It’s always good to chat with our pals in False Advertising. For our money, one of the best alternative acts to come out of the UK in the last ten years.
Hey guys! How are you?
Jen] Good, if a bit frazzled. Very happy to be talking to Soundsphere!
Josh] Yeah doing good thanks!
Chris] In our infinite wisdom, we decided to do a range of album bundles with custom messages etc which meant we had to package and send it all ourselves. It’s awesome to have such a close connection with your fans, but the t-shirts were late and we have to rehearse for the tour as well, so it’s been a bit crazy.
How are you feeling about ‘Brainfreeze’?
Jen] Excited for it to be out in the world but aware it might be a bit anticlimactic and weird feeling, It’s been over two years since we started writing it, so it’s been a long time coming! I’ve taken the day off on Friday for the release though so I can wallow in all the feelings that I experience fully, be it positive or negative!
Josh] I’m really proud of everyone that’s been involved in creating this, whether it’s positively or negatively reviewed is neither here nor there for me. What we’ve done and been through together to get here has been worth so much to me already that if anyone else is in to it too then it’s is just a bonus.
Chris] We just hope that the album does well enough to justify all the work our producer Luke Pickering put in, that guy is a saint, and also, we definitely had a lot more back and forth with our awesome mastering engineer Pete Fletcher than you should have, thanks Pete for your incredible patience! He did an amazing job.
What ideas inspire ‘Influenza’?
Jen] It’s about all the chaos that comes along with big changes that happen in life. Struggling to deal with a thing like death and dealing with it by acting out towards other people. On the flip side, I think musically I was just trying to think of a big face melting riff, something with a stupid amount of impact like Stacked Actors by Foo Fighters, Celebrity Skin by Hole or Namakuji by Part Chimp or something, probably ended up somewhere in between all those.
Josh] Bork!
Chris] Errrrr, It’s an in joke.
What were some of the biggest challenges in developing the record?
Chris] Learning the parts in one month, to record it live, in 3 days of recording time was tough, after that the issues were more to do with self esteem and self doubt and having too many options.
Jen] Maybe getting time off work to go to London and do it. I left my job just before we did our first studio session (well.. I actually picked that time to leave my job and start being a freelance graphic designer, but it was scary!). Chris and I also did some remote working from the studio while it was being mixed which was both fun and stressful.
Josh] Getting time off was tricky yeah, it can be tricky and tiring to balance both working full time and being in a band – which we all do.
How do you define success now, in comparison when you got started?
Jen] I think the first time we achieved a big milestone, which in our case was probably playing our first ever outdoor festival – you feel like there’s going to be some sort of sense of incredible achievement and anticipate how you’ll feel afterwards. But then in reality you realise that you’re the only one that really sees it as a big deal – it’s not like anyone gives you a certificate or pats you on the back or anything like that, you will probably also be filled with feelings of regret about all the things you should have done better.
I think it’s great to pause and personally reflect on your achievements, especially with something like an album release – which we’re also so indebted to so many others who have supported us through the process. But expecting our lives to change, or to feel differently or like we’re better people just because we’ve done a thing would be silly.
Josh] I feel like this experience with all it complex intricacies has certainly helped me grow as a person and I feel all the better for it. There’s been some absolutely incredible times we’ve had recording and making this album – for those alone I feel it’s been a success already. I think it’s hard to define what a success is the idea of it is relative, and personally unique. For me, I feel this album successful just by existing, as I’d never have dreamt we could have done it in the way we have.
Chris] I wanted to make a living from Music or have it be our primary source of income so that I could dedicate more time to writing, gigging and rehearsing and therefore get better as an artist and performer. We are still very much part of the real world and keeping this band going is a real struggle. I don’t think we are doing it to be successful specifically, if this band ended, I for one would start another – it’s a compulsion that keeps me on an even keel. To answer your question though, I don’t think I define success any differently from before and by many measures we have experienced great success in certain areas. When you look at the big picture, I’m over the moon with all our achievements to date and don’t take it for granted for a second.
You guys know we do a lot of work with young people in Hull, at The Warren – what advice would you give to young people who want to follow in your footsteps, and create a dent in the industry, as you have done?
Jen] Think really hard about what you want to do, try stuff out and when it feels right work on refining it into the best version of your vision that you can achieve. Don’t be self indulgent with your creativity and listen hard to anyone else you’re working with, make sure your music really is good enough and you’re not rushing putting it out because you’ve convinced yourself that it’s ready by listening to it over and over again! We’ve tried not to be like that ever but it still happens.
Josh] I think having a hard working attitude and work ethic is key. Patience is also very important, patience with yourself as well as others. It’s difficult and stressful work at times – and something as simple as a positive and helpful attitude and outlook can go a very long way.
Chris] Educate yourselves as much as possible, learn multiple instruments, never stop writing songs. Don’t lie to yourself, be realistic, hardworking and pragmatic. What the other two said.
