The South-East London quartet making for one of the most promising prospects in psych
All too often psychedelic bands can be found hiding behind squalling walls of noise, gazing at their expanse of pedals. But whilst Carnivals site Tame Impala and The Growlers as their influences they don't fall into the same cosmic trap.
Kicking off with the sugar-coated psych-pop swagger of the opening riff, The Feeling is already more bold, brash and downright fun than anything their contemporaries' have produced.
The groove-laden guitar stomp demands not only your ears, but your feet aswell, proving it's not just Kevin Parker that can make psychedelia dance-able.
Frontman Callum Green effortlessly switching from a commanding bark to a whiskey-drenched drawl as he sings "If you're not there in the morning I think I'll cry."
It's the sheer flexibility of the band, completed by guitarist Joe Hannen, bassist George Brimble and drummer Harry Wood, that make Carnivals impossible to pin down.
Just when you you had The Feeling written down as an indie anthem in waiting, the song takes a complete U-turn into 60's psych territory, with the kind of sprawling, kaleidoscopic wig-out, that's more at home at Woodstock than Reading & Leeds.
The Feeling's expansive soundscape- and not to mention influences- make it's creators one of the most promising prospects in psych since Kevin Parker stepped out of his Perth bedroom back in 2007.
We spoke to to the boys about it's inception, and what to expect from the band that are just as fun as their name suggests...
The groove-laden guitar stomp demands not only your ears, but your feet aswell, proving it's not just Kevin Parker that can make psychedelia dance-able.
Frontman Callum Green effortlessly switching from a commanding bark to a whiskey-drenched drawl as he sings "If you're not there in the morning I think I'll cry."
It's the sheer flexibility of the band, completed by guitarist Joe Hannen, bassist George Brimble and drummer Harry Wood, that make Carnivals impossible to pin down.
Just when you you had The Feeling written down as an indie anthem in waiting, the song takes a complete U-turn into 60's psych territory, with the kind of sprawling, kaleidoscopic wig-out, that's more at home at Woodstock than Reading & Leeds.
The Feeling's expansive soundscape- and not to mention influences- make it's creators one of the most promising prospects in psych since Kevin Parker stepped out of his Perth bedroom back in 2007.
We spoke to to the boys about it's inception, and what to expect from the band that are just as fun as their name suggests...
Who are your influences?
"That's a hard question! We do have common influences but can vary throughout the members of the band. Overall your catch us listening to 60's bands likeThe Beatles, The Kinks, The Doors, Zombies but more recently Allah Las, Growlers,Blossoms and Hidden charms."
Tell us about The Feeling and the inspiration behind it "The Feeling was the result of experimenting with a few different ideas andgenres. At the time we were really into the whole funk thing that Mark Ronson hadgoing on in tunes like 'Daffodils' and 'Uptown Funk', so we really wanted to incorporate that in our own way. Once we had it written, we added it to our setand it's never come out since. Always seems to get people going which is great tosee!"
You've been in the studio recently recording your debut single, how's that been? "We had a right laugh making these tunes and that seemed to carry on throughoutrecording them. Recording at 'Parr Street Studios' in Liverpool was so cool, not only was the equipment amazing but the records that had been recorded there hanging on the walls were equally as impressive. It was also the first time we recorded out of London, which was pretty different experience for us. We worked really hard on the single and looking forward to releasing it on the 1st of April!"
You're playing a few gigs in March, what can people hope to expect from them?"We have two gigs in March! Our first out of town show at The Hope & Ruin in Brighton and second supporting Max Pope at the Brixton Windmill (who you should definatly check out!). We've had a break from playing live while recording so we're be rehearsing a lot to make sure we're where we need to be for the gigs. You can also expect to hear our new single 'Shadows', which we will be playing live at the Hope and Ruin for the first time."
What other upcoming bands would you recommend people check out?
"There are so many, but to narrow it down: Hidden Charms, Beach Baby, Black Honey, Demob Happy, Sunflower Bean and the Vryll Society."
What can we expect from Carnivals in 2016?
"We're going to be playing a lot of shows around the UK and potentially an EP at some point as well!"
"That's a hard question! We do have common influences but can vary throughout the members of the band. Overall your catch us listening to 60's bands likeThe Beatles, The Kinks, The Doors, Zombies but more recently Allah Las, Growlers,Blossoms and Hidden charms."
Tell us about The Feeling and the inspiration behind it "The Feeling was the result of experimenting with a few different ideas andgenres. At the time we were really into the whole funk thing that Mark Ronson hadgoing on in tunes like 'Daffodils' and 'Uptown Funk', so we really wanted to incorporate that in our own way. Once we had it written, we added it to our setand it's never come out since. Always seems to get people going which is great tosee!"
You've been in the studio recently recording your debut single, how's that been? "We had a right laugh making these tunes and that seemed to carry on throughoutrecording them. Recording at 'Parr Street Studios' in Liverpool was so cool, not only was the equipment amazing but the records that had been recorded there hanging on the walls were equally as impressive. It was also the first time we recorded out of London, which was pretty different experience for us. We worked really hard on the single and looking forward to releasing it on the 1st of April!"
You're playing a few gigs in March, what can people hope to expect from them?"We have two gigs in March! Our first out of town show at The Hope & Ruin in Brighton and second supporting Max Pope at the Brixton Windmill (who you should definatly check out!). We've had a break from playing live while recording so we're be rehearsing a lot to make sure we're where we need to be for the gigs. You can also expect to hear our new single 'Shadows', which we will be playing live at the Hope and Ruin for the first time."
What other upcoming bands would you recommend people check out?
"There are so many, but to narrow it down: Hidden Charms, Beach Baby, Black Honey, Demob Happy, Sunflower Bean and the Vryll Society."
What can we expect from Carnivals in 2016?
"We're going to be playing a lot of shows around the UK and potentially an EP at some point as well!"
