With one the best music and surf festivals in the UK starting in 2 weeks’ time, we caught up with Joe from established and summer ready band, Youth Club. They have already promised to bring the sun out on what will be a fantastic musical and cultural takeover in Newquay, but what else are the great Essex band bringing to the weekend?
Stephen McMahon: How are you, last time I spoke to you was over a year ago, how has the band been since then? what you been up to?
Joe [Youth Club Guitarist]: We’ve been locked away in the studio writing new material, we’ve done a UK tour and we’ve been doing festival season too, so a really busy year! Loads of new experiences
and loads of new places. The tour was really interesting because it was the first time going to some cities that we had never been to before, Nottingham, Leeds, Birmingham. Also building fan bases through social media. Luckily we get to go back again, as we’re supporting Young Kato in the first weeks of October, and also at the end of October we are doing our own tour.
Stephen McMahon: When it comes to the reception of your music, how’s it going down? It is a summery kind of vibe, so do you find more people streaming your music when it comes to summer?
Joe: Yeah, it’s a weird aspect to the fact that people like the music more when it is summery outside. When we write it, we write it in winter and on the dark days and we always think of ‘how we can make it summery?’ when we put it online. People send us Snapchats of them listening to it with their BBQ. But its weird how you can capture a season in music. But overall to the music, we gage it with the gigs and the boring stats online, but Spotify shows that its reached Melbourne and is one of our biggest streaming areas, LA is big as well. Brighton in the UK is big for us. Sha
zam and Spotify is helping a lot, technology is great nowadays on how we can see where people are listening. We do have a new single coming out soon September and October time.
Stephen McMahon: What’s initially attracted you to Boardmasters, and made you want to take part in it?
Joe: Well, when we got the email we were really excited to be going. Like I’ve always seen photos of my mates there and it looks great. Also its one of the latest ones in the summer, so its one you have to wait for. Personally I’ve never been surfing, so for it to also be a surfing festival, it looks rad, I really want to try it. When I see all of that going on, its not just a normal festival. They have a great band to DJ’s ratio too.
Stephen McMahon: You’re not entirely new to performing, you have played all over the place, as a band can you describe the differences between playing a festival and a headline show in a music venue
Joe: I guess the difference is that you’re playing to a large amount of people, half of them know your stuff, but also they might be at their stage because their band is on later and they’re picking their spot. So it’s a great challenge to playing to your audience and also trying to capture new people who may be your fans. The good part is that stages at festivals are much bigger so we can our full band out to some of these festival dates. We get to hang out with loads of bands and meet loads of great people too.
Stephen McMahon: Your set at Boardmasters is Friday, Land of Saints stage, 3 o’clock. What can we expect from your set in particular?
Joe: I believe we have 30 minutes, which is very challenging because at the moment we are playing a lot from the first EP, the second EP as well, also we have 3 singles coming up within the next months and we want to try them out and get the hype out. Its going to be fast paced because were trying to fit so much in the short space of time we have. The usual energetic party. We promise to bring the sun out as well.
Stephen McMahon: Who would you recommend to also go see at Boardmasters?
Joe: On Sunday, Raleigh Ritchie is playing, his band are absolutely crazy! Such a good atmosphere. There is a new album from him recently as well. Rat Boy as well, hes doing loads at the minute, he’s crazy too. M
aximo park, I want to see. Toucan as well is a DJ, she’s really good. She’s performing the corona sunset beach but also one of the after parties in Newquay. Lianne La Havas as well is really cool, very varied in her music approach.
Stephen McMahon: What is the plan for Youth Club in the next 6 months?
Joe: We have a new single called ‘Sorry’ coming out September/October time. We’re supporting Young Kato in the first weeks of October and also we have our own tour at the end of October as well.
Stephen McMahon: Lastly, what’s the best 3 things you’re most looking forward to at Boardmasters?
Joe:
1) Going to the corona DJ stage on Thursday and getting lost in the music all night there.
2) I’m so excited to actually be playing at Boardmasters.
3) Also I’ve been told there is a pie and mash van. And I LOVE pie and mash! So I will definitely have to hunt that van down when I’m there.
