Patawawa's debut album Power-Up is out now! We chat to the trio about the release and more.
Image: Supplied.
Last month, English three-piece Patawawa release their debut album, Power-Up. Influenced by the likes of The Whispers, Chic and Sister Sledge, the album came to be over the past 18 months, produced entirely by band member Rory Lovatt in his childhood bedroom.
Born and bred in the quiet, sleepy English town of Matlock in Derbyshire, Patawawa are a contemporary concoction of the sparkling synths and glittered guitar riffs popularised by Pet Shop Boys and Prince. Charismatic and cathartic in equal measure, The trio have been finding their way within the indie DIY scene since their arrival in 2015, with their blood-pumping beats and biting bass lines.
Power-Up is out now! Read our interview with the group below.
Tell us a bit about how you began your musical journey...
It was exactly like the Tenacious D film but with Beth as Jack Black, Sam as Kyle Gas and Rory as the prick of destiny.
Congratulations on the release of your new record! Your inspirations for the album include The Whispers, Chic and Sister Sledge, it’s disco-pop brilliance, how did you craft the sonic soundscape of the tracks on Power - Up?
The sonic soundscape came directly out of my bed room, I found it really hard to produce passable disco 10 years ago but with some of the technology available now it's a much smoother process.
Could you tell us a bit about the creative process when writing and recording Power - Up?
It was written over the course of a year and a half, and every song was written slightly differently, if you put rules and regulations on how you're going to work it can fuck up your creativity.
We love little trivia bits about albums, how did you land on the album title Power - Up and what is the significance behind it?
We knew we wanted to have a loose concept for the album before we started writing it, we ended up going for gaming, and included a few 8 bit tunes, as well as making all of the artwork on this online 8 bit art creator, I spent hours drawing in pixels one by one.
Your album is set to have people grooving like they’re back on a dance floor, what was it like creating music during the COVID-19 pandemic? Did you encounter any challenges, or did it perhaps allow you the time and space to explore a whole new sphere within your creative world?
We finished it in lockdown one and creativity has got harder and harder, it's going to be amazing to get back out again and find inspiration in other places than the field next to my house.
Your song was remixed by Goldteeth earlier on in the year, how did this collaboration come about and can you tell us a bit about the remix process? Also Is there another track on the album you could see being remixed?
We actually did a couple of songs with Goldteeth last year which will be out at some point, we thought we were going to do a remix album after this one but with the covid delays we ended up just sticking the ones we had out into the world!
If you had to pick one song off the album to play to someone who had never heard your music to make them an instant fan, which song would that be and why?
Content, it’s all of our favourite off the album.
How important do you think live music is not only for yourself as a musician showcasing their art, but also for the audience members who connect with your music?
Live music has been sorely sorely missed this last year, it's going to be so good to get out and play but seeing as many bands as possible this summer is the top of my to do list.
What’s one song from the album you’re most excited for audiences to listen to and why?
Content.
If Power - Up was a piece of pre- existing visual art, which artwork would it be?
The Seventeenth Chapel.
The current pandemic has obviously put a halt to touring and performing live, what are your touring plans post pandemic? And what can audiences expect from one of your live shows?
We've got plenty of gigs coming up. Expect strictly come dancing without any choreography.
How important are the visuals to you when it comes to portraying the stories and themes present on the songs?
About medium rare, I don't actually think about it too much but I don't want people looking at something awful or completely unfitting.
RAPID FIRE
Biggest influences?
1970-1990.
Dream collaboration?
Stevie Wonder.
Album that has had the most impact on you?
Hunky Dory (David Bowie).
How do you define your musical style in 3 words?
Disco ona budget.
A release you’re most looking forward to in 2021?
Lockdown.
If you could create the soundtrack for any film, which one would it be?
Whatever Marvel one is next (money money money).
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
Anything but ours.
Last concert you went to?
Our own show in Japan, young Franco played after and killed it.
If you were a Spice Girl, what would your spice nickname be?
Spice Head.
Guilty music pleasure?
Wham!
If you could support any artist on tour, who would it be?
Chic.
An artist you think has had the most influence on the music industry.
Bob Dylan for songwriting, the Beatles for production.
What advice would your current self, give your future self, for a year from now?
You're still drinking from when lockdown ended? You need help.
The moment you knew you wanted to be a musician?
Some point between 1992-2021.
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