Interview: Sondre Lerche – “It’s a ritual of loneliness and it’s very frustrating and ultimately very rewarding, so I’ll stick with it”

Sondre Lerche

Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche has been releasing albums now for over a decade – since 2001′s Faces Down, he’s released six albums plus a soundtrack for the film Dan In Real Life. Earlier this year, he released his latest, self-titled LP. He recently took some time to answer questions from our very own Charlotte Gay – he discussed the musicians who helped him bring his newest record to fruition, early inspirations and his song-writing process. … Continue Reading

Interview: Breton – “Writing electronic music and then getting humans to play it can sometimes have really interesting results”

Breton

Breton have been impressing us with EPs and live shows since 2010 and the band are currently gearing up to release their debut album early next year on Fat Cat and embark on their first UK headline tour. The South London-based act a little more like a collective – living and working together, creating film and visuals to go alongside their music – in both instances, they seem to overflow with ideas. Jane Corcoran recently put a few questions to band member Roman Rappak for us. … Continue Reading

Interview: Jono McCleery

Jono McCleery

By James Blake

An air of anticipation fills the charming basement venue at the Queen of Hoxton in East London. Soaring strings silence the audience as Jono McCleery takes to the stage to launch his new album There Is. The crowd have already been soothed by Jess Bryant and treated to a rare bluesy-acoustic set from fellow singer songwriter Jamie Woon. Before excitement levels had reached this climatic peak, I caught up with Jono to discuss how the album was put together and what the future holds for the London based artist. … Continue Reading

Interview: Ben Howard

Ben Howard Every Kingdom

By Charlotte Gay

The singer-songwriter Ben Howard has been surfing since he was 11, but his intricate guitar sound is more John Martyn than Jack Johnson. Aged only 24, Howard has secured himself a strong fanbase mainly by word of mouth (although BBC Radio 1, 6 Music and Radio 2 have now come on board in a big way). There is something about his guitar sound that recalls Nick Drake’s complex tunings, while every so often you expect his gently gruff tones to start warbling Martyn’s Bless the Weather. This Devonian musician caught up with our very own Charlotte Gay to exchange a few words before performing at The Old Firestation in Bournemouth.

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VIDEO INTERVIEW: Panic At The Disco reminisce – ponchos, tourbuses and lessons learnt

We caught up with a band who take us back a fair few years now, in fact straight back to Leeds 2006… it’s Panic At The Disco! See how the ‘!’ isn’t bolded too? Well, we caught up with the exclamation mark-less two-some at Leeds 2011 – to talk about what they’ve learnt since starting the band, tourbuses, £2 rain ponchos and lots more.

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VIDEO INTERVIEW: Will Foster The People foster our penguin?

We caught up with the LA hotshots Foster The People, at Leeds festival – to see if they were suitable candidates for fostering our cuddly penguin. And to answer a few Very Serious Questions too. Here it is:

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The Blackout talk Pledge Music, MCR and more – backstage at Leeds

We caught up with the Wales’ finest in post-hardcore, The Blackout, at Leeds festival – to talk about touring with My Chemical Romance, hiring a fan as a roadie, working with Pledge Music and more.

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Muso’s Guide vs. CocknBullKid

We caught up with the brilliant, brilliant CocknBullKid at Latitude festival, to talk about her writing for popstars and her own album, Adulthood:

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Interview: Fantasy Rainbow

Interview by Louise Coles

In his short recording career, Fantasy Rainbow (a.k.a. one man act Oliver Catt) has already drawn complimentary comparisons to the likes of Deerhunter, No Age and Wavves. His restless, mischievious lo-fi experimental tendencies belies a pop nous with a youthful vigour. The sunny, hazy melodic tone of his records are filled with a bittersweet pang of a young age coming to an end. Here Oliver chats to us about youth, new beginnings, and his choice of mayonnaise over ketchup… … Continue Reading

VIDEO: A chat with Example, backstage at The Big Chill

We caught up with Example at The Big Chill Festival backstage – he was nearly exactly midway through his run of festivals. Here’s what happened…

Here is a full review of The Big Chill , if you’re into that sort of thing.

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