After releasing their much-loved studio album 'Book Of Want' in 2021 and follow-up outing 'Hopeless Romantic', British outfit Tragicomics are back for the new year to deliver their toe-tapping new single 'Stranger Things'.
Capturing more of that bright and invigorating alt-country aesthetic they have been building for themselves over the years, 'Stranger Things' makes for a wonderfully fresh and uplifting listen. Jam-packed with swinging textures, a vibrant atmosphere, and shimmering hooks throughout, they are certainly looking to get us up and out of our seats with this one.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has inspired them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Guitar, predictably. Though I had an early romantic encounter with a recorder.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Erratic. Limp Bizkit by way of the Corrs followed by Eminem. My parents were confused. I had some questionable tastes, admittedly. I was quite a late bloomer when it came to indie music and anything beyond the mainstream; I dabbled at university, but I was working in my first job when dear friends introduced me to Tom Waits, Nick Cave and the depths of classic songwriting.
What was the first album you remember owning?
It wasn’t the first record I bought, but the first album I remember owning was The Holy Bible by the Manic Street Preachers. I mean properly owning, in that I devoured the lyrics and artwork and listened to it on repeat for an ungodly amount of time when I should have been doing homework. I fell into that record. It wasn’t a new album either, so it held some strange mystique beyond itself - like a relic I had discovered.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There’s an old Cole Porter song called Begin the Beguine that is essentially the perfect song - a delicious blend of music, lyrics, emotion, arrangement. So probably that. Or the TikTok song that goes OH NO OH NO because surely by now somebody is a millionaire off the back of that.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I hate to admit it but I write all the best tunes when I’m cleaning up. Melodies spring from the air when you’re disinfecting surfaces. Who knew. Oddly enough, my house is not in the least bit tidy - make of that what you will.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve only recently started digging into the depths of Weyes Blood’s back catalogue and it’s full of treasures. I am in love with her album Hearts Aglow. Ryan Adams had a great run of self-released records last year that I finally listened to. Also Little Simz, who increasingly seems like she may be one of the all time great hip hop artists. More locally I am a big fan of The Battery Farm and Juice Pops. You should see them both live.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The story of a song. Uncovering a skeleton in the dirt, a remnant of some feeling or event. Working at it, chipping away, finding the whole. Understanding what it means. Beginning to lay flesh on the bones. Arranging, developing, recording. Suddenly from that initial skeletal idea you have a whole, formed song, full of colour and imagery and texture and depth. Also being able to play ripping guitar solos in front of a room full of people.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Running out of nine volt batteries for your pedals. Honestly, it’s pretty annoying.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Play for the song; sometimes less is more, and sometimes playing nothing at all is the best choice. Don’t take that too literally though or your live shows will not be successful (guaranteed).
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Tragicomics' new single 'Stranger Things' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.