Ahead of their biggest headline tour Manchester-based four-piece Larkins rebooted their infectious single ‘Something Beautiful’. Getting candid they talk about what inspired the reboot, their hopes for the remaining tour dates, the message they want listeners to take away from their music and more.
How would you describe your sound, and how has it evolved over time?
I think we very much started out as a simple, straight-laced indie band but over the last couple of years we’ve been embracing synths and effects a lot more. Every track we release is closer and closer to the sound that we want to ultimately achieve, and our next release is definitely evidence of that.
You rebooted ‘Something Beautiful’, what inspired it? Has the message behind the song changed at all?
I think ‘Something Beautiful’ was the first track which sounded how we wanted to sound. Looking back, it definitely feels like the beginning of something. The title was actually the inspiration behind this one, Josh had the phrase “something beautiful” for a while so it sort of just came from there. I think the message has stayed the same; it’s just unashamedly pop which is what we love about it. It always goes down well live.
Who inspires you? Both professionally and on a personal level.
So many people inspire us everyday. Music-wise we’re listening to loads of Bon Iver at the minute (his newest album’s insane).
If listeners could take one message from your music what would you want that to be?
I guess we just hope that the music brings people together and allows for people to feel comfortable in themselves.
You’re headed out on your UK headline tour, what can we expect from that?
The first half of it at the end of last year was insane! Easily the best shows we’ve played yet. These next few shows are close to selling out and we’ve planned some really special stuff. The Manchester show at the Albert Hall is the biggest show we’ve ever done and it’s going to look amazing.
Is there a particular venue you’re most excited to play at?
The Albert Hall in Manchester is such a beautiful venue. So many artists that we love have played there so it’s not quite sunk in for us yet! To be playing such an iconic venue in the place we call home is pretty mind-blowing and really special.
What would you say is your favourite venue to play at? Any that you haven’t played at that you’d love to in the future?
We played Chapel in Leeds last year which was amazing, and we’d love to play its bigger, sister venue ‘Church’. There’s also so many amazing venues in Manchester we’d love to play. The Apollo would be pretty surreal.
What’s been a really memorable moment in your career so far? And what’s next?
We headlined and sold-out Manchester Academy 2 last year which has been the biggest show to date, and it was insane! There’s some mad things happening this year – our headline show at Albert Hall in Manchester and we go to Texas to play SXSW festival in March which is exciting!
What’s one song your personal playlist you’ve had on repeat recently and why?
The new Foals track ‘Exits’ has just come out and it’s a banger. Foals have always been a massive influence on us. They’re definitely one of the reasons we started doing this.
Finally what’s one question no-one asks in an interview you wish you were asked?
Haha that’s a difficult one. I think we’d find it funny if someone asked something brutal. It’d really liven up an interview (as they sometimes can be very bland) if we actively knew the interviewer didn’t like us.
Watch the official video for ‘Something Beautiful’ below:
Find Larkins online on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and their official website, where you can also find out more information about their forthcoming tour.
Comments