some of the softer, more vulnerable moments translating live. We'd love to get album closers Pioneering Systems and Dawn Chorus into the show as that’s new ground for us. At Glastonbury you performed Marks to Prove It with Jamie T, was is easily a contender for collaboration of the year. How did that come about? We have known Jamie for a long time, since our very early days of playing gigs nearly ten years back. His music means a lot to us, it was just something we had talked about for a while that we could finally put together. With four records to choose from, is it difficult putting together set lists? Te best thing about Marks to Prove It live is that somehow the songs shed positive light and perspective on everything that's gone before, which we had found hard touring Given To Te Wild. It makes the balance much easier actually and has given new life to very old songs like Precious Time. As a five piece you must have a lot of individual opinions amongst you; is it difficult to all be happy when making creative decisions like when song writing and rehearsing shows? Were there any major compromises whilst making the new album? It is usually the hardest part and a constantly evolving thing. Over time we've learnt that having a band that has shared ownership doesn't always mean sharing every decision, especially creatively, as you go backwards or nowhere often. So the last few years have been an exercise in allowing each other the space to see ideas through as much as possible. It doesn't always work, but when it does it’s magic. Te recording of the new album was described as ‘tricky’ and ‘traumatic’, have there ever been any times you’ve been close to packing it all in? Tere were moments during the record that felt like we just weren't going to get out of it with anything. But I guess sometimes you need to go there to really re-assess and work out what you are trying to achieve. I think it all was very worthwhile now, because we've made an album that I think will last.
18 / November 2015/
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Tere were moments during it I'm not sure any of us were sure we were going to get there! You’ve spoken a lot about your residency around London’s Elephant & Castle – the area that features on the cover of Marks… – and put out a documentary film recently about life there. Te film focuses less on the band and more on other people in that community. Why did you choose to do that? Tat was the main thing about commissioning a film that excited us. It became a subtle document of lots of different types of people trying to achieve something for themselves in the same area, at the same time but in their own way. It's healthy perspective
record. What’s the story behind it? It was one of the first songs for the record, which came about through the usual collision of different things we had over time. Te film actually documents some of the writing of it. Lyrically it concerns being happy for someone when they've found something good. Now on your fourth album, do you find it difficult to generate new ideas and not get stuck doing the same thing again and again? Sometimes you have to think a bit in order to stop noticing your own 'tricks' and make music that is new to you. But I think we have more ideas now than we ever have to be honest, it's just finding a place and having the discipline to put them somewhere concise which is harder. You announced extra London dates on your upcoming tour – currently you have three nights lined up at Brixton’s O2 Academy. Are there still nerves despite how long you’ve been doing big shows? It quite often depends on the moment. Sometimes you are just nervous and you are not sure why. Or you can he playing a huge show and just not feel it at
and in turn, a celebration of the diversity within the area. A lot of your music is huge and atmospheric but a lot is also delicate and downbeat. How much consideration do you put in to the tone of a record when you’re making it? Te detail is what often takes the longest time. Tis time the hardest thing to pull off was allowing the music to he exposed and honest and vulnerable where it needed to be. Our knee jerk on Given To Te Wild was to make soundscapes that could mask things. So we were trying to keep some of those atmospheres but put them across in more detailed and focused ways. Tat can be a tricky thing to pull off. But as a result, the songs really translate in their intended form from record to stage and that was an early goal. Something Like Happiness is a one of my favourite songs from the new
all. Brixton is of huge significance to us so I'm sure it will feel special. We’re very much looking forward to your show at Norwich UEA; what can you tell us about the show you’ll be performing? It's going to be music from across all four records. We are touring with Rebekah Raa who is playing piano and singing and Memby Jago who is an extremely talented percussionist and brass. You are always a bit in the lap of the gods buts it's our best set of songs and best we've ever been so I hope it'll be a really memorable thing.
Alex Cabre
INFORMATION Te Maccabees play the LCR on 20th November. Read the full interview online at
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