Slow Club - Interview

After seeing Slow Club tonight at Barfly for The Fly Presents..., I can safely confirm that Slow Club have matured to become a band in their own right and they're also very fantastic at performing drunk, as shown tonight.


Anyway, last week our writer Holly was lucky enough to interview Slow Club after their gig at Lancaster Library (17th September) so here's the wonderful interview for your listening pleasure below. Enjoy!

Holly - "Charles and Rebecca talk Beyoncé, books, good gig venues and pre-gig rituals. (Also including an exclusive [2 second] snippet of a demo! ha.)"
Slow Club interview 17/09/11 by hollysses

By Holly Read-Challen
Photography by Aurora Mitchell

Slow Club - Where I'm Waking/Rough Trade East Instore

“Where I’m Waking” is the second single to be taken from Slow Club’s second album “Paradise” (release date September 12th 2011) and after the mixed reactions of “Two Cousins” there was much speculation over whether to expect anything great from the following single.

“Where I’m Waking” is upbeat, full of fantastic vocals on both Rebecca and Charles’ behalves and an almighty drumbeat. “Where I’m Waking” demonstrates how Slow Club have matured from “Yeah So” and the song is accessible to many more listeners and I have no doubt that it will do incredibly well.

To accompany the album release, Slow Club performed an instore gig at Rough Trade East, London. A large amount of fans, young and old queued outside and they were not disappointed. Rebecca and Charles performed a beautiful set entirely of new songs including the two latest singles; “Where I’m Waking” and “Two Cousins”.

Rebecca asked the crowd who had bought their new album and with a response she asked them to email her their thoughts to beyonce@beyonce.com”, demonstrating they have not lost their lovely sense of humour when performing live.

Both of their vocals were stronger than ever and the introduction of two new live members has worked in the band’s favour.

I recommend seeing Slow Club on their tour this month (http://www.slowclubband.com/category/gigs) as you will not be disappointed.

By Julia Christmas
Photography By Lucy Ansell

Slow Club - Paradise

Paradise starts off with a bang, soulful and punchy with electronic undertones, lead single 'Two Cousins' sees a departure from Slow Club's 2009 debut full length 'Yeah So' which was more of an ode to teenage heartbreak and all things 'twee'. Whether Slow Club have done this consciously or not, they will definitely shake off the twee tag with Paradise. Some of this album feels like it's advert ready with 'Two Cousins' sounding like the soundtrack to a KFC advert, whereas 'Never Look Back' could easily replace the current M&S advert. Although not quite so different that it's unrecognisable, this Sheffield duo's sophomore effort has matured with the band like a fine wine. As Rebecca and Charles harmonise on 'Where I'm Waking', "You've got something to smile about", rest assured they have something to smile about with this album. 

Featuring more of Rebecca's glorious vocals and trademark drums that seem to fully establish themselves throughout the album, Paradise sees Slow Club fully in their element. Although a lot more bipolar emotionally than 'Yeah So', it's great to see the contrast such as on 'Where I'm Waking' which is a discombobulation of crashing drums and shouting vocals where 'Hackney Marsh' is more mellow and acoustic. Although following the same themes as their debut, Slow Club have adapted their sound for the tricky second album but they've succeeded, much like Noah and the Whale's transition between Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down and The First Days of Spring, Slow Club are opting for a slightly more solemn approach which seems to prove popular. 

8/10

By Aurora Mitchell