21 minute read
PEACH PIT
from CLUNK Magazine 003
THE ROAD AHEAD
AS THEY EMBARK ON THEIR North American tour, I sat down for a zoom call with Peach Pit’s singer/ guitarist Neil Smith. The indie-pop four-piece are buzzing to finally get a chance to play songs off not one, but two new albums. Their second album ‘You and Your Friends’, was released in April 2020, days before the pandemic cancelled all their upcoming shows. Now, after the release of ‘From 2 to 3’ in March of this year, they have even more new songs to try and cram into a set list.
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WORDS: SAM STONE PICTURES: MACKENZIE WALKER
Neil is instantly likeable. He’s down to earth and super nice, living up to every cartoonish stereotype of polite and friendly Canadians. He double checks that the interview will be in print so that his freshout-the shower wet hair won’t be a problem and empathises as I apologise for cancelling our initial interview because I had the flu.
After this mutual reassurance, we got on to discussing the inspirations behind ‘From 2 to 3’, how Vancouver has shaped their sound, and the importance of packing lots of socks for a long tour.
How did Peach Pit form and what has the band’s journey has been like so far?
“The four of us became friends when we were like 20 years old. I was living with my parents in Vancouver, and I kept running into Chris, our guitar player, like at the dock at night smoking weed or we’d be at the skate park or something. Eventually, we were like “We keep running into each other, we should just start hanging out, we seem like we like to do the same things”. A few months after that, we went to a music festival in Vancouver together and that night started playing some playing guitars. We were like, “This is so sick, man. We should make a band!” and then we got a bit of hangover embarrassment the next day. Anyway, then we came home and decided we had to try and do it, so that’s kind of how the band started.”
What was making ‘From 2 to 3’ was like compared to working on your first two albums?
“I think because it’s our third album, a lot of the anxieties about releasing music or the unnecessary pressure that people can put on themselves got lifted a little bit. We put out our first album and your first one, you don’t even really know what you’re doing, you just have have enough songs to make an album. Then our second one was our first time releasing a record with Columbia. We’d never been on a big record label before so we kind of felt like “Oh, shit, this better be good or no one’s ever going to listen to us ever again”. Then this time around, we realised that nothing really matters other than just making music that we like to make and trying to have fun while we’re doing it. That’s the most important part about making music for us. This record was cool, it was very freeing, I think we felt like we could do whatever we wanted. We could make the kind of songs that we want wanted to make at the time. We took the pressure off ourselves and felt like, “Hey, if this one doesn’t work out, we can always make another album after this.””
I was going to ask if the positive response to your second album, ‘You and Your Friends’, meant there was any pressure to go in a particular direction with the third album, but it sounds like the whole
process has been very freeing.
“Yeah, definitely. I don’t think there was any pressure to do really anything. Our record label is super cool. They’re very supportive and just let us do whatever we think is best as far as making music and music videos and stuff, which is awesome. Outside of that, I think one of our goals is to try to make albums that don’t sound necessarily the same as the one before it. That can be hard because, we’re still the same four musicians, working on albums together so you’re naturally going to fall into the same kind of themes. We want each record to move in a different direction, mostly because it keeps it fresh for us too.”
Could you tell me more about making ‘Being So Normal’ and ‘You and Your Friends?’
“With our first album, ‘Being So Normal’, our friend recorded it for us, and he gave us a really good deal. We didn’t spend very much money making that record. That was super lo-fi. At the time, Mac DeMarco was like the God of all rock Gods to us, and he was making music that was pretty lo-fi. On ‘You and Your Friends’, we got to work with John Congleton who produced the record. It was the first time working with a producer who had a bunch of credits to their name and was a well-respected producer in the music industry. That was a totally different experience, John definitely put his stamp on it. This time around, we really knew what we were doing so we trusted our instincts a lot more and weren’t afraid to stand up for what we wanted things to be like. I think we finally made a record where we felt like we controlled the whole thing all the way through.”
How has your writing and recording process changed over the years?
“This time around we wrote a lot of the stuff in studio. Going in, I might have written the lyrics but past that, we hadn’t put too much thought into how to we were were going to arrange things or what kind of instrumentation we wanted.
I think a lot of songwriters are like this, but you can be very, precious about your writing. When you write something and then somebody critiques it, sometimes it’s not the easiest thing to take. But over the years, I’ve become more trusting in Chris, Pete, and Mikey, and because of that we become more collaborative. I think it’s just made our music a lot better, because I’m not such a whiny little baby.”
What was some of the music that inspired ‘From 2 to 3’?
“The one record that I’ve been mentioning a lot is Paul McCartney’s, first solo record after the Beatles called Ram. It’s a record that he recorded and wrote with his wife, Linda. I’ve always been a Beatles fan, but it wasn’t until maybe four years ago that we were all chilling and Mikey put on RAM while we were hanging out one night and I’d never heard the record before. I was like, “What is this? This is really cool”. I got like, obsessed with that album and then the other guys kind of followed suit and got really into that record. It spawned this resurgence of interest in classic bands for us. We got really into the Beatles, Neil Young, Tom Petty, The Traveling Wilburys, and lots of Paul McCartney.”
If you were to recommend one song from that record, what would you want people to listen to?
“That’s so hard, there’s so many good songs on it. The first song, ‘Too Many People’, is really dope and ‘Monkberry Moon Delight’ is a cool song. It has everything on it, blues songs, rock songs, pop songs, ballads… ‘Heart Of The Country’ might be my favourite song on the record. It’s really good.”
Your music videos are all directed by Lester Lyons-Hookham, can you tell me about that relationship?
“Lester is awesome. He’s been with us since we first started the band. He was born and raised in London then moved over to Vancouver. I met Lester when I was 20 or 21, working at an outdoor store, stocking supplies at night. He was the only other young dude around my age. He was a skater and liked cool music so right away we became super close buddies. We would save up our breaks so we could have an hour and a half go and skateboard around the parking lot. I told him I
was in a band, and we needed someone to shoot a music video for us. He was like, “Oh, I went to art school, and I made movies in school. I’d be down to help you guys do that”. Then so we made a music video together and he killed it. Now, eight years later, he’s full-time music video director.
We’ve made every single video with him. To me, he’s like, the fifth member of our band, for sure. He’s worked with us on every project and helps us with all the visuals… outfits, videos, record designs and everything. I trust him more than anybody in the world honestly, like he’s got the best instincts and is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met easily. It’s awesome.”
How has your experience of the DIY scene in Vancouver influenced you as a band?
“Vancouver has a cool DIY music scene. When we were first starting out, we would hear about these shows happening dingy warehouses or in basements of houses. There was one called ‘Trash City Productions’ that was run by a girl named Maddie. She was probably like, 16, when went to see a couple of Trash City shows and I remember being like, “oh, man, I want to play a show”. The height of cool to me was to play a Trash City show. I emailed her, and she was like, “Yeah, I’d love to book you guys for a show”. We totally started out playing in all those kinds of rooms. I think it was good for our development as a band, because it’s hard to sound good in those shitty places with bad PA systems and just packed full of kid. Also, there’s a lot of inspiring bands in that scene who put on really great shows. It was cool to come up in that scene and learn how to play music from all those other bands. I know it makes playing shows in nicer venues way easier because it sounds really good and it’s really easy to hear yourself.” What are some of the most exciting acts you coming out of Vancouver right now?
“Haley Blais has been opening for us on the whole North America tour. She’s awesome, a fantastic songwriter and a really great performer. We’re also good friends with a band called Babe Corner that’s fronted by Chris’s fiancé Lindsay. They’ve been putting out some really great tunes recently and they’ve just finished recording a record. Also, I became friends over the past couple years with a band called Bratboy that’s more punk, hardcore almost, but they got some pop sensibilities too. They’re really rad. I’ve never really listened to any harder music before except for maybe ACDC when I was in high school or something. They’ve got great videos and they put on a sick live show. I got to stop myself because there’s literally so many great bands in Vancouver.”
You mentioned that you’ve just started this big tour, how do you stay sane when you’re touring for so long? Have you picked up any tips over the years?
“Yeah, we’ve definitely figured out lots of stuff over the years. This North America tour is going to be really fun and easy for us because it’s the first time we get to be in a tour bus. It’s very relaxing because after the show, you get into the bus, you hang out with all the and then you get to sleep through the night and wake up in the next city. The travelling is cut down hugely, so it’s already been awesome. But when we’re in the over in Europe, we’ll be back in a van. You’ve got to pack lots of socks and lots of underwear. That’s number one. You got to have fresh socks and underwear all the time. It helps you feel good. We try to have lots of good snacks in the van too. Especially in In Europe, stopping at the truck stops, on the side of the road is so much nicer than in North America. You can get like some prosciutto, some brie, like a nice piece of bread and make yourself a sandwich for super cheap. We love touring though. It’s tiring but it’s just very fun. We get burnt out, I guess sometimes, but we’re on the road touring around the world. It’s a total dream come true, we feel very lucky.”
Are there any shows in particular that you’re looking forward to on this tour?
“We’re going to Florida later this year, although that’s not on this tour. We’re playing Kentish Town Forum in London. From what I gathered; it seems like a big venue so that’s going to be cool.
We’re playing lots of great venues on the road but in our hometown, there’s a place called the Commodore Ballroom, and it’s been around for almost 100 years. It’s a really, really cool venue. I have a picture on my wall at home of my great grandma and my great grandpa at the Commodore ballroom back when it was like a full-on dancing ballroom, drinking with their friends and stuff. We’ve never gotten to play it before and it’s probably our number one bucket list venue. When I was 17, I made a fake ID so that I
could go see a show at the Commodore and when I got in, I was so excited. Once we play then there, I will have done everything I ever need to do.”
I know you didn’t get a chance to tour your last record because of the pandemic. What’s it been like playing shows again?
“These past few shows are the first shows that we’ve played in like two years. We put out ‘You and Your Friends’, like the day the pandemic happened so we never got to play those songs. This tour, we’ve been trying to play lots of songs off that record, because we never got to tour it before. You put out music, and you don’t get that feedback from the crowd of like, ‘Oh, these people liked the song or like, the vibes are good, people know the lyrics’. It’s been really cool to play those tunes that we’ve stopped thinking about and it’s kind of brought them new life because people are all singing along to the lyrics and shit. Later on in the year when we tour again, we’ll play more of the stuff of our new album, once people are a bit more familiar with it.”
nice swan RECORDS
Having spent four years working as an A&R talent scout for a major label, Alex Edwards found that his contract was not being renewed. Rather than let it get him down, he used this opportunity to pursue a passion of his. Having grown tired of the major label scene and the frustration of not being able to sign the artists he liked, he got together with friend Pete Heywoode who had already started his own label and Nice Swan records was born. Starting their journey with Dead Pretties (who in turn had Jacob Slater amongst their ranks who can now be seeing playing Paul Cook in the Sex Pistols biopic Pistol), Nice Swan are now creating an army of future heavy hitters. If you want credentials, then look no further than two of their biggest signings. The first, Pip Blom who can count support slots with The Breeders and A-listed radio play on BBC Radio 6 amongst their claims. Secondly is the powerhouse that is Sports Team, a band that has graced the main stage at
WORDS: LUKE JAMES
Reading Festival as well as countless amounts of big-time radio support. When you read about Nice Swan, founders Alex and Pete talk about these bands almost like proud parents and it’s this kind of support and love that is at he very core of any good independent label. As well as proud parents they also make sure that they are good friends with the bands on their label with FIFA tournaments and Whatsapp group chats among the activities that create a community rather than the traditional artist and label divide. If you take a look at their roster now it reads as a veritable who’s who of Clunk favourites. You have Saloon Dion rubbing shoulders with English Teacher, Opus Kink sharing space with FEET. With this impressive stable you also notice that unlike some labels that seem to aim for a certain sound, Nice Swan are just music fans that are happy to sign music they love from post punk to art rock to the electronic indie of Malady. Attending gigs themselves as fans, you know that each band on Nice Swan has the stamp of approval of a band that has to be seen live. With albums on the way from FUR and Pip Bloms and EP’s from Sprints, English Teacher and Jaws The Shark, there’s plenty to be excited about in the future for the label and as festivals get back to their normal schedule, don’t be surprised to see Nice Swan artists peppered across the line ups of several of them. The more you read about Nice Swan records, the more you grow to love them. They are the very epitome of what an independent label should be. A label run by music fans, for music fans and not run by suits who see artists as money but rather friends that see bands as friends that they want to help achieve greatness. With their impressive roster of bands expanding, Nice Swan are definitely a force to be reckoned with.
CHIT-CHAT
MURMAN HAVE BEEN BUILDING momentum for the past few years, but it’s safe to say that 2022 is going shaping up to be their breakout year. They’ve been playing extensively across the country and releasing a string of high-octane singles, including their most recent ‘Falling Down’.
They’re a band with tenacious energy and a real passion for what they do, it is for this reason we were eager to sit down and find out more about the minds behind Murman.
We chat with them about their plans for 2022, energetic live shows, and more!
WORDS: KIERAN WEBBER PICTURES: WILLOW SHIELDS
Hey Murman! Thanks so much for joining us, how are you?
David:“Very very well thank you, it’s been a busy few months.”
How has 2022 been treating you all so far?
Abbi: “I think we can safely say much better than the previous few years! Lots of gigs, recording, and even a mini-tour across the channel, plus Felix got promoted at work so he’s feeling pretty happy about that.”
Felix: “Yes, this year has started really well and we have a lot of great plans coming up. We also had a lot of good feedback from our France tour so hoping to head back before the end of 2022!”
Now, you’ve had a string of single releases in 2022, including your most recent one ‘Falling Down’, what’s the influence behind this track?
Abbi: “I’ll let David go into the deep and meaningful details, but musically it’s the likes of Blondie, Bruce Springsteen, anything with a heavy-hitting drum sound and a sing-along chorus.”
David: “‘Falling down’ references various intimate moments and people in my life and a personal loss, and love, topped off with a big old dollop of self-deprecation, can you tell I’m the singer?”
Did you do anything differently when recording this one?
David: “We recorded with Josh Hayward from The Horrors, the man is a genius. He really got out sound from the get-go, and it was the best/funniest recording experience I think any of us have had.”
Dom: “I feel like we got some space to experiment with new ideas both in the studio and after. You’ll definitely notice it in these new tracks.”
When you get together to record and write what does that process look like?
Abbi: “David usually comes to rehearsals with a song concept he’s thought of in the bath, say a first verse or a chorus, then we start piecing together a structure and where we may want the song to go from there. But Dom’s a bit of a tech wizard, so more recently ideas we’re developing by starting with samples and a computer. It’s very different but opens a lot of doors to other sounds and concepts we can play with.”
How do you transfer your recorded material to a live setting?
David: “We actually start with the live element and try to capture that on the recordings, it’s only since this latest single we are really starting to capture the energy of our live set through the recording, which we’re really happy with. We’re not big on going straight in with demos and instead just really try to focus on nailing the live sound first.”
We’ve experienced your shows in person and they’re absolutely amazing, but if you can, describe them to our readers in four words?
David: “REALLY, REALLY FUCKING GREAT!”
Abbi: “Again, can you tell he’s the singer? Ha, but no, we’d hope that’s what people come away from the gigs thinking! And at the very least people can tell we’re very energetic and driven performers. We want people to have fun watching - and being a part of - our shows.”
When playing live do you have any pre-show rituals? David: “I usually have Abbi reminding (scolding) me to warm my voice up, I have a shot of whisky and Covonia cough medicine and spend about 3 minutes doing my makeup which basically resembles a 70s sex doll!”
Dom: “Tequila shot and a beer, always”
Abbi: “Usually spending 10 minutes prior to going on stage trying to find the rest of the band, 99% of the time locating David in the bathroom putting on eyeliner.”
You have toured fairly extensively and I imagine you’ve got some brilliant stories, could you regale one to us now?
Abbi: “We once supported a guy called BA Johnston at The Finsbury in London, and the majority of the gig ended up taking place in the men’s toilets. Would thoroughly recommend giving him a listen.” Dom: “While playing in France the mosh pit pushed a girl and she ended up face down on my pedal board. We continued the song while searching and successfully retrieving her purse and her phone.”
Lastly, what can we expect from Murman in 2022 and beyond?
David: “I met a guy once called Malcolm Tucker who allegedly inspired the BBC character in The Thick Of It, who told me he was in a band called Elvis and the Cheeseburgers in the 1980s, they had a live review in NME which said “Elvis and the Cheeseburgers should be buried in cement before being allowed to play live again”.
I would love NME to do a similar review of us! I would also love us to do a UK tour and have one of our songs featured in Hollyoaks. Expect bigger bangers, wild shows, and a big fat record deal, I AM READY TO SELL MY SOUL TO THE HIGHEST OR LOWEST BIDDER.”
PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT
LUIS KRAMER
LUIS KRAMER is a 28 year old freelance photographer, illustrator & creative. Born in North London and growing up in Hertfordshire, he’s been exposed to both the city and country with suburbia in between. Giving him the ability to home in his skills in a variety of cultural landscape.
Instagram: @kramerdoingbits
PICTURE: LUIS KRAMER
