The rising Manchester four-piece Larkins’ brand new EP ‘Hit & Run’ is now available to stream through Spotify! We recently got in touch with the band prior the release to talk about it further. Here is what they had to say:
You have an EP due to come out on the 14th February. What can you tell us about it?
We’re really excited for it to drop. It feels like our first proper collection of songs and I think we’ve stretched ourselves to produce something that’s modern and interesting but also is totally us. It has touches of atmospheric rock, 80s synths, and this kinda of dystopian lyrical theme but I guess at it’s core it’s still pop which I love. It’s the best kind of music when you can stretch the pop genre into something that’s accessible but totally still totally indie. It’s also cool to include a reworked version of our first single ‘Hit And Run’ as we’ve been able to approach this older song as the band we are now.
Your new single ‘Flood’ also features on the EP. Can you tell us the inspiration behind the song?
The current climate really scares us as a band and it often feels like we want to escape before it’s turns to dust. Lyrically I was just trying to say that the political landscape is beginning to influence the way in which we all relate to each other. Relationships are everything and it sometimes feels like we’re beginning to starve. Musically I became obsessed with 80s pop in the summer and how the percussion against the LinnDrum just sounded insane. I was trying to write something that felt super programmed in bass with a crazy organic top end. Bringing this song together with Dan Nigro was a joy.
You’ve recently rounded up a huge UK and Ireland tour. Can you tells us you favourite part about touring?
I guess the fact that so many many people are coming to our shows now we feel like it’s the only time we truly get a sense of community. That’s pretty inspiring. One of the best things is to just have structure in your life for a few weeks/months. Generally we’re all over the place recording, writing, producing, designing etc so it’s nice to get on tour and have a strict itinerary each day.
If you had the choice to tour anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Our photographer grew up in Singapore so we’ve all become obsessed about going there. We tour America in March and that’s a dream for any band from the UK. That feels properly important to get right.
You’ll be touring again this year in April. Which one of your songs are you most looking forward to playing live and why?
‘Make You Better’ has become a crazy point in the set which feels really good right now. I’m laid bare abit and it’s exciting each night to see how it goes. ‘TV Dream’ seems to just get better and better so we always have that to fall back on if everything else goes wrong on the night
Who are your biggest influences at the moment?
Haim, Foals, Bon Iver, LCD Soundsystem.
What else can we expect from Larkins in the future?
Bigger and much bolder live shows. Maybe another EP that branches out even further. Further additions to our clothing line ‘Animals in Costume’. Maybe a cinematic type of music video, I’d like to try that.
What question do you wish someone would ask you in an interview but nobody ever does?
We tend to get a lot of the same questions to be honest but as we’re so self-critical we tend to question each other and the band every chance we get so I don’t mind the easier ones for a change. People haven’t started to question our clothing line yet and I think that’s one of the most important things we do as a band as everything is ethically sourced and 100% organic. Hopefully that will be more important to people in 2020.
Be sure to check out the bands Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on future releases. Larkins are also treating us to their ‘Before the Flood’ UK tour in April! Buy tickets here before you miss out!
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