Blondes is an indie pop rock band from Nottingham who have released their new EP as of July 14th. The band are fresh and fun with a fanbase that has grown since their viral Tik Tok video (link here) and numerous radio playing’s, they’re the definition of new and upcoming. So, we wanted to know their thoughts, a bit more about their music and of course the new EP!
How did you get involved in music itself?
“I first started playing music because of a Battle of the Bands competition at my school when I was around 15. I learned the bassline in Feel Good Inc. and played that pretty much non-stop after that because it was the only thing I could play. As a band we were terrible. But it definitely ignited an interest, and I started performing in bands and writing music ever since then.” Proof that practice makes perfect!
But what about how the music is created, from Battle of the Bands until now; Has your creative process changed over time?
“My creative process is always changing. I find that if you just do the same thing constantly it’s an easy way for it to get stale or to run into creative blocks. I like creating in different styles and media too, I like drawing and painting or just making a song that we’d never release. Sometimes Stroud (guitarist) and I like to make house or disco tunes out of samples we find just for the hell of it. It’s good to be frequently making stuff. It helps keep the creativity flowing.”
What’s the process behind your music videos?
“We tend to let the director come up with an idea based on their impression of the song and any lyrical or thematic ideas. From there it varies depending on how much time and money we have really. Sometimes it can be a real improvise and adapt kind of job but those are the most fun.” You can find Blonde on YouTube; their account includes a selection of beautiful videos including music from the new EP, ‘In Separation’.
But now onto the music itself, Does your music on the whole have a specific message?
Blondes create music that whilst still personal is widely relatable and emotive for any listener, “A lot of our songs have their own little theme, but they all capture in some way some aspect of being a young person navigating the world, I guess.”
Where do you get your overall inspiration from?
“A little bit of all the great music that came before us and a little bit of ordinary life probably. It’s hard to know really, different things inspire me in different ways and it’s not always conscious when it happens.”
What inspired each of the songs in the upcoming EP?
“The songs on the EP were inspired by our relationships with one another and with others. We wanted to explore themes of separation, loneliness, reconciliation and connection with each other. Sonically we went a lot more 90s in terms of what inspired the musical palette, especially songs like ‘Does it Rain on You?’” A lot of closely interlinked themes are covered in the band’s music, something that becomes apparent when listening. Not an easy task, but Blondes accomplish it well.
How did you choose the songs for the EP?
“We’d had them all pretty much ready to go as soon as our label told us they wanted to do another EP. They were the best 6 songs we’d written in the aftermath of the first EP so it seemed natural that they would form the project. It was much more conclusive in terms of what we wanted it to sound like compared to the first EP, which we more kind of found along the way.”
You’ve previously been viral on social media, how has that impacted your work?
The band have faced a form of fame already with their music going viral on TikTok, the current place to gain new followings as an artist and find new music as a listener. But home much impact does it actually make? “It’s probably made us a bit sceptical about equating being viral with being successful. It did ultimately open the door at the start for everything we’re doing now, but it’s certainly not everything when it comes to building a sustainable career and properly connecting with people who care about your music.”
Do you have any upcoming gigs?
“We have headline shows in Liverpool and London this month, and then a further 4 headline dates round the UK this September! We’ll be playing all the new songs from our EP, some of them for the first time. We’re very excited.” So, take a look, find their social media pages and check your calendars!
Finally, Do you have a favourite song to perform?
“Mine is ‘The Basement’. We usually play it at the end of the set, so by that point we can really let loose. We like to double the length of the outro and just go for it, really relishing it as it’s usually the last thing we play on stage.”
Blondes are a welcome addition to the music scene; they’re making an impact and they’re making genuinely good music. So, give them a listen!