INTERVIEW: Petrie — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Petrie

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THE incredible Petrie…

have been speaking with me about their new track, June, and its background. I ask what it was like working with JESS on the track and whether the summer-time sound hides something more anxious – I discover how Petrie got together and which artists inspire their sound.

I discover what Petrie are planning next and which rising artists we should look out for; whether there will be touring dates coming up; the advice current musicians should heed when starting their careers – the guys each select a song to end the interview with.

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

Fuzzy. Lots of admin; finished some demos; wrote a lot of poems.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We’re Petrie. One of our managers recently coined the term ‘credible Pop’ to describe us, which we like - lets the music do the talking. Have a listen. If I told you it was liquid Dubstep you wouldn’t listen, would you? It may be the most beautifully crafted thing you’ve ever heard but those darn labels can turn you off before you’ve even loaded the private SoundCloud link.

Tell me about the song, June. What started its creation?

We were in the studio with our dear friend Kosuke Kasza one evening when he hummed a tune, which we immediately turned into that cute guitar riff and then sort of quoted throughout the track. Up until that session, we hated making the instrumental first but his energy was so infectious we laid down a lot of the instruments and most of the melody that evening. He was practically bouncing off the walls…it was fantastic. After that, we recruited our hero/muse JESS to help us with the lyrics, which is when we really got stuck in.

It seems like there are doubts posing underneath the sun-kissed sounds. Was there anxiety and deep emotion in mind when the song was formulated?!

You better believe it. Ironically, there is nothing we dislike more than the notion of a ‘SUMMER BANGER’; so this song kinda poses as one - while the narrator essentially admits their experience of love is frivolous, completely situational and ready to collapse. Rather sweetly, I think, the love interest seems to totally agree.

JESS pops up on the track. When did you start working together?

George, the conventionally attractive one, met JESS at college and then I properly met her studying the same course at uni. So, the stars aligned. She’s an incredible, honest lyricist and, holy hell, can she sing. I’d listen to her all damn day if she’d drop some freaking music (SOON! We’re actually mixing it right now. Hehehe).

How did Petrie get together? Do you recall when it all sort of clicked?

We used to play in RAWWKK BANDDSS together before George heard Burn by Usher (laughs). Eventually, I moved from producer to all-round ‘band member’ when we started writing everything together. Now, neither of us can write anything on our own but we’re trying in case this ends miserably.

The media and fans have shown a big response to your music. How does it make you feel getting that sort of feedback?!

HAHA. It’s reassuring that you think that...

Which artists are you influenced by? Who are the musicians who have made the biggest impact on the band?

Honestly? Joni Mitchell, Young Thug and Nirvana.

Do you think there will be touring dates? Can we catch you play?

We’re playing a headline show at The Waiting Room in Stoke Newington on 20th September and we’re very excited. It’s gonna be our best one yet we’re sure of it.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

We once got guest-list for a sick club night, turned up embarrassingly drunk and got swerved by Aminé. He just went and danced on his own. It was really weird.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Frank Ocean. Sorry to be obvious, but, yeah. Chips on the rider.

What advice would you give to artists coming through?

Keep writing. You’re probably terrible right now and you will be for years (we’re still terrible, I think) but you’ll look back one day and think ‘damn that was fun’ and then you’ll start to delude yourself that those songs were good…it’s a trip.

IN THIS PHOTO: Saint Torrente/PHOTO CREDIT: Noah Margaret

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Our elusive JESS - when she releases this damn tune. Saint Torrente makes incredible Avant-Garde, theatrical Pop and really kicked us up the butt, lyrically. Imogen writes VAST and gorgeous songs that tear our heart to shreds.