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Glasgow-based Indie outfit Speak Easy Circus recently released their latest single ‘Lions Should Hunt’ and guitarist/vocalist Jack joined us for a run-through of all the juicy details on the band. Catch up with Jack below…
What are the origins of the band, how long have you been playing together?
JACK: During my time at university I flirted with playing music full time, it was always what I wanted to do but I had never really made the full push that you need. Once I finished university I decided that I had two options, I could get a job and consign myself to the fact that music would always be a hobby, or I could commit and try my best to make something of it. So I looked into renting a place in London, screamed at my computer screen when I saw how much it would cost, and decided to move to Glasgow instead.
When I first arrived in Glasgow I began looking for a band and tried to play with as many people as possible, including a Radiohead cover band for a while. I really wanted to form a band that combined all the different music that I listened to but I was never able to find the right group of people for my own project though until I met Jon and Chats whilst we were all playing in a different band together. When that band disintegrated I knew that I had to get them involved, so I told them they would get all the riches the music world had to offer if they joined. I lied. That was around a year and a half ago and by that point, it was too late, we were introduced to Frazer through a mutual friend, and Speak Easy Circus as we know it today was formed.
How did you feel performing your first gig? And how was it?!
JACK: Each of us had quite a lot of experience playing gigs previously, and Chats, Jon, and I had spent the last year playing in a different band together, so it felt very natural to play our first show as Speak Easy Circus. I think the crowd picks up on the fact that we have fun together on stage so they come along for the ride.
When I did my first open mic, it was a different story entirely. I was incredibly nervous. However, over time it is something that you get used to. Every time there is a small step up in venue etc. then you get those butterflies again but that is part of what makes it exciting.
What should people expect when they check the band/you out? How would you describe yourself?
JACK: We would best describe our music as experimental indie/funk. But when people first listen to our music the initial thing we would like them to think is that this is something different and unique, something that they might not have heard before. We want to make music that we would listen to, and the music that we listen to is eclectic, exciting, meaningful, and doesn’t take itself too seriously all at the same time, so if people went away from our music thinking anything like that then we would take that as a win!
The new music scene is bursting at the seams with fresh talent, in what ways do you feel that a band has to stand out from the others trying to build a name?
JACK: I think that it can be counterproductive to be constantly thinking about how to stand out amongst a sea of very talented people, you will drive yourself crazy. I think that you should try and make the music that you like to make, in the best possible way, and try to get as many people as possible to listen to it, then cross your fingers and hope that people connect with it.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
JACK: Our new single ‘Lions Should Hunt’ was released on the 22nd of January which you can listen to on Spotify/Apple Music etc.
The inspiration for the song came after I saw an advert featuring a busty blonde model seductively selling something and I was annoyed that this was what people thought would be an effective advertising technique, and annoyed by the fact that it probably was effective! I took that further to think about how men are taught to think about sex, the effect that concepts of masculinity have on us, etc.
It is a combination of all of our musical influences, each member of the band comes from a different musical background so all of our songs tend to somewhat of a melting pot. This song began life as a disco/dance demo, my instructions to the band were to aim for ‘angry disco’. We combined this with some horn lines and some thumping drums and that is what created the song.
What band out there at the minute do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
JACK: I would love to open for Jack White! His shows are always so energetic and he really brings the crowd into play, whilst also not being afraid to experiment with sounds and song structures, etc. I feel like a crowd at a Jack White show would like our music!
Who do you feel is the next band to break out?
JACK: Us.
Seriously though, there are some great bands and acts in the Glasgow scene that look like they are gonna blow up soon. Corto.alto is a great example. Joesef has been having loads of success recently. Flew the Arrow. Really there are so many quality bands in Glasgow.
What are your first musical memories? And what was the light bulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
JACK: My earliest memory of playing music is probably playing an old piano that my mum had in the house when I was around 5/6. But the moment I really became interested in music was when I was in my Dad’s car coming back from the ice rink when he put on Guns ’n ’Roses ‘Appetite for Destruction’. That album blew my mind and made me want to play the guitar. For my 10th birthday I got an electric guitar and the ‘Appetite ’guitar book and that was it for me.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
JACK: The last gig I saw as a fan would have been The Libertines at the Barrowlands in Glasgow. Great show and 14 year old me was so happy to finally be able to see them.
Chats (our bassist) went to see a pretty cool band called Doctor Octopus in Glasgow.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
JACK: All of us in the band have quite a varied music taste, so we listen to lots of different styles, but I don’t know if they would really be surprising. Some albums we’ve been listening to recently are Madvillainy (RIP MF DOOM), Big Fish Theory by Vince Staples, Big Sun by Chassol.
When I asked Chats this question he said the ‘Super Meat Boy Soundtrack’…I’ll let you be the judge of whether that is surprising!
Although 2020 has been a year to forget for many reasons, there has been some incredible music released; what would be your album of the year?
JACK: The first album that comes to mind is ‘Punisher’ by Phoebe Bridgers. Just a great album that seemed to fit the year as well.
An honourable mention should also go to ‘#KingButch’ by Butcher Brown.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
We are always posting hot content, like all of your coolest and favouritest bands. You can find some of it here:
