Music Q&A:
The Slow Show

The Manchester five-piece are touring in support of their new album Dream Darling, recorded at night in a farm house in the Lake District. Keyboardist Fred Kindt talks to Big Issue North as they gear up to play Leeds Brudenell Games Room, 28 Nov and Manchester Gorilla, 29 Nov.

How has the band evolved over the years?
In terms of writing we are more efficient in working to each other’s strengths. Everyone has their unique contribution to our sound and everyone has gained more confidence in their roles in the band.

What are you up to at the moment artistically?
2016 has been intense. We’ve written and recorded the latest album in the space of six months. We’re just finishing a European and UK tour so we will take a little break to recharge the batteries. In 2017 we’ll get together to see if we’re inspired to write new songs straight away or whether we’ll take a bit longer. Undoubtedly there will be some new ideas about where to take our sound next but at the moment it’s left open.

What’s it like to operate in the music industry today?
These days there are many different and new platforms (often free) to showcase your music to bigger audiences, especially online, and it’s important to keep track of these and make them work for your own music. Live shows and touring seems to be more important than ever and in a way that suits us as we gain most of our reputation and following from our live shows rather than radio play. We also love the travelling and draw inspiration from it. Other sides of the industry can be quite political and it also involves an element of luck. Some bands try to adapt their music and approach to accommodate this but that is something we have not done. The music we create comes naturally to us and when the industry embraces it we are grateful, but when that doesn’t happen it won’t make us change our ways.

What’s on your rider?
Usually bread, charcuterie, soup and snacks for arrival to energise us after the journey in the bus. And in the early evening a nice hot meal is always important and to have the whole team around the table before the show is very useful. Obviously there is also no shortage of beers. We usually like the local beers so we get some variety.