Tuesday, February 4, 2014 11:24am ET by  
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Pressparty chats to Thumpers: 'Our sound is a celebration of euphoria and nostalgia'

Pressparty recently sat down to talk with alt-pop duo Thumpers, comprised of Marcus Pepperell and John Hamson Jr., and the lads opened up about their creative dynamic, the impending release of their debut album, 'Galore', and the sense of euphoric nostalgia they conjure up with their intoxicating music. 

1. You’re a duo. How did you meet?

Marcus: John and I both went to the same secondary school, we met to the on the first day of school. But it didn't take John long to start copying my homework (laughs). We met through school, but we played in various bands together when we were like 15... we played our first gig as Thumpers in 2012. 

Someone recently asked us in an interview, 'which married couple are you like?' We’ve known each other a long time, we know what buttons not to push unless we're angry with each other. It’s about being a collective – it’s a collaborative effort. This band, even though there's only two of us, it has a real collective feel to it because we play with three other people live.

2. Do you share the creative duties equally when you’re writing songs?

I start off writing the songs, the original idea will come from me. I’ll play it in a playable form to John who will take over production duties. I am (the lyricist), but he is too... the lines become blurred. The way we recorded the album was in two or three days stints away from London back in our hometown of Warwickshire. We'd record in furious all-night sessions. It inspired us to write about our hometown and our shared memories. The theme is a celebration of those experiences, not just gratuitous hometown nostalgia.  

3. How does the dynamic work on stage? Your sound is very layered, do you bring other people into your live set up?

Our friends who've helped us out, they’ve been amazing. When we bring it live we needed 3 other people at least so it's a 5-piece live. We have horns and loads of backing vocals along with piano, bass, and keyboards. 

4. Let’s talk about your sound. It has a euphoric quality with these hypnotic melodies, drum loops, and gang vocals - it’s very anthemic. What influences you and what do you want to get across with your style?

The collectiveness is all there and the seams are all there, too. I think there's a more melancholic tinge to the other songs – sort of – there’s an air of celebration. Maybe the bedrock of sadness that celebration takes root in and goes from is there in a more blatant way on the album. There's a real sense of euphoria. We're in the midst of rehearsing the songs we haven't been able to play live and we're really looking forward to be able the show the entire picture of the record. 

 

 

 

5. You're due to release your debut album, ‘Galore’, in May, can you tell us a bit about that? 

We were determined not to demo and to start these finished songs straight away so everything on the album is the first version of any song. We're looking to capture spontaneous moments, but that's how the album came together over the course of a year. The first time we play something is when it’s being recorded. 

6. This spring you'll be performing a headlining set at London's Scala and playing America's South By Southwest festival in March – are you excited about your live commitments this year?

We're touring in the UK from February 17, then we're off to America at the beginning of March, and then we're back in Europe for April. We're really excited. We were first signed to Sub Pop in the U.S., which is a dream come true in itself, it's a huge ambition realised - or will be, when it happens.  

7. What are your plans for the rest of 2014? Any dream collaborations that you'd like to make happen?

Touring, for the foreseeable future. We're writing new stuff as well at the moment. Touring at least until June then playing the summer festivals. Only then we’ll be able to collaborate with other artists, so that's a big thing for us as well. The two of us really relish the closeness we have together, but it's amazing what you can learn from working with other people. This is the way you should do it! Decide who you want to collaborate with, say it in an interview and see what happens! Jessie Ware! We've got quite a good wish-list.   

On February 22, Thumpers will play live at The Lexington in London and on May 22 they're set to headline The Scala. Their full length debut album, entitled 'Galore', will be released on May 19 in the UK. 

 

 

 

Watch Thumpers' music video for 'Galore' below: