INTERVIEW: SuperGlu — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Pete Hewitt

SuperGlu

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MANNINGTREE seems rather remote and, well…

it actually is. Finding a band from that part of the world would seem unlikely. Luckily, SuperGlu adds a bit of spark to the near-deserted Suffolk town - and have released the video for their awesome track, Welcome Home. The guys released their E.P., Horse, last year and are building their profile with every new release.

Their bass player, Krista, guides me through their coming-together and the inspiration behind their music...

I was keen to know the artists SuperGlu are influenced by and what the future holds for them; if there is a music scene in Manningtree and any advice they would give to upcoming musicians.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Good, thanks.

Had a day off (today) and ended up throwing away all my clothes. Feel purged but not really sure if I've got anything to wear tomorrow....

For those new to your work, can you introduce yourself, please?

We are SuperGlu: a four-piece Indie-Rock act from South-East England.

My name is Krista. I am the bass player of said band and taller than an average chest of drawers.

Sitting next to me is Ben Brown. He is at playing an unplugged electric guitar and is (a) probable lactose intolerant.

Nice to meet you….

Welcome Home is the new single. What can you reveal about the track and its origins?

It was written with a hangover after a house-party.

Ben thinks it sounds a bit like Yankee Doodle. There is a park in Mistley (swans; smells like malt) called the 'Welcome Home' field. Perhaps it's a bit about that...

That…and being in love... or whatever songs are normally supposed to be about.

You all formed in Britain’s smallest town, Manningtree. How did four people with such similar sensibilities and ambitions find one another in such a small place?

There are only around thirty people that live in the town. There are three pubs and two Indian restaurants.

To be honest, I'm surprised it took us this long to find each other!

Is the reason you have such a big sound to counteract the confines of where you hail from?

Not really.

It just kind of happened. If you play loud you get noticed in a bar/go deaf.

Is it true, between you, there is a regional Disco-dancer; a boat-dweller and abstract painter? It sounds like a film waiting to happen, surely?!

It's true!

Though, I haven't danced in a while. Ben W. lives on a boat with his ex-wife and her kids (don't ask!). Ben Brown recently opened his first solo exhibition (of what look like stolen children's paintings) at the Minories Art Gallery in Colchester.

Alex is soon-to-be an official marathon runner.

What do you have planned in terms of E.P.s and albums?

We are currently finishing something - we aren't sure if it's an E.P. or album.

There are elements of Ramones and Japandroids in your music. Are these artists you grew up listening to?

Someone sent Rockaway Beach (a year ago) to Ben Brown and he listened to it in a traffic jam - as it was the only C.D. he had.

He was driving past Stonehenge.

PHOTO CREDIT: Yakub Merchant

Huw Stephens, of BBC Radio 1, has championed your music. How important is his backing?

Loads.

I remember the first time Diving Bell got played on his show. We were all dancing around the living-room, shouting really loudly and, probably, pissing off our neighbours.

Do you think the music industry is becoming too digitised and sterile, in a lot of ways?

I really miss the feeling of opening up a C.D. case and listening to an album back-to-front on repeat. But, then again, streaming has enabled loads of artist to get themselves out there.

Who knows...?!

With such varied hobbies; how do SuperGlu unstick from the music? Do you all hang away from the band?

Yeah...

The Browns are brothers - so they have to kind of hang-out.

We have quite a large group of friends around the Suffolk area - who we live to drink with on the weekends.

Balancing social life, band and working nine-to-five is pretty hard, though.

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

There's, also, a new band called Oasis everyone's raving about - has two brothers in; a bit like Ben and Alex.

If you each had to select the album that means the most to you; which would they be and why?

(Selections chosen by Krista).

Jeff Buckley: Grace

It reminds me of the past present and future - and, every time I listen; I hear something new.

For Ben Ward….I am guessing anything by Blink-182

To make himself feel young again.

Alex; probably something I've never heard o - but I'll say anything by Pete and The Pirates

As we were listening to them the other day in the car and, judging by his shouting and cans of beer drank in the back seat, he likes them quite a bit.

For Ben Brown…I'll make him choose Support Mistley Swans by Dingus Khan

Because it's the best album on the planet.