What are your names?
Richard Wiggins, Oli Richards, Dario Ordi and Elliot Samphier.
What is your genre of music?
Post-punk/ new wave.
Give us a little bio about you.
We all met thanks to the power of the internet. Since the beginning we have been committed to the idea of group writing, nearly every note any member of the band has written has been in the presence of every other member. There is cohesive “group” feel to our music. Our original band name was How I Faked The Moon Landing, we were initially a fun indie pop band. Since then we have had two EPs and two singles which were very bleak in tone. Our new album material marks a return towards sincerity and joy – we must be sincere or nothing at all. Because of this we have named our new single after our old band name.
What made you go in to music?
We thought it would be fun, which it is! We’ve always idolised musicians and wanted to make something, rather than solely judging’s efforts.
Are you a signed?
Yes! We recently signed to Libertino Records who are an outstanding Welsh label who are making waves. I am convinced something huge is going to come out of Libertino. Listen to La Forme and Adwaith.
Your releasing your new single “How I Faked The Moon Landing” on 10th August tell us more about it.
It is a huge, fun, disco beat led dance punk song. It is a song for everyone. We’re still a little shell shocked that we’ve created something accessible, delighted though.
What was the writing process like?
It was written in a fit of passion, we’d just had a bit of a brutal and unconstructive conversation with a Welsh music industry professional – we had something to prove. It started with Dario’s excellent and anthemic guitar melody, we then peppered it with the disco beats and bass guitar. Elliot wrote the verses deliberately without using his snare so that he could funk it up in the choruses. I wrote lyrics reflecting on us being a band. The lyrics are very defensive and passionate, but they weren’t written for public consumption, they were written as an in-joke for the four of us. It’s been interesting hearing the words “we’re destined to be a local band not on the local radio” on various radio shows.
What was the recording process like?
We recorded this single with Charlie Francis alongside another upcoming track, “A Pop Act”. Charlie is a genius. The world ending hand claps you can hear in the song were made by Elliot smacking the backend of a broom against a wooden kart in a hall – this was Charlie’s bizarre idea and it sounds incredible. We’re recording the rest of the album with him. We anticipate it being a hugely gratifying experience.
Tell us more about the album.
We are going into the studio to record a further 10 songs in August and September. This will bring us up to 12 songs which we will have recorded with Charlie. There is quite a range of tracks from a gentle folk tune “Safety in Numbers” which is about looking after your friends to erratic rock songs “Robot” and “Spin” which are written from the perspective of an office worker bee.
Do you have gigs coming up?
Yes! Hub Festival in Cardiff – come a long!
What else do you have planned this year?
We’re planning a tour for 2019. We’re planning a series of further music videos with our friend and collaborator Jaydon Martin. We love his work for the “How I Faked The Moon Landing” video – its jubilant and bizarre.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians, not about the industry but just as an artist?
Be selective about the advice you accept. If something rings true or seems right then go for it. If you’re just starting out then the likelihood is that your sound will not yet be “complete” but there are many routes to discovering your sound, what might be good advice for one person may not be suitable for you – you are likely to be able to tell the difference. Good advice will typically make you realise something you couldn’t quite put into words before.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Sometimes you need a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
The Flute and Tankard is the band’s favourite pub. You MUST visit there.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Ear plugs, beer tokens, self-confidence, a change of clothes and a good spirit.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
