After establishing themselves with a wealth of bold and dynamic releases these last few years, Norwich-based outfit Damp Matches are now returning for 2023 to deliver their anthemic new single 'Sweet Nothing'.
Capturing more of that fresh and euphoric indie-rock aesthetic they have built for themselves since they first emerged, 'Sweet Nothing' makes for an incredibly fun and uplifting listen. Jam-packed with killer hooks, a soaring atmosphere, and mesmerising vocals throughout, this lot are returning to one of their most impactful cuts to date here.
So with the new single 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?
Is it more interesting to ask what or why? Helena fell in love with the violin because she loved The Danse Macabre at age 7, signalling early on that she might be too 'alternative' for her own good. Dom gravitated to the bass thinking it would be a good way to impress women. Eventually he discovered that the guitar would be better suited to this purpose and hasn't looked back. Steve was quite literally born to be a rock star and so there wasn't really an alternative to his beloved axe. Will was coerced into playing bass for the band but quickly fell in love with it, although he holds a soft spot for brass instruments (for which he has no talent). Lee, well he likes the drums. Probably because when he's playing them nobody can talk to him.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I suppose most of the time what we listen to when we are young is dictated by what our parents listen to. Us all being of a similar age probably has a lot to do with most of us having listened to classic rock growing up. Will, Dom and Steve all having indulged in the likes of, ACDC, Queen and Bowie. Helena on the other hand was brought up on, what was at the time, more contemporary music. The likes of Radio Head and Jeff Buckley being staples in the home. Lee grew up on Elvis, not entirely sure how that happened but you really can't fault it.
What was the first album you remember owning?
First albums are weird. A lot of the time we don't really choose what our first album is. Will did, Anastasia might have been a rogue choice but if you try and tell me that 'Left outside Alone' isn't a banger then you'll catch hands. Steve was given Mcflys Room on the Third Floor as a birthday present, I'm not sure if he's ever listened to it. Helena got Black Eyed Peas Elefunk because obviously she had to have a good one. Kaiser Chiefs Employment was Dom's first, makes sense really, he's always been a dad.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
As a band we have been mentally compiling a list of 'Perfect Songs' for a couple of years. Here's a list of a few we have thought of.
Paranoid Android- Radiohead
Duality- Slipknot
R U Mine- Arctic Monkeys
Lover You Should Have Come Over- Jeff Buckley
Bridge Over Troubled Water- Simon and Garfunkel
I know for a fact all of these songs would be on there for wildly varying reasons. To my memory 'Paranoid Android' and '7 Nation Army' were 2 of the first. It should be fairly obvious why we wished we had written this list of perfect songs, it's because they're all ruddy perfect.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Argue it into existence then take bets on how long it'll be before he writes lyrics.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I think I'd say we have quite diverse tastes. Helena is currently going through Fleetwood Mac's B sides, I think she wants to be Stevie Nick (minus all the drama... hopefully). Dom never quite got out of being an angsty teenager and so he's had the new Lamb of God album on repeat. He won't stop talking about how well produced it is. Will has been flipping between JIDs The Forever Story and Clipse Hell Hath No Fury. Yes he's still trying to be a rapper. No nothing you can say will stop him. Steve likes things that go hard. He's been on British Metalcore and Atlanta rap for a while, they both go pretty hard.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Any touring band going through a lukewarm album cycle with fans available for stealing.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
There are loads of rewarding aspects of being a musician. However, Helena had one experience that really stood out to her. 'This time a woman came to one of our gigs with her two teenage daughters. They had both just started playing instruments (guitar and the drums) but one (the drummer) was starting to lose steam with it. So the mother came up to me after we had played and asked me to talk to her about being a female musician. I told her the truth; that there is nothing cooler on this planet, than a sick female drummer. There can always be more women in music and having the opportunity to try to inspire young women is a privilege.'
And what is the most frustrating part?
To be honest, the social media bit is a pain. It's gotta be done if you want to get yourself out there but my god it's a drag. Having to think up new 'Content' every week is enough to send me over the spicy end of a bridge.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
'Never give up, write what you want, never get someone pregnant especially on stage.' Toyah Willcox
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Damp Matches' new single 'Sweet Nothing' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.