After establishing themselves with a string of vibrant efforts these last few years, Manchester-based outfit Church Party are now ready to cement their legacy to date with the release of their thunderous debut EP 'Cut The Colours'.
Featuring the previously shared tracks 'God Bless This Mess' and 'Back In The Room', this new five-track collection makes for a rousing introduction to their direction to date. With such a raw and driven approach to their sound, matched with some stunning hooks throughout, 'Cut The Colours' sees them continue their rise as one of the more exciting names doing the rounds today.
So with the new EP available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The guitar. We had some people come into school trying to sell us trumpets and saxophones, so being eight years old, I was allured by the shiny gold colours, not the sound itself. My Mum and older brother said ‘we’ll get you an instrument, but I think you should get a guitar because you’ll thank us when you’re older’. Reluctantly I accepted and it was one of the best and most important decisions of my life.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Everything really. Mum started us on Michael Jackson from an early age - I have great memories of dancing to the vinyl of Thriller in the living room aged four or five. I owe my passion for The Beatles to my Nan, I owe my love of British guitar music to my older brother and sister, who were teenagers when I was a kid, meaning Oasis, Blur, Pulp and Manic Street Preachers were on a loop in our house. Mum introduced me to Bowie and punk when I was a teenager in an attempt to dissuade me from getting too into nu metal (thanks Mum), and my Dad was a Northern Soul and folk obsessive who gave me my love of The Pogues, Marvin Gaye and much more.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I’m sure there were many copies of (What’s The Story?) Morning Glory passed around between me and my four siblings, so although I didn’t technically own it, it’s definitely the first album I remember blasting out from my own CD player whilst aping Liam Gallagher in my room.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
‘God Only Knows’ by Beach Boys and I think McCartney said the same. I envy most things written by Brian Wilson to be honest, because I know it’s simply music I couldn’t really replicate myself. Either that, OR, ‘Teenage Riot’ by Sonic Youth, because I don’t think one song could surmise so perfectly everything I love about guitar music, than THAT band doing THAT song.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
There’s not really a specific ritual as such, because the songs are born and developed in variable ways. Sometimes a melody will hit me at any given point of the day, so I’ll rush to my phone and guitar to make sure I record it and I can then match the chords with it. I’ll work on it over the next few days or weeks before sending it to the band group chat with just me on an acoustic guitar, and if they like it, we’ll rehearse it together. Some it’ll be the guitar line first; they usually come when I’m sat around with a spliff and a cup of tea trying to figure out Smiths or Pixies songs. And more and more these days, we write fresh in the room, with Rich, Mike or Matt fiddling about with something and the rest of us joining in. Take Her, for instance, was written this way. We’ve hit a purple patch of late, and we seem to have two or three new songs every band practice!
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
In terms of contemporary artists, I love Black Country New Road, because like I said with the Beach Boys, they’re one of the few artists I wouldn’t want to, and simply couldn’t even begin to consider replicating. Also, me and Rich love boygenius, it’s like sad emo/indie music combined with proper Springsteen-esque Americana. Other artists I’ve got on repeat at the moment are The Fall, Pulp, Teenage Fanclub, Pixies, The Streets, FKA twigs, Blur, Suede, Weezer, Alex G, Big Thief, Nirvana, Iceage, New Order, ABBA, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac and The Replacements. That’s way too many, but pick what you like from that haha.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
The 1975. It would confuse them, us and their fans, but I also think everyone would have a lovely time. We saw their arena tour and Rich went to their Finsbury Park show and NO ONE is dominating live stadium music like them right now. Pulp would be nice too, because who wouldn’t love a brew with Jarvis pre and post gig?
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The magical moment a song comes to me is always special. When I’m not looking for it and the melody starts playing without permission in my head. But bringing it together and then playing it live for the first time is the real reward. For me, and I think the lads would agree, just playing music together as the four of us is the most complete I feel in life, let alone in the band. There’s something magical between these four people that I’ve not felt in other bands or elsewhere at all really.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Not being paid what we should be paid for - writing fucking excellent songs and playing legendary gigs. We’ve started putting on our own gigs, promoting them ourselves, selling them out, and keeping all of the money for the band and the support acts.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Follow your gut and instincts. Don’t be contrived or follow any trends, just make the exact music you and your mates want to make. Anything that happens after that is a bonus.
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Church Party's debut EP 'Cut The Colours' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.