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Thursday 31 March 2011

Brother Interview

So last week I was lucky enough to ask British band Brother a couple of quick questions regarding their recent tour with The Streets & future plans. Read the full interview below and once again thanks to Brother & frontman Lee Newell for taking the time to answer.

Web: www.acidlove.net 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Brother
Twitter: www.twitter.com/vivabrother
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/BROTHERslough


SOS: Hi guys, firstly I want to say thank you very much for taking the time out to speak to me today. 

Lee: Not a prob

Brother. Is there any story behind that name choice? 

Well sort of. When we first came up with it, it was fairly throwaway. We wanted something to the point. Something that would look good at the top of a festival bill. But as the band has grown it's meaning has become more apparent. We do carry with us a somewhat gang like mentality and I think Brother reflects that.

How long have you been playing together as a band?

About two years, but live, only about 6 months. We spent alot of time writing songs in this empty freezing barn just out of Slough. We wanted to make sure that before we released anything to any outside humans that it was the best music we could write.

How would you describe your music and what has influenced you to pursue this career? 

Sonically I find each song carries it's own influences. From The Smiths to The Beatles to The Dandy Warhols to Chemical Bros to Blur. Whatever we're feeling at the time. Music I grew up on. The reason we started the band was firstly through our love of this music and secondly so we could get out of Slough and make something of ourselves. We couldn't handle working in offices any more.

I notice quite a hefty tour schedule coming up in April/May. What do you guys do to relax and do 
you find a tour of this size helps or hinders the writing process for new songs? 

We're writing all the time, so there is no problem. It's our job, we'll find time! We don't make it easy for ourselves as we get horrendous every night after the shows. 

Fortunately I was lucky enough to catch you supporting The Streets 3 times on their recent tour. How did that come about? Was it Mike who asked you personally, I know he often has fresh up and coming indie bands supporting him? 

Yeah he invited us which was a great opportunity for us to play in front of a completely different audience. It was good for us.

How did you find the whole experience of being on the road with The Streets?

They are good lads and work hard so yeah it was fairly sensible I'm afraid. Although we nearly got kicked off the tour after the first night after trashing our dressing room. Which may I add, is so passé...

Which brings me nicely on to my next question. May I ask where you guys pick up your shirts. They are very bright I must say haha!

Yeah brighter and louder than us. We pick most of them up from these two nice blokes in Brick Lane market. Most of our clothes are second hand as firstly that's all we can afford and secondly they are mostly ill fitting. Quite like us.

Following on with the trend of live dates congratulations on performing at this year’s SXSW.
How did you find the American crowds with you performing a very Brit influenced sound? Were the songs received well?

Yeah the Americans really get us. On a big scale. I love playing over there, it's like starting out again. I've got a great feeling about the US.

It’s also nice to see you are venturing in to my city during your May tour. I have lost count of the amount of bands who completely ignore Wales on their tours. It makes a nice change. I look forward to seeing you play at Clwb Ifor Bach (or ‘Welsh Club’ as us non Welsh speaking folk like to call it)!

Looking forward to it. I'm a big fan of Wales. The people in particular.

I’m glad ‘Still Here’ has received the video treatment.  A very cool and fitting video indeed.  Can fans expect an album in the near future? 

Indeed mate, July 4th it comes out and it's called 'Famous First Words'. We think between us and Stephen Street that we've created a masterpiece.

So what’s next for Brother after the release of the new single and up and coming live dates?

We have another single before the album then it's constantly touring. We're going back to the US to do Letterman among other things then UK, Europe, Japan, Australia and all the festivals! We are going to be exhausted. Can't wait, see you there for the revolution!

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