After spending the last few months releasing a wave of diverse and captivating releases, London-based outfit Ready, Steady, Die! have now returned to share their highly-anticipated debut album 'Pleasure Ride'.
With nods to the worlds of trip-hop, synth-pop, and dark-pop throughout, 'Pleasure Ride' makes for an incredibly bold and intense introduction to the duo. With notable comparisons to the likes of Massive Attack, Muse, and Depeche Mode for their recent singles, this new collection is a rare and wondrous delight on the new music horizon.
So with their first full-length available now, we sat them down to find out more about their origins and what has inspired them most over the years.
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What were the first instruments you fell in love with?
Morgan: Was fortunate enough to have a Minimoog in the family. At age 4, I couldn’t get enough of filter cutoff sweeps. Naturally Kraftwerk became like crack to me.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Sam: An overwhelming interest in people.
Morgan: Trying to express what can be put into words.
What kind of music did you love as teenagers?
Sam: Steely Dan. Beach boys. Stevie Wonder. Sly and the family Stone. Joni Mitchell. Carly Simon. Mamas and Papas. Blondie.
Morgan: Depeche Mode, The Blue Nile, Eurythmics, Kate Bush.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
Sam: Both sides now - Joni Mitchell.
Morgan: Get In the Swing - Sparks (made in my Dad’s studio where the aforementioned Minimoog lived)
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Sam: Classical.
Morgan: I’ve been digging a French station called FIP. Maybe because I can’t travel to Paris right now… hahah. It is both comforting but also allows me to discover new music all the time.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Sam: All of them.
Morgan: I used to only be able to write songs about other people’s voyages. Later in life, that felt disingenuous and it became more natural to delve inside.
What have been the most memorable moments in your career so far?
Sam: Someone who feels the need to let us know how they have related to our lyrics but actually their interpretation has been more meaningful than the original message.
Morgan : Playing in front of thousands of people, solo, opening up for my Dad and Woody Woodmansey’s Holy Holy. A real eye opener.
Outside of music, what are your biggest passions?
Sam: Dogs. Playwriting.
Morgan: Travel, photography, food.
If you weren’t musicians, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Sam: Author. Still working on it.
Morgan: Something visual. Animator maybe?
And what advice would you give to those looking to start a career in music?
Sam: Perhaps ‘career’ isn’t the way to view it. This is not a road for the faint hearted. You should do it because you love it and making a living out of it would be just a luscious bonus.
Morgan: Be good at more than one thing. Bits of the business may die off but others are blossoming. Being able to develop new skills and methods is the key to staying solvent and not get bored.
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Ready, Steady, Die!'s new album 'Pleasure Ride' is available to stream and download now. Watch the video for the lead single 'Deep' in the player below.