INTERVIEW: Ski Lift

INTERVIEW:

Ski Lift

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IT is exciting…

to hear and find out more about a new Ski Lift single. The South London band (Benji Tranter - guitar, lead vocals, Lizzy Walsh - bass, vocals, and Adam Fletcher - drums vocals) are back with the incredible Living the Dream. I have been speaking with Benji of the band about their new release. With their newest song emboldened and heightened by a very catchy '60s-Pop-inspired punch and energy, there are nods to and elements of the likes of Talking Heads and Deerhoof. I learn more about the track and what sort of music influence the trio. I ask Benji about the current music scene and how tough it is for artists. Ski Lift have been championed by, among others, John Kennedy on Radio X, BBC Radio 1’s Gemma Bradley, and BBC 6Music’s Tom Robinson. They are a name that everyone needs to keep an eye out for! With an awesome new single out and some further new material coming at some point soon enough, I think that Ski Lift will enjoy…

AN exciting 2024.

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Hi Benji. How are you? How has Ski Lift’s 2023 been so far?

Benji: Hey there! We’re excited to be releasing music again. We took things easy in early-2023, but since August we’ve been back on the live circuit and have played some of our favourite shows yet.

Your releases so far have seen your fanbase grow and more attention come your way. How does it feel knowing that your music connects with so many people?

It feels good - I’m very wary of taking it for granted. It’s very easy to be always looking on to the next goal, but we’re really lucky to have had some successes along the way so far, and we’re really thankful to all the fans who support us.

“Well, it’s set up to sound like it’s about how well everything’s going, but it’s more like an anxiety dream”

Some pretty big radio stations have played your music. Is it quite a big thrill when you hear a D.J. give your music a shout out?

Oh yeah! I still can’t believe we’ve been played on Radio 1 - that’s actually insane. Never gets old to have anyone care enough to play our music. It’s been wild to see local stations in the U.S. and Netherlands playing our tunes.

Tell me about the new single, Living the Dream. What is the story behind it?

Well, it’s set up to sound like it’s about how well everything’s going, but it’s more like an anxiety dream. It’s about how we have to deal with what's going on inside ourselves, all the problems we’re facing day-to-day, while projecting the version of ourselves we want everyone to see (see social media…)

In terms of your musical influences, there are elements of bands like Talking Heads. What sort of music inspires Ski Lift?

Musically, this one’s a bit of an outlier for us. Lizzy (who plays bass) says it’s our ‘funky’ track. I was inspired by the song, Criminals of the Dream, by Deerhoof, and also definitely Talking Heads. In general, I am inspired by bands like The Replacements, The Lemonheads and Mystery Jets when writing for Ski Lift.

The modern landscape is hard for artists in terms of earning money and getting gigs. How has it been for Ski Lift? How are things for the band at the moment?

Yeah, not great to be honest - gig fees for support shows are pretty paltry. We can usually cover travel though. I’ve been making some hand-bleached tees, which has really helped to make up the shortfall. And we have CDs too. and we’ve got some exciting Living the Dream merch on the way! Keep an eye out on our socials for more info!

“It’s exciting, but I can’t announce anything else just yet”

Christmas is coming up. A two-part question: How will you be spending Christmas, and what is your favourite Christmas classic?

Last year, my partner and I spent it with my family, so this year we’ll be spending it with her’s, in beautiful Hertfordshire. It’s not as good as Herefordshire, where I’m from, but I’ll be making do ;) Wonderful Christmastime - I love the theory that it’s actually about practising witchcraft. That’s a fun one. If I can choose an album, too, I would go for (Ella Fitzgerald’s) Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas.

Is there more music coming in 2024 do you think? Is there an E.P. or album planned?

Definitely - coming soon… It’s exciting, but I can’t announce anything else just yet.

Finally, and for being a good sport, you can choose any song (from another artist) you like and I will play it here.

Hmm, this is the hardest question by far. I’m going to go for Colonial Pop, the latest single by Gold Baby - a band we’ve played with on the London scene (and we just played another show with them on Friday in Oxford). I feel we are kindred spirits of sorts. They’re a great band and should be on more people’s radars.