You released your fourth studio album, ‘The Weight of Your Love’, in July. What can fans expect from the new album?
I think it’s grander than anything the band has done before really. There’s a lot more orchestra, more dynamics in it, including stuff like strings and horns which may have been used before but not really to the same effect I guess. It has a lot bigger sound than previous albums.
You’ve already released two singles, ‘A Ton of Love’ and ‘Formaldehyde’, and are set to release ‘Honesty’ as the third in November. Can you tell me a little bit about why you chose these songs as the singles?
The first track is called ‘A Ton of Love’, and I think when we started playing that one in the rehearsal room, it just felt straight away like ‘this is the first single’ I guess. That one definitely felt like it had the feeling of what we were looking for. The last record came out quite a few years ago, so we were looking for a bit of snap. ‘Formaldehyde’ seemed like the right way to go after that. It’s quite an up-tempo, poppy little number. The next one is ‘Honesty’, which was quite an overblown moment in the studio. It’s a bit like a rock opera!
Yes, ‘Honesty’ is one of my favourites on the album! You’re currently on tour as well – how are fans receiving the new album?
They’ve been great. You’re never sure how it’s going to go down really, but they’ve been very supportive so far. There’s definitely a new fan-base which is coming up as well, which is amazing for a band. A lot of other bands are coming on board as well which is great.
You also did four big festivals over the summer, including Glastonbury. Why did you decide to do this?
You never really turn it down when you get offered it, that’s for sure. It was amazing. It has such a heritage and it’s always such a privilege to play there. Even just to be able to go, not just as a band but for the show itself. For me, out of all the British gigs, it feels like the biggest moment. You always want to play Glastonbury!
The band has gone through a lot of change over the past couple of years, with Chris (Urbanowicz, lead guitarist) leaving and yourself and Justin becoming new members. Do you think this has affected the direction the band has taken?
I think inevitably yes. It’s always going to have an impact, especially when there are two people coming into a band. I think the initial way they were trying to do this record before with Chris was very much in the same vein. They wanted to go back to guitar as well as adding in the bigger sounds, but I don’t think they could make it work with Chris really. I think me and Justin have definitely come in and put our own spin on stuff, but I think the motivation for the sound of the album was there in the beginning anyway.
Can you tell me a little about how you came to be a part of Editors?
I’ve known the guys for a while actually. I was in a band before called Airship and we used to tour with these guys. They rang me out of the blue, and initially they said it was one big show they were doing in Belgium. I said I’d do it, and we went through it in rehearsal room together. It kind of grew organically from there I guess which is the best way, and yeah, here I am.
Was it nerve-wracking at all to be asked to do such a big show?
The initial thing was very daunting because it was a massive festival for them and I’ve never done anything like that before. It definitely was intimidating, but when we got into the rehearsal room together, it was just five guys in a room making music and that’s what I do. It’s been great.
What inspired you to play music for a living? Is it always something you’ve wanted to do?
Yeah, ever since I was a kid really. I used to listen to Michael Jackson, since I was about seven, and from that point I just fell in love with all aspects of music. When I was twelve or thirteen I started playing guitar, and that was it from there really.
Is there any advice you’d like to give to budding musicians?
The best advice I can give is work hard; you have to perfect your craft. Music is a gift and a talent, but 90% of that is hard work. You have to keep trying, so if you’re a songwriter you have to keep writing songs constantly. That’s what I’d say to all bands – just keep writing songs!
What’s next for the band after the tour?
We’re going to tour for a while, a bit more next year. I think we’ve all had such a great experience putting this record together that we’d like to get back into the studio as quickly as possible really, and hopefully we can keep the vibe going.
The Weight of Your Love is out now.
