Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
Patrick: Hey, thanks for having us!
What made you decide to become a band?
Patrick: We’ve been friends since University but for some reason never decided to make music together at the time. It was only a couple of years after we graduated the first seeds of The New Nostalgia were sewn. After going our separate ways, we met up in Amsterdam and realized it was a massive shame that we’d never created music together. We decided to form a band and give it a go, if anything just as an excuse to see more of each other.
Introduce us all to the members and your musical history?
Patrick: So I’m Patrick, and I’m the lead vocalist, acoustic guitarist and songwriter. I’ve got a background as a solo singer-songwriter and I’ve been active on the West Yorkshire music scene for a very long time.
Charles: I’m Charles, and I play drums. I began by playing guitar at school, but my dad bought an electric drum kit which I would play around on all the time. By the time I got to university and met the boys, the drums had pretty much taken over for me!
James: I’m James and I play guitar. I started gigging with blues bands in my early teens around Ireland, but have also done some touring work in Europe. I used to play saxophone too, but struggled to play both at the same time.
Sam: James have you tried putting one of the instruments down, I can see how you’d struggle to play both at the same time. I’m Sam and I play Bass guitar, I’ve played in multiple bands throughout the general north west of England, in mainly the Manchester and Liverpool area
It’s been a bit of a wild last year, how have you guys managed to pass time and stay sane during lockdown?
Patrick: Yeah it really has. 2019 was quite an intense year for us of recording, gigging and traveling so putting the breaks on came as a bit of a shock. We all live in different cities so we’ve gone from seeing each other all the time to hardly seeing each other at all! The positive is that I think we managed to reconnect as friends first and bandmates second. There’s been lots of group chats and gaming going on. We’ve become experts at Left 4 Dead 2 and Worms Reloaded!
Charles: Yeah, “experts”. I’ve been trying to get through the ceiling-high pile of books I’ve intended on reading for the past five years. Getting there.
James: I would say “have occasional moments of sanity” rather than retain my sanity throughout. I did some remote recording from my flat and recorded/filmed/mixed some livestream videos for festivals that went online, so all that was great for occupying my mind.
Sam: I was still in work unfortunately! Having pulled the shortest of short straws I had to carry on going into the office, which in all honesty probably kept me sane with some elements of normality still present.
How positive are you feeling now we are in 2021?
Patrick: After a year of basically doing nothing with the band, we now have four or five projects on the go at the same time. It feels really good to be so busy with creativity again because that’s basically the reason we got the band together in the first place.
Charles: Having something to look forward to has really been the main source of positivity for me, so having single releases, recording sessions and gigs in the line-up is a real motivator.
James: Now that I’m back at work, having a routine and legally being allowed to interact with other people has definitely boosted my optimism. Combine all that with the band diary filling up as well as buying tickets for actual gigs, 2021 is looking up for sure!
Sam: Much more positive, I feel like things are gradually returning to normality. Looking forward to that first trip abroad, I’ve missed travelling abroad a lot!
How has 2020 affected your mental health?
James: In short, badly. I didn’t expect losing my work routine and social life to affect me so negatively, but lockdown definitely exposed and exacerbated a lot of underlying weaknesses in my mental health that I’d been ignoring for a long time. But thankfully after a few months of avoidance, I was able to seek the help that I needed and have been able to work through some of the issues that I’ve been having.
Patrick: I’ve felt very lucky that I’ve managed to adapt to the isolating lifestyle pretty easily. I’ve kept myself busy writing and I’ve not noticed a negative impact on my mental health. This is definitely not the case for a lot of people though. I’m disappointed that the level of mental health awareness in the UK is still not being matched by adequate government funding. People talk about it more and that’s great but it’s simply not enough. Medical support for mental health issues in Britain is often non-existent, just ask anyone who has tried to access these services and has been met with a waiting list. Until that changes, we’re going to have huge issues.
Sam: In terms of my own mental health it was a testament to how resilient i’ve become, having suffered over the years a little bit in this department I feel I coped with it very well and dedicated myself to helping those close to me as much as I could in this department, being there as much as I could.
How are you feeling now the road map has been announced and live gigs can return?
Patrick: I’m feeling cautiously optimistic. The situation in the UK is looking positive and we’re already starting to get some shows booked in for the end of the year. That being said, I’m based in The Netherlands and the situation in Europe is obviously a little different at the moment. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping we can get back to doing what we do very soon.
Sam: Cautious optimism all around, i’m so keen for them to return not just for the band, but in terms of gigs returning generally. I’d give anything to be at a music festival or a gig at the moment. The pessimist inside me thinks there might be a few delays in store yet.
Whats one question you’re sick of being asked when interviewed?
Patrick: Ha, we don’t really do enough interviews for the questions to get annoying yet! Sometimes I get asked why I write so many sad songs and that can be a bit annoying. I write sad songs because those emotions are the most interesting to me and I think they resonate more. But I’m generally a pretty happy sort of guy!
Sam: As a bass player I don’t get asked many interview questions unfortunately.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories?
Patrick: Not really. I think the people in charge are largely too incompetent to pull of a grand conspiracy, and there are too many moving parts to keep everyone quiet. Moon could be made of cheese though. Who knows.
Charles: In his book ‘Homo Deus’, Yuval Noah Harari talks about this theory that the chances of us being in the ‘real world’ and not a simulation is miniscule. It was explained so persuasively that it actually terrified me for a solid month. The moon is an alien egg, by the way.
James: I’ve spent the last couple of months watching The X Files from the very start, so not only do I have the theme tune playing in my head on a constant loop, but I fear that I’m probably starting to believe in the Roswell Incident and FBI cover ups more than I’d care to admit.
Sam: I’ve watched enough episodes of the X-Files to know that the truth is out there. I’m an avid enthusiast of reading conspiracy theories, even if I don’t believe in many. They’re very fun to read about, alien bases on the moon? Bigfoot? Hole in the top of the earth? Yes please.
What’s your favourite song right now from another band currently on the circuit?
Patrick: It’s all about John L by black midi at the moment. I know we’re only half way through 2021 but that’s going to take some beating for my track of the year.
Charles: I’ve been getting into The Snuts recently, and their track Always on the new album is a big mood.
James: Hard to pick one, but My Honest Face by Inhaler definitely sits quite high up. They’re dropping their debut album in a few weeks time so I’m looking forward to adding it to the collection.
Sam: Really into Arlo Parks at the moment, crossing my fingers her gig in Liverpool stays on in August.
What support is out there for new artists in the UK?
Patrick: There is so much support out there for new artists in the UK at the moment but a lot of it is very regional. This can cause a problem for bands like us because we don’t really have a “hometown”. We do most of our gigging in London but we’re from all over the place; Halifax, Wolverhampton, Liverpool and Rostrevor. It’s useful when we’re touring because we can pull a decent crowd in more than just one city, but we can feel a bit like nomads when we’re looking for support. The UK circuit is very much based around local “scenes” and it feels difficult for us to fit into one.
Who is inspiring you at the minute on the unsigned scene?
Patrick: I mean, I feel inspired by anyone who has the motivation to keep going in this industry. We played a show in London just before lockdown with Apollo Junction and I’ve always admired their approach to music making. Plus they’re Leeds fans which is a MAJOR plus.
What useless talent do you have/ party trick?
Patrick: I can perfectly mimic the sound of a party streamer and I object to the accusation that it is useless, particularly at parties!
Charles: I can play the drums.
James: I can tell the difference between butter and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter
Sam: Could probably eat the entire buffet, then order a takeaway. Wouldn’t even be sorry either, my appetite is legendary.
What was the most fun you have had on stage?
Patrick: In the summer when lockdown restrictions were briefly lifted, I was given the opportunity to play an acoustic set in the main hall at Paradiso, a legendary music venue in Amsterdam. After months without gigs, this was unbelievably special. It was packed out (in a socially distant sort of way) and getting back on stage was just the best.
Charles: The first time we played in London at the Spice of Life was something really special. We kind of packed the place out, and a lot of my friends came so I was incredibly nervous, but the support was amazing.
Sam: I’ve loved all of our Amsterdam gigs so far, in one case my flight got delayed so much I was worried I was going to miss the gig, I arrived at the venue maybe 10 minutes before we went on. I felt like I got off the plane, slammed a free beer and walked on stage.
What was the worst experience on stage?
Patrick: We started a set at the Night & Day Café in Manchester and James’ pedals stopped working as the intro music was playing. I looked over and he was on his knees with a flashlight in his mouth and a tiny screwdriver in his hand. Genuinely harrowing stuff.
Charles: I once fell backwards off my drum stool into a wall on the final note of a gig in Amsterdam. I think a few people in the crowd somehow missed it, so Patrick kindly pointed out to the audience what had happened.
James: I once blew a speaker in my amp on a gig, which initially just made my guitar sound great because suddenly I had this great distorted tone. But when smoke started to billow from the back of the amp, I decided it was maybe best to unplug and run away.
Tell us something about each member that you think people would be surprised about?
Patrick: Hmmm, you might be surprised to learn that Charles is also an author of fiction. But then again you might not be that surprised. Look at him.
Charles: Patrick’s first name is actually Andrew, which is my dad’s first name, and my dad’s middle name is James, and James’s middle name is Patrick. James is also Sam’s dad’s name. My name is Charles.
James: Sam has a ridiculous knowledge of niche Lord Of The Rings and Star Wars Prequel references.
Sam: James is actually a Jurassic Park and Jeff Goldblum superfan, Charles cannot be crushed, most gigs we tend to pile as much homeware as we can on him in the house we’re staying in (Houseplants, beds, coffee machines etc), Patrick is a great chef.
Whats your biggest achievement as a band?
Patrick: Our track Millennial Love reached the finals of the International Songwriting Contest for 2020 in Best Rock and Best Unsigned. The whole thing was judged by a panel of judges including Tom Waits, Coldplay and members of Linkin Park. When we found out we’d made it to the final stage we were honestly baffled. Just to have our song heard by such accomplished artists was a massive achievement.
Charles: Honestly, the fact we’ve achieved what we have despite living in separate countries. It’s actually nuts.
James: Patrick, Sam, and Charles exercising the restraint to not punch me when I inevitably have a pedalboard-related issue, whether it’s a loose wire in Camden, or being halfway to Leeds before realising I’ve forgotten the actual pedalboard.
What makes you stand out as a band?
Patrick: I really love working with video as well as audio and I think that’s something that’s a little different. We have a mad video project coming out at the end of the month called “Convoluted Fantasies” which I’ve edited myself and it’s a bit mad.
Charles: I think we have really a unified and slightly chaotic energy on stage that surprises some people.
Right now, whats pissing you of the most?
Patrick: How long have you got! The lack of diversity at UK festivals this summer is pretty shocking. After a year off, the desire for bands to perform is at an all time high, so to see poster after poster with basically the exact same almost-all-male lineups is awful. If anything, it just speaks to the lack of interest from major promoters in the UK to programme anything remotely interesting. It feels less about the music and more about a piss up in a park. It’s pretty telling that Primavera always basically has the best line up in Europe and they commit to a 50 / 50 gender split. It’s because they’re actually interested in booking new and interesting artists.
Tell us about a time when you had a proper reyt laugh while you were all together?
Patrick: The memory that instantly comes to mind is when we were last in the studio. We rented an Airbnb nearby and after a couple of days of long hours we basically went into a state of delirium where everything seemed insanely funny for some reason. It ended up with us laughing hysterically at the popping noises with beer bottles. You 100% had to be there.
Charles: I have a video somewhere of the same Airbnb evening where Sam is running at me with a massive laundry basket on his head. Speaks for itself, really.
James: Shortly after, Sam captured me and we became a human-basket hybrid. Would recommend.
I hear you have a new single brewing, what can you tell us about it?
Patrick: Yeah, our latest single Bridges came out on May 6th. It was written by Charles and myself and is a pretty fiery and introspective track.
Charles: It’s a song that’s grown in meaning over time. It was written during a time when I felt like a lot of my friends were moving on to better things and I couldn’t help but feel I was being left behind somehow. It’s ultimately a hopeful song about absolute persistence in the face of all your faults, and I think that really comes through in the urgency and energy of the chorus.
How was the recording process given the various restrictions the UK has been under of late?
Patrick: We got really lucky and managed to get Bridges and Millennial Love recorded last summer when the restrictions were very briefly lifted. It was the first time we’d seen each other in ages so it ended up being a very special few days in the studio. We’re booked in to work on our album later this year so we’re just keeping our fingers crossed that it can all come together.
What are your plans for the year ahead
Patrick: We’re keeping ourselves very busy. At the end of May, we’re going to be releasing a crazy remote session that we recorded across the UK and The Netherlands. It’s called “Convoluted Fantasies” and we’re hoping that it’s going to be our send off to lockdowns and COVID. After that, we’re back in the studio working on the album, before touring from September. We’re playing London on September 30th and Halifax on October 1st with loads more to announce very soon.
James: Drinking a pint where I don’t have to wear four layers or hold an umbrella in my non-drinking hand.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Patrick: Support the independent venues when they reopen. It’s a miracle that any have survived and they’re essential to keeping this thing on the road!
James: As above, support independent artists, venues, and retailers now that we’re allowed to again.