So Young Issue Nineteen

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

Email

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info@soyoungmagazine.com

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Art Direction

www.joshwhettingsteel.com

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