Words by Percy Walker-Smith
What have you all been up to since finishing the tour in October ’19?
Ozzy:
I’ve been writing pretty much every single day, I realised that to get into that schedule I would have to force myself to work like that, I have to work for rent for at least 2 days a week, but the rest I prioritise. It’s been amazing to get into a routine where I feel like I’m actually writing new things every day. After I had some stuff I felt proud of and that sounded like Swim Deep, I showed it to the boys and we started rehearsing it before we went and recorded it, this way we could test the dynamics of it as a band before recording it.
James:
We’ve been very busy actually. The UK tour finished in October ’19 but after that we were only home for two weeks before we went out on tour to Asia for a month. We’re lucky to have quite a big fanbase in places like Thailand and China! By the time we got home it was Christmas, and then in the New Year we’ve been developing Ozzy’s tunes and then recording them at Big Jelly in Ramsgate. Then we’re back to Thailand for another show in March!
Which of your records are you most proud of so far?
Ozzy:
I think we’re super proud of all of them, all in totally different ways. Even the band that weren’t involved in the first album can be proud of how we play those songs live now you know?
The first one got us jobs in music, and made us believe in ourselves, it was pure joy and first-time experiences, nothing will ever touch that.
The second one proved to us that this is what we should be doing and proved that we could push ourselves to different sounds and landscapes.
The third one was essential in keeping this band together, it was the final push over the trenches and somehow, we made it out the other side still fighting. It taught us that we love this band and that we’ll do anything for each other.
Has Harry Styles been in touch?
Ozzy:
He has! But that’s all top secret [at least until *it* gets announced…] He also plays footy with me and Cav sometimes. He’s truly a star, and a really great CAM too.
It was really great that he wore our Emerald Classics tee in that Rolling Stone shoot earlier this year. It was incredible for us in terms of exposure – it makes you realise how band merch can be so important, so much music has been discovered that way. It was amazing for us to see people listening to our music just from that photo.
How did your tour in Asia compare with your UK tour last year?
Ozzy:
It was so different, you can’t compare, they were both so amazing. We meet some incredible people at our gigs. The England one was almost like reuniting with a lot of fans and also meeting so many new ones, means the world that there’s new kids coming through being inspired too. That’s always a big goal of ours, because we were those kids that needed inspiring too.
James:
A lot of the times when we’ve played in Asia it feels like we’re absolutely massive. We got to perform at 20,000-person capacity festival in Guangzhou, for example, on the main stage, second from headline. We were the only Western band on the line-up. And this was a big festival: four stages of music over two days. So, it makes you feel really special to have so many people there for you!
And of course, it’s always a joy to travel and perform in different countries of the world. It can be beautiful, exciting, scary and exhausting – and all of those experiences help to shape the band over time.
Is there any music in the works? If so, what are its main influences – musical and/or otherwise?
Ozzy:
Yes! We just finished recording at big jelly in Ramsgate. I had like 10 songs I showed the guys and we recorded 4 of them. I think they might be great. Different, of course lol, but great. Big influences being Sandy Alex g, Elliot Smith, Caroline Polocheck, pc music, Charlie XCX, Yo La Tengo, Frank Ocean. I’ve become quite obsessed with minimal landscape pop music that sounds super emotional with robotic textures.
James:
As always, it feels like a distinctly new chapter in the band’s career – we’ve tried to do something different again. Ozzy’s outdone himself this time with some of his song writing, so everything feels really exciting again.
Who is your favourite ‘Finding Nemo’ character and why?
Ozzy:
Dory, she’s a joker and she doesn’t give a fuck about being different.
James:
I think I watched Finding Dory at the cinema, but I was so drunk that I don’t remember any of it. I think there was an octopus in it. Was there an octopus in it? I’m going to go with the octopus.
Favourite chocolate bar with a well thought through reasoning, PLEASE.
Ozzy:
It’s a toss-up between Daim & double decker. Depends how hungry I am. Daim gets it. It’s unreal, how can you explain perfection?
James:
I think Daim might be the one. It’s a rare treat. Tom (drummer) tried to put forward Terry’s Chocolate Orange, which obviously doesn’t qualify as a chocolate bar. We’ve had words with him.
Survival strategy for Titanic?
Ozzy:
Fall in love, die.
What was the last film that you watched: do you recommend it?
Ozzy:
Uncut gems on the flight, I think. It was great but it gave me so much stress and anxiety, it’s like a constant uphill battle gamble. 8/10 though
James:
Obviously, everyone knows about it now since it won all the Oscars, but I got to watch Parasite on the plane in China in November which was a treat since it wasn’t released in the UK until February. I’m a huge fan of that director as it is, so I’m really happy it’s got the recognition it deserves. They ran a series on his films at the Prince Charles Cinema recently, so I went and saw another one of his best – Memories of Murder.
Dogs or Cats and why?
Ozzy:
Have never been able to decide, dogs can love you in the way you need, but cats teach you that sometimes they can love you without having to do tricks for you. Important relationship advice in my opinion.
How do you expect someone to react to your music when listening for the first time?
Ozzy:
I want it to evoke some emotion, or memory, or sound familiar in an unknown way. That’s what I love about hearing music for the first time anyway. When you feel like it’s been written for you and you don’t know why.
What is the best and worst thing about your band?
Ozzy:
Best thing is our loyalty to each other and our fans. Worst thing is that we can’t afford to live properly from it and sometimes it makes you doubt yourself. First thing trumps the second thing every time though.
James:
It’s a good point. You do have to remind yourself that you get to live a life that other people can only dream of. But the thing that those people don’t realise is that we’re all skint. But who needs money when you’re having a good time, am I right?
Thoughts on current pop music?
Ozzy:
Think it’s wicked, I think it’s my favourite it has been since the noughties. It’s so fun and people are constantly pushing boundaries of what can be ‘chart’ music or not. It’s more about the artist than the genre of music they’re playing which is really fun.
