INTERVIEW
have gone down really well! Are you happy with how the record turned out? Yes, definitely. I think it’s a really solid bit of work and I’m very, very happy with it. Of course, there are things I think we can do better but that’s just further reason to keep pushing, to keep releasing things. Which album tracks are you most proud of, and why? I’m quite proud of A Giant Came Down at the moment. The chords and the words together touch on something deeply personal and private. It feels like a part of me, and I didn’t intentionally design it to be that way, it just happened. And for whatever reason, that makes me like it even more. Mass is quite open, discussing a lot of different issues – from depression to anxiety – why do you think louder and aggressive bands like yourself are choosing to be more tender with subject matter? I think it’s just observation really. Unfortunately, it’s quite hard to look anywhere without finding some vein of depression or anxiety, I think. It’s in our friends, our loved ones, the masses on twitter or in the news, it’s everywhere. It would be quite difficult for a musician to not pick up on it. It feels quite oppressive sometimes. I think
when louder, angrier bands sing about an issue, the natural way for them to do it is to be confrontational about it. But depression has to be approached with open conversation and hope at heart, so I suppose that creates this tenderness of which you speak. You have a song titled Cowboy, which references problems that face men. A few other bands are also referencing cowboys, is this part of a wider reinterpretation of masculinity do you think? I like that a Cowboy is an old face of masculinity that nowadays is the subject of kids’ games and toys. It frames the idea as old fashioned and childish. Maybe that’s why those other bands are using it too? I wouldn’t know. You’ve referenced in previous interviews that a lot of the music on the new album is reflective of the place you were in at the time of writing – do you think experiencing things first-hand is always intrinsic to songwriting? Not always, I don’t like to think that anything in particular is required for the input of songwriting. It’s impossible for a musician to not have a piece of themselves in what they make, but I also believe it’s possible to create something from nothing.
10 / OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2019 /
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You’ve said before you’re going for the whole punk band thing, would you agree you’re still going for that? Fuck, I don’t remember that. I say a lot of things and I change my mind all the time. I used to think that everything needed an answer, but I don’t think that anymore. I wouldn’t agree that that’s what we’re going for, I don’t think we’re going for any genre at all we’re just making what feels good. You’re on for quite a big tour in February! What’s your favourite aspect of touring? Definitely the gigs. Seeing things and being in places I would have never seen or been to if it wasn’t for touring is a close second. What further plans do you have for the future? Lots of plans. We’re already working on the next release, it’s got a name and I’m itching to get on recording it in a few months’ time. We’re working on a few more things in the name of Mass and we’re figuring out some stuff for our live show. We’re moving faster than we ever have before; it’s a little crazy. And any plans for when you come to Norwich? Have ourselves a really good time.
Words Erin Bashford/ Callum Gray
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