Hi Si! Your new album ‘Automatic’ was just released last month, and it’s had a fantastic response from the fans! How was the recording process this time around?
It was really different to the first time around. With priorities, we blitzed the whole record in 3 weeks in our mates home studio. -With Automatic we were lucky enough to be able to take a bit more time. We recorded the drums at Air studios in London, did a lot of the guitars out in Oxfordshire at Angelic, and most of the vocals at Strongroom in Shoredich. It meant we could cater different studios to different instruments which kept things really fresh and exciting for us recording.
Was it difficult sitting on new music for such a long time?
SO DIFFICULT. Once we had completed the record there’s a lot of logistical back and forth with the label about the release process, which means it takes a long time to actually get any music out! It’s a really agonising process sitting on the songs you’re so proud of, you just want people to hear them!
SWEATY. We’d forgotten just how hot some of those rooms get! It was amazing to reconnect with our fans in that kind of personal environment, we love doing club shows.
The new material sounds fantastic live, have you discovered any fan favourites from the new album? And which of the new tracks do you enjoy playing the most?
‘What you do you me’ seems to have become a crowd favourite very quickly. It’s super fun to play too… It’s got a really satisfying groove to lock into and feels dark and heavy yet upbeat and poppy at the same time.
Reading and Leeds Festival is around the corner, are you excited to be back again this year?
Definitely. We’ve got so much history with that festival. It’s a pleasure to be invited back. It still remains our favourite festival to play.
What does it mean to you being a part of such an iconic festival in the UK?
It means everything. We attended Reading every year as kids. It helped shaped who are today, it’s one of the main reasons we are a band. To be invited to be part of it is humbling and incredible for us as a band.
You’re playing the NME stage this year, what can we expect from your set? Any surprises?
We’ve got a cheeky cover we are throwing in there….
You’ve played many festivals over the years, what’s the craziest thing you’ve seen at a festival?
We once saw a group of lads riding round the site in a wheeled dumpster, being dragged by a troop of other guys, like they were Pharos riding a chariot around their Kingdom. Fair play lads.
Who are you guys looking forward to seeing over the R&L weekend?
BMTH, METALLICA, ALT J, there’s just so many! The line up this year is incredible.
If you could pick three headliners for the ultimate Reading & Leeds Festival line up [excluding yourselves!] who would they be and why?
REUBEN. – our favourite band ever.
ELVIS PRESLEY – renowned as the worlds greatest entertainer, who we obviously never got to see!
U2 – haters are going to hate, but these guys just have ALL the songs. We love U2
Finally, what are your plans for the end of 2015?
We are doing our biggest ever headline tour culminating with a show at Brixton Academy – we can’t wait!!
You can catch Don Broco this fall on the following dates:
