it’s a bit like that.
Is that something you wouldn’t do?
Do you think that you’ve become quieter or more
Sometimes you fight it and sometimes it wins! I can’t say
conventional as you’ve began to mature as a band?
that we haven’t played a stage that’s been advertised by a shoe brand or even been given some free shoes. It’s a very
The songwriting has matured and we’ve started listening to
strange dichotomy the whole thing but we recognise that it’s
different things. Some of our early stuff didn’t really have
the reality of being in music isn’t it?
much of a conventional structure to it.
Words by Alex Mistlin, illustration by Anna Sarvira
38
Lady Bird As this interview is conducted, Lady Bird are in the midst
Sam: Thanks ever so much, it was quite a profound
of a UK tour with home-grown friends and label mates,
experience for me, also. I developed the condition following
Slaves. It couldn’t be more ideal; both create energetic,
a problematic operation on my vocal chords in 2015, the
snotty lad ballads bound by a brash, Kent accent, a tongue
recovery was strung out and merged into a crippling anxiety
in cheek narrative and the occasional upturned Fred Perry
towards using my voice. I was fortunately able to break out
collar. Similarities aside however, Lady Bird have plumbed
of this cycle following 3 months of silence at the beginning
more emotional depths this year than other bands in their
of the summer, during which time we wrote Reprisal. I’m
position could possibly imagine and their insight taps in to
no longer affected by the condition, and it’s been beneficial
a whole new generation of young men battling within the
to share the breakthrough with others who are experiencing
rigid limitations of masculinity.
challenges in their lives.
I don’t know much about Tunbridge Wells but I read a
I read that you’re a Buddhist - when did you get in to
few articles where it was christened the ‘drugs capital
that?
of South East England’ and was once referred to as ‘Britain’s debt capital’, although I don’t know if that’s
Sam: I was introduced to Nicherin Buddhism in 2013 by
still true. Can you confirm any of this and how has the
a producer who had met the philosophy through a thread
town shaped your music in general?
of jazz instrumentalists including Bennie Mauphin, Buster Williams and Herbie Hancock. I’ve met lots of creative
Joe: Haha, they’re both pretty dark associations aren’t
people through Buddhism and have learned that many other
they? There was definitely a lot of drugs about when we
musicians are also into it. Tina Turner has a great film
were teenagers which I guess a lot of people would think
capturing her experience meeting Buddhism called ‘What’s
is significant. It’s just a part of life though isn’t it - another
Love Got To Do With It’.
thing to think about and decide how you want to interact with it. Sam’s lyrics on our first EP speak about a character
Which living person do you most admire and why?
caught up in substance abuse as a metaphor for making effort to break the vicious cycles which can box our lives
Joe: I know so many people who have done amazing things
in and make us feel disempowered. The greatest influence
and especially overcome really challenging situations with
on our music from home is The Forum, the family there,
their lives. This might sound put on but I want to say Sam
and the supportive families we’re blessed to have by blood
and Alex. I think we’re part of a generation where the
and friendship all around. Feeling rooted definitely helps
nature of being a young man is in transition and it can be
us to be confident. I think that makes it easier to spend a
really overwhelming at times. I don’t have any peers who
lot of time on the move and disconnected from any real
engage with their demons so tenaciously and with as much
steadiness.
willingness to confront what’s not right inside them and do something about it like these two. We put a lot of time
Sam, I watched your Guardian documentary not too
and effort into supporting each other and I think that’s a
long ago and first and foremost, can I just say I found it
powerful contribution to a world which tempts us to be
profoundly moving and inspiring. I hadn’t been aware
defeatist or nihilistic.
of your condition until watching the video - how are you coping currently?
25 39
Words Words by by Elly Harley Watson, Cassidy, illustration illustration by Josh by Holly Whettingsteel St Clair
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Artists
Josh Whettingsteel Bryony Loveridge Jolanda Jokinen Nada Hayek Ellen Lee
Kenzi Inouye
Editors Sam Ford
Alex Ram
Antonio Giovanni Pinna Sam Moore
Josh Whettingsteel
Jonathan Vermersch
Writers
Andreea Dobrin Dinu
Tjaša Cizej
Rob Knaggs
Rhi Harper
Dan Pare
Michael Cox
Elly Watson
Kingston Poplar
Rhys Buchanan
Holly St Clair
Harley Cassidy
Marta Cubeddu
Printed By
Kaitlin O’Connor
Eleanor Philpot
Cerys Scorey
Sam Ford
REN
Josh Whettingsteel
Anna Sarvira
Alex Mistlin
Alex Brown
Juuli Miettila
Ex Why Zed
Vitoria Bas
Photos for Collage
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