After establishing themselves with a breadth of impactful singles these last few years, Edinburgh-based outfit Fright Years are back on the grind once again with their euphoric new effort 'Evil'.
Bringing back more of that broad and dynamic indie-rock aesthetic they have been building for themselves since they first emerged, 'Evil' makes for a rousing return for the four-piece. With its rich and driven textures, soaring atmosphere, and mesmerising vocals layered throughout, they are returning to the fold with one of their most anthemic cuts to date here.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their background and what has been inspiring them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
My mum’s piano.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I’ve always loved storytelling songwriters like Carole king, Corinne Bailey Rae and KT Tunstall. Once I started playing piano, I got into bands like the killers, Keane and Radiohead who expanded that piano-based storytelling into big indie-rock songs.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Lily Allen ‘Alright Still’
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
‘Blue Heaven’ - by Public Service Broadcasting.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
If I’m stuck for ideas when just writing at the piano, I usually open logic and try to start an idea from a random sound I’ve never used before. It helps to take you somewhere new, and become less rigid and intentional. Especially if it’s a sound you usually wouldn’t go for - some of my favourite demos have developed from sounds that at first I hated.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Divorce- their new EP is amazing, LCD Soundststem, Gretel Hanlyn’s album, Boygenius.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Bruce Springsteen - in my dreams he will invite me on to sing ‘I’m on fire.’
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I know the idea of having something you were ‘meant to do’ is a bit romantic but it really is where I find my own value and purpose. It’s pretty amazing to have something overarching that orients your bad or boring days, and it’s self-fulfilling; to create something out of nothing will always be exciting.
And what is the most frustrating part?
When you have a strong vision of how you want something to sound and look, it look can be hard to accept the limitations that come with being a new band. When working on our own, with a small budget, certain elements can be lost to a time-pressed recording process. It is difficult to let go of potential outcomes and accept something as finished.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
‘You could have your best idea tonight’ Sometimes songwriting feels quite mystical and subconscious, like ideas develop out of nowhere and you have to wait for that moment to happen to you. But you still have to ‘turn up’ for that process to work.
You have to sit down at the piano or allocate time to all be together in order to produce anything at all, no matter if it feels natural or mechanical. Putting more focus on time rather than output definitely helps us to develop those half written ideas into finished songs.
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Fright Years' new single 'Evil' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.