In our biggest interview yet we chat to the indie pop legends Portugal. The Man! With their eighth studio album ‘Woodstock’ coming June 16th on Atlantic Records, we discuss their hit single ‘Feel It Still’, their so called ‘free time’ and how they make their amazing songs.
So, what was it like to start a band in Alaska?
We learned how to play up there! For everything we recorded and you’ve heard, there’s thousands of hours of bad punk rock and metal that never got recorded. We had the benefit of long winters to stay inside and practice!
I’ve listened to the album and there seems to be an album that was influenced heavily by an alternative hip hop and pop blend. Did your producer, Mike Diamond and Mac Miller have a big influence on this?
For sure, those personalities come through and help shape the sounds, but we grew up loving hip hop as well! We wanted to honor as many of our influences on this record that we could get away with.
‘Feel It Still’ is a very powerful track to debut your new album ‘Woodstock’. Why did you decide to release this first?
It was the last song we recorded from the album, and we loved the feel of it all so much that it seemed undeniable to lead off with. We were really excited about how it turned out and couldn’t wait to share!
You played at Omeara, London on last week (May 23rd) is there a difference in the atmosphere towards music in the UK and the States?
Ultimately, not really! Rock and roll translates across borders pretty seamlessly. Omeara felt electric and we came out thinking that was one of the best shows we’ve ever played. That crowd SLAYED.
When not in the studio, what do you guys love to do in your free time?
What’s free time?? We’re always working! We rehearse and write as often as we can. Sometimes we have to force ourselves back home and spend some time with our families, but we’re always recording or writing something or another.
Tell us about your aims when creating music, and where does that aim stem from?
Honestly, we write what we want to hear. We have a pretty short attention span as a unit, so if someone gets stoked on an old Motown track or hears something they’re really excited about, we’ll try to take inspiration from that and try to twist our own feel out of it.
Tell us about what it was like when you first started writing?
I think that ends up just being something that compels you. If you sit down like “I’m gonna write a song today” it never, ever, ever works.
What made you change your mind about recording “Gloomin + Doomin”?
A bunch of that material made it onto Woodstock, but honestly, it was just a change of focus. With everything that happened in the political and social attitudes in America this last year, we felt like our record needed to say something meaningful from start to finish. It was a way for us to stay honest and thematic.
Are there any new bands out there you would recommend to us?
Adore Life by Savages is a banger. Broncho and Cage The Elephant are bands that we’re still cranking a full year after touring with them. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles (1959-1968). It’s not new but damn is it fresh.
To pre-order Portugal. The Man’s new album ‘Woodstock’ here! > https://atlantic.lnk.to/WoodstockFA
You can also read our review of their hit single ‘Feel It Still’.
