Since the release of their latest single ‘Grow’, we catch up with Brighton-based band Submariner to discuss how the response has been to the single and we also speak about their upcoming single ‘Stumbling’, which is released this Friday (November 3).
What have you guys been up to since we last spoke to you in the summer?
Writing! Haha. We’ve been having a bit of an overhaul. We had a few shows to road test new material before tour and it fell wonderfully into place. We’ll be showcasing our best work so far at the next batch of shows and we can’t wait to get going.
How did Submariner form?
A couple of years ago I’d gotten to know our scene in Southampton pretty well from playing shows on my own. I’d been in bands before that had all fallen apart. I really wanted to get back in a band and felt I had the knowledge/experience to make a proper go of it. I and some friends got in a room, made some music and started playing shows. We had a bit of a rollercoaster ride in the first year and the line up changed a few times but we eventually found our Rytmn and became established for the band that we are now.
What is the music scene like in Brighton?
Wonderful. Diverse and most importantly, alive. When we first moved here we were pleasantly surprised at how many people go out to shows. There are so many venues of all shapes, sizes and varieties which makes it easy for people to get involved.
What was the catalyst for picking up instruments and wanting to start a band?
Personally I was always very interested in writing songs. I think some people see an idol playing guitar and they decide they want to be the sickest guitarist in the world and they learn every scale and lock themselves away practicing. I was always more interested in using music as a way to tell a story, to self express. Maybe that’s just my an excuse for being a bad guitarist? That’s probably what alex would say haha.
Were you very influential to music when growing up or did you establish your own musical prefrences?
Click the image to read the full review!
At a very young age the music I was exposed to was naturally dreadful. Got in to what we called alternative music was I was 8 years old and my brother and sister showed me blink 182’s song about having relations with a dog. I listened to the rest of the album and was hooked. Went in and out of phases like you do when you’re young. When I was 15 I got in to Radiohead and it literally changed my life. It changed how I think about listening, making and even releasing music.I still think they’re the greatest band in the world.
Since we premiered your last single ‘Grow’, how has the reaction been with fans and critics?
Positive and surprised. I don’t think many people (including ourselves) were expecting to go in that direction. It’s an older song of mine that I’ve had knocking around for some time. I recorded it with Wild Front’s Joe Connell around two years ago but didn’t have a place for it. I showed it to the guys over summer and they loved it so we just put it out and gigged it a few times. I saw it as a nice little bonus song that ended up being received well.
What’s the meaning behind your new single ‘Stumbling’?
Stumbling is about being aware of your mistakes as your making them. It came about after a crazy few days in Brighton back in February. I like to see it as being caught up in the storm of your own desire, making choices that might not be good for you or those around you but in the moment it felt right. There’s an element of innocence there like saying to yourself ‘I know this could backfire but I want this and I’ll make it okay.’ I’m a bit of a drama queen.
How excited are you guys for the singles tour next month?
Very very excited, we’ve got our most prevalent headline shows to date and they’re selling really well. We’re playing shows in places we’ve never played before and playing alongside some incredible bands. Most importantly we have the best set of songs we’ve ever had, there’s a lot of dynamic to the show and I can’t wait to get on stage and lose my shit.
After that, what’s next for Submariner?
We’re going to take some downtime to record with a new producer. We’ve released a fair few breezy summery songs this year which has been fun but things are about to get darker. We’re going to spend some serious time on our next single and start next year with a bang. We were in the first 8 acts annoyed for Portsmouth’s Icebreaker festival which happens at the start of February, we’re very excited for that. We’re currently planning a spring tour and already getting excited for festival season next year .
Submariner head out on their ‘Stumbling’ tour on Saturday! Tickets for Southampton are available via See tickets here.
