PATTERN PUSHER

INTERVIEW

PATTERN PUSHER ON THEIR VISION, post-covid performing and tesco meal deals.

Exeter based trio Pattern Pusher are a sunshine soaked indie-pop band, currently taking the south west by storm. With their tracks brimming with funk and soul, and lyrics fuelled by positivity and hope, it is impossible to listen to their songs and not want to dance. I spoke to Alex Johnstone, Benny Conibear and Benny C to learn more about their dynamic style and all they have to bring to the genre.

WORDS: MILLIE BURDETT PICTURES: BENJAMIN CONIBEAR

First things first, what is your go to Tesco meal deal? You will be judged for this.

Benny G: “Ooo now that is the question.”

Benny C: “I reckon we’ll all say the same drink as it’s a trademark of who we are at this point – original Lucozade.”

Benny G: “I’d go for Sushi, Paprika Crisps and Lucozade.

Alex: “I’d go for the Falafel Wrap, Blue Squares and Lucozade.”

Benny C: “I’d say the Spicy Bean Wrap, Paprika Crisps and of course, Lucozade.”

If you had to define Pattern Pusher in three words, what those three words be?

Alex: “Energetic, uplifting…”

Benny G: “And crunchy.”

Benny C: “Let’s go with that. Energetic. Uplifting. Crunchy.”

When you first started out as a band, did you have a specific vision for the direction of the band? And if so, has that changed? Benny C: “It has changed, but at every stage I think it’s had its own goals. From year to year, we change and things happen. We went through a stage where we were quite synthy and over the top, but I think we’ve refined that over the last year or so. Most recently we’ve been embracing our soul side. And now again we’re going for another re-brand, honing in on something new.” Benny G: “I think if we stayed the same it would get boring.”

I completely agree. By exploring so many different styles, you’re opening up your target audience too. However, if you had to choose one song to represent you as a band, to somebody who is new to your music, what would that song be and why?

Alex: “I like that it’s usually one song that switches it all up, at each stage. I think going forward currently it’ll be more immediate indie pop.” (after much serious discussion and debate…)

Alex: “Okay guys, let’s go with ‘Tonight’.”

Benny G: “Good call.”

Alex: “It’s almost always been the last song we play at most of our gigs, we want to get people dancing.”

Could you each describe a performance that’s been the most meaningful for you?

Alex: “I think my one was at a festival called Altitude.”

Benny C: “I’d agree with that actually.”

Alex: “It was the first performance back after covid – we were doing this ballad called Hey Dude and literally hundreds of people had their phone lights going left to right. It was just one of those moments where we couldn’t believe we were doing it again, we were playing live. Just seeing that crowd – they were with us and we were with them – it was amazing.”

“I WAS DOING TAKE AFTER TAKE AT 11AM, THEN SUDDENLY FROM UPSTAIRS I HEAR AC/DC SHOUTING PASSIVE AGGRESSIVELY BACK AT ME.”

Benny C: “We were really proud of that one. When you have the crowd jumping up and down, you know that you’re doing something right.”

Speaking of covid, how did you manage during that time when it came to producing and promoting your music?

Alex: “The first few months were awful. We were in the process of writing an album anyway, so we were like right, let’s just try to carry on anyway. Poor Benny C would set up his drum set in his room, spend five or so hours recording drums, then me and Benny G within two seconds of hearing them would go no we don’t like them. Whereas if you’re in the studio, we would’ve been able to say that immediately and work something else out.”

Benny C: “As soon as you could meet in outdoor spaces again, we would meet down at the park and just try and do things that way.”

Alex: “I was living in a middle floor flat at the time and we were doing double tracking vocals on this track and it was a really shouty one. I was doing take after take after take at 11am, then suddenly from upstairs I hear AC/ DC shouting passively aggressively back at me, absolutely caning through the floor. And yeah, I just remember sitting there thinking ‘yeah. this sucks’.”

Benny G: “It was just very time consuming, a lot of extra effort had to be put into the process.”

Benny C: “In the same way though, I think it allowed us to regroup and really take a moment to think about our sound going forward. We were doing so much demoing at this point because we didn’t really have anything else to do. But yeah, overall I think it was worthwhile for us as a band to use that time as effectively as we could.” probably another re-brand, change the sound a bit to keep things fresh.”

Benny G: “I’m really excited going forward because I feel there’s lots of pathways opening up, and we don’t know which way we’re going to go, and there’s something really refreshing about that.”

“I’M REALLY EXCITED MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE I FEEL THERE’S A LOT OF PATHWAYS OPENING UP, AND WE DON’T KNOW WHICH WAY WE’LL GO.”

Benny G: “Obviously it was difficult for the shows, even now people are still hesitant to come out and buy tickets early. Yeah, it’s definitely had an effect on us, on all bands. But finally things are starting to pick up again for live shows which is so great.”

It’s been a pleasure talking with you today, Pattern Pusher. My last question for you is - what does the future hold for the band?

Alex: “Festival season is going to be great this summer, especially in Devon and Cornwall. We’ve got lots of shows coming up in the next few months which we’re super excited about. And then yeah, just a lot more song-writing and Benny C: “We feel really confident about where we’re heading, now it’s just a case of about putting things together and getting the music out there for everybody to hear.”

Alex: “You’ve just got to love the journey of it all, that’s what we’ll remember looking back.”

5 questions with BEREN OLIVIA

1. If aliens kidnapped you and said show us the best thing on Earth where would you take them and why?

“I’d probably invite them over for a big family dinner and I’d get my Yiayia (grandma) to cook for them. That’s the most Greek answer ever but could you imagine the scenes - the dinner conversation would be so funny. I’d have so many questions.”

2. What are your tour/ studio essentials?

“On days I’m singing, ask anyone, I drink so much peppermint tea it’s actually impressive. My headphones

WORDS: KIERAN WEBBER PICTURE: MASSI GIORGESCHI

are also a must. It sounds intense, but I like to get into a zone whether it be creative or actually performing. Oh, and also gum. I feel like it helps me think better when I’m in a session - otherwise I just fidget and walk around.”

3. If you could organise a rap battle between two celebrities (or historical figures) who would pick to battle it out?

“Rihanna and Kevin Hart. I’d love to see it. Have you seen the clip of them when Kevin is presenting the award Rihanna wins? It gets me every time.” 4. One overrated food and one underrated?

“I know it’s not exactly food, but I think champagne is so overrated. Does anyone actually like champagne? I feel like as soon as I say I don’t like it, everyone else starts to agree with me and yet we are all sitting there sipping it. The most underrated food for me has to be a Cashew. Peanuts always get the limelight, but I vouch for cashews any chance I get.”

5. One thing you want to achieve in 2022?

“I’d love to play a festival! I think that’s one of my big goals for this year is to play live as much as possible with my amazing band.”