Earlier this year Athlete played in Manchester to just over 400 people. Tonight they are about to play to a sell out crowd at the Academy venue. Last time they were in town barely an eyebrow was raised. Tonight I am last in a long line of interviews. Everyone it seems wants a piece of Athlete. With a Mercury prize nomination for the highly acclaimed debut album Vehicles and Animals, and a Q award nomination for Best New Band it has been a phenomenal year.The first question to bassist Carey Willets and keyboard player Tim Wanstall is an obvious one then.
How would you describe your year?
A beam of a smile crosses Tim’s face. “F***in’ brill!” “It’s mad” adds Carey “last year we played to 400 fans now most of our tour has sold out and we have had to move most of them to larger venues”. Indeed tonight’s gig has moved across from the smaller Academy 2 venue. “Earlier in the year we said it would be great to play the Brixton Academy. Now we have a date booked there in January and it is almost sold out already.”
Have you any idea why it has happened?
“There are more and more people getting into the band” says Tim. The good thing is it’s been done without press hype. Its been more a word of mouth thing.” Carey agrees. “Everyone feels they have a vested interest. They feel they discovered us. We’re everyone’s little secret”.
It’s difficult in such a great year but what have the highlights been?
“All of it. Doing Glastonbury was good. Just being there. And the album going double gold”. Just getting an album released was a highlight but for it to have done so well. It’s been a slow burner which has been a stronger way to do it really”. Tim is in no doubt what the highlight has been for him for him though.
“Definitely the Mercury nomination. As writers that has got to be a real honour. A lot of previous winners have been people we really admire.”
You mentioned Glastonbury, but you did quite a few festivals. Which was the best?
“They were all good in different ways. Glastonbury has to be special but for sheer size and crowd reaction V was amazing. Even the small tent at T In The Park was great because it was packed to the rafters.
What’s next?
“After the January tour its into the studio and hopefully release the next album in summer with possibly some festival dates to support it.”
Has the success of Vehicles and Animals put more pressure on regarding the next album?
“Well there’s a kind of pressure for any album anyway. We put that pressure on ourselves. To be a really good band you have to come up with the goods, and we feel we have some really good songs for the next album,” Later they debut two songs “Tourist” and “Wires” and it appears that their prognosis is correct.
One of the strengths of Vehicles and Animals is it’s diversity. How do you explain that?
“The fact that there are four of us doing the writing contributes to that. We each have a different perspective to bring”
Did you know when you wrote You’ve got The Style how catchy it was going to be?”
“Well the catchy line “Its getting hot in here must be something in the atmosphere” was the first line Joe brought to us. But the verses were the first to finished. We actually struggled with the chorus. We realised after we recorded it and played it back that it was something special. It’s a hook that draws people in”
“The song that is really special to us is Westside” muses Tim “That was the first song we sent as a demo and it started it all off really. It also appears special to the fans as it always gets a great reception.”
It’s difficult to pigeonhole your style. Who are your influences?
“Everyone’s influences are different. The main ones are bands like Grandaddy, Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev”
And finally. What scares you most Crocodiles or Aeroplanes?
Both are in agreement. Crocodiles obviously.
With thanks to Athlete and their management.
Interview by Paul Heyes. |
