Following on from the release of their breakthrough single 'Lover' at the start of the year, Blackpool-based outfit Darwin & The Finches now return with their anthemic new offering 'Hold The Line'.
Channelling a bold and effervescent energy throughout, 'Hold The Line' makes for an incredibly engaging comeback for the trio. Filled with cacophonous drums, spritely hooks, and a killer chorus to boot, it feels like these guys are set to have one hell of a year ahead of them.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has inspired them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Mick - The guitar. I had an uncle that left a Spanish guitar at the house when I was a kid and I just loved making noise on it. I couldn't play any chords but just loved trying.
Liam - Drums are my first, last and everything when it comes to my love of musical instruments, although it’s not the dirst instrument I ever played. I joined the school band at age 11 playing brass instruments - Euphonium and Trombone - they were my gateway to the school music room for me to bash around on the kit.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Mick - I was really into the early Manchester scene as a young teenager. That sound just pulsated across the whole North West of England and encapsulated everyone I knew. You couldn't escape it.
Liam - How young are we talking? If we go right back I remember laughing my head off to Paul McCartney’s The Frog Chorus when I was about 4, and bouncing round the living room to Nelly The Elephant, the Toy Dolls version. Around the same time I had a cassette of Keith Harris and Orville, Keith was a ventriloquist and Orville was his green duck/dummy in a nappy. Surreal stuff but I was a massive fan. As I grew older I bought a couple of MC Hammer singles and Vanilla Ice’s Ice Ice Baby which was a massive hit at the time but the first band I really fell in love with was Bon Jovi. From there, I’ve always been into Rock and when Nevermind came out that turned me onto Grunge and the Seattle Sound. I also loved Green Day and the pop punk stuff of the 90’s and being from the North of England I was pretty taken with the Madchester Scene and Britpop in my mid teens but my overall favourite band from around the mid nineties and I still love them now is Silverchair. I feel like I went on a real journey with them. Daniel Johns is a genius.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Mick - I think it was a Bros album, awful I know but I was only 9 at the time I think.
Liam - Keep The Faith by Bon Jovi.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Mick - There're so many great songs but Everytime I hear that's entertainment by the jam, I wish I'd written it. It just sums up everything about youth culture, working class living and the pulse through your bones that makes you wanna scream. I guess it reminds me of cold dark November nights travelling to band practice with 4 cigarettes left and a busted guitar.
Liam - Happy Birthday.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Mick - I just try and get out of my own way really. I try not to think too hard or it just becomes a chase and I end up losing. It's best I find to just let the process happen and go with it.
Liam - I usually have a pint.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Mick - At the minute I'm listening to a lot of the dead weather and I keep going back to the Smiths. I'm still just mesmerised by the wizard that is Johnny Marr.
Liam - Right now I’m loving The Blinders, they’re ticking all the boxes for me right now. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are on heavy rotation as are Royal Blood.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Mick - Opening the show for Neil Young would be pretty cool. I reckon he's seen and done it all so the dressing room pre gig chatter would be mega.
Liam - Does this answer have to fit musically with us? If not then Opening for Bruce Springsteen would be great if you could arrange that, cheers.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Mick - The best bit is the bit where you're playing and you forget where you are and time slips into the back room; it's just you and eternity in a split second where everything lines up perfectly. That bit is pretty cool. I like that bit.
Liam - The way that making music feeds the soul, it’s not something I want to do, it’s something I need.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Mick - Chasing the muse is the most frustrating thing and wanting it too much. Music is much better if it comes to you, rather than the other way round.
Liam - Getting people to listen. There’s so much stuff out there, so many bands that it’s difficult to grab people's attention.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Mick - Just get on with it. Don't wait or waste time thinking about it, just get on. Figure it out when it happens.
Liam - Play for the song.
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Darwin & The Finches' new single 'Hold The Line' is available to stream and download now. Check it out in the player below.