As artists, you’ve taken heavy inspiration from many others, musically. Which artist(s) do you look up to the most?
We all have different tastes. Woody is really into bands like Queens of Stone Age, Rage Against the Machine etc Kyle loves more electronic stuff like Kaytranada or Kwabs, I listen to lots of blues like BB or Hendrix and Dan loves everything. The one thing we agree on is 2001 by Dr Dre. best album ever!
What emerging artists are you listening to at the moment?
Rationale, Rag ’n’ Bone Man.
Wild World has just been released. How would you say the new album differs to the older EPs and Bad Blood, if at all?
We tried to move things forwards sonically. We explored many new genres and tried to present our influences a little more nakedly. There are RnB influences as well as hip hop and pop. Also the introduction of guitar really changed the sound of the band.
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You put a lot of creative reasoning into your videos (often causing quite a stir). Are there any modern filmmakers you enjoy watching or following the work of particularly?
We all love film. Personally I love the work of Steve McQueen, the Cohen brothers, Wes Anderson among others. Our work is quite cinematic and I think film in general really informs our aesthetic. Our album covers are supposed to look like like film posters and that visual runs through all our art work and videos. We didn’t want to just make videos that are just us playing. We see making videos as an opportunity to try our hand in a different creative sphere.
You’re currently on tour and have just finished a busy festival season; what aspects of performing live and life on the road do you enjoy?
All of it really. It’s sounds like a clichĂ© but it really is the best job in the world. Literally living the dream. Playing music every day is such a privilege.
You told NME that Brexit helped you find your voice politically as a band – and following that you changed the lyrics of Pompeii at Glastonbury – and you have written a song called The Currents rumoured to be about Nigel Farage. Do you think music is a powerful platform for vocalising political opinions?Â
We try not to be too overly political. We all have our own opinions but try to let our music do the talking. That way it’s not so much us telling people what we think but encouraging people to take from our songs things that resonate with them. Obviously, The Currents can be seen as political but it isn’t necessarily about anyone in-particular. It’s just about opposing divisive and bigoted rhetoric wherever you find it. Opposition to these types of people and this type of speech is less political and more moral I think.
If you couldn’t be the successful musicians that you are any more, what would you be doing?
I’m not sure really. I have only ever wanted to do this so I never had a backup plan. If I had to choose a different vocation, then probably I’d be the head of Daniel Craig’s fan club.
words ZOE BROOKES
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