With their highly-anticipated new EP 'Music For Pleasure' set to drop next month, London-based indie-rockers The Strange Days have been busy unveiling a flurry of preview singles and have now returned with their latest effort 'Why Would You'.
With its blistering guitar hooks and infectious energy, 'Why Would You' is the perfect remedy to knock you out of those lockdown blues. Lifted from their new EP 'Music For Pleasure', their first of two new EPs arriving this year, the band are set too become one of the most talked about new artists of the year so far.
So with their name firmly on the rise, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has inspired them over the years.
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What were the first instruments you fell in love with?
This is actually a bit of a sore subject. Obviously the timpani, but I cannot deny I did once have a fling with quite a saucy balalaika. Her name was Anastasia. She left me for Ash. We don't like to talk about it.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Despite a clawing sense of hopelessness, I'd have to say Russian-singing tongue wizard, Vitas.
What kind of music did you love as teenagers?
Of course there’s Blur, there’s Vampire Weekend, there’s Bombay Bicycle Club. But my real hero was Russian-singing tongue wizard, Vitas.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
Have you ever heard the Thunderbirds theme?
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Every morning I listen to the headlines, and the continued news of humanity’s collective imprisonment in their own homes acts as music to my sadistic ears. That, and maybe a bit of Kraftwerk.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
When I was just a little boy, I went for a leisurely hike around the local recreation ground. I strolled past the graveyard, thereupon I saw a man dressed only in frilly tablecloths emblazoned with fascist propaganda, screeching all the words to ‘Candle In The Wind’ in a pitch so high I later learned that many of the dogs local to the area were alerted. In a futile attempt to understand his existence, every song I have ever written has been about that man. I’m still figuring it out.
What have been the most memorable moments in your career so far?
Years ago, I was lost and looking for a particular rehearsal studio in West London. I stopped a guy on the street to ask for directions. It just so happened to be Suede's own Brett Anderson. Without saying anything or even breaking his stride he pointed me in the right direction. It's been downhill for me ever since.
Outside of music, what are your biggest passions?
Lichens.
If you weren’t musicians, what other path do you think you might have taken?
I'm a drummer so I guess I'm still not a musician. So whatever path I'm on right now is the one I'd take.
And what advice would you give to those looking to start a career in music?
Don't be the drummer.
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The Strange Days will release their new EP 'Music For Pleasure' on the 3rd July. Have a listen to the new single 'Why Would You' in the player below.