In this micro-interview feature, we get to know the most radicalist up & coming stars on the planet. This week we're talking to artists playing at The Great Escape festival in Brighton (19-21st May).

Strong Asian Mothers have friends in high places. They can count James Blake, Jameela Jamil and Huw Stephens among their fans, with the recent very welcome addition of Princess Superstar to the fold (a retweet by the singer of the band's 'cover' of Bad Babysitter being the "best thing that's ever happened" to drummer Josh).

At TMR we've had the pleasure of watching the popularity of their contagious hip-hop-alt-pop sky-rocket in recent months, in the run-up to the release of their brilliantly entitled The Lynx Africa EP.

The video for The Lynx Africa EP's lead track Out Of Love is the band's first ever official promo. The London-based three piece were keen to show their love of strong visual styling ("we've always had a deep love for Kitenge and Buganda (African prints)"), as well as their dedication to the live element of the band (during live performances, "every single member is seen as an irreplaceable "front man" in their own right"). With that in mind they decided to do a live session for the video; "but not any session, a live session Strong Asian Mothers style."

We caught up with Amer, Kalim and Josh before they head down to Brighton from Daltson, to find out what to expect from the real thing.

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TMR: In an open letter about the video for Out Of Love, you say you purposefully created a 'live session' feel to reflect how the live set-up works. What can people expect from the live show itself?

The music videos were actually live sessions! So live you can expect the same additions of a live drum kit and horn section - this way we can add a level of ferocity and excitement to compliment all the electronic sounds we use on record. It's also impossible to see from an audio recording how much jumping around, bouncing and uncontrollable facial expressions are necessary for this music, so expect a lot of that.

TMR: Are there any African fabrics involved?

Sadly not, although we plan to have many more colourful things following us around in the future. Having said that, we've never done a show that didn't include either multiple trinkets, sports equipment, bizarre costumes or flares so there's always something to catch the eye!

TMR: Do you have any particular rituals that help you prepare for a live show, or anything you do habitually afterwards?

We always find ourselves squeezing in some sort've nice sit-down meal between soundchecks and shows, it all gets very romantic. Once with 3 hours to kill before a gig at the Lexington, Khushi and Amer went and played miniature boules in the Angel Shopping Centre. Josh just went home. But because this is Brighton we'll most probably make consuming pier donuts a pre-gig ritual.

TMR: What's different between festival performances and your own shows??

Festivals are what this band was born for, day or night, rain or shine, whenever we've played a festival the show has always been spectacular. Something about being in a place where you truly give your whole self over to just enjoying live music for a few days seems to make the sets feel extra special because we write music primarily to dance to and enjoy. There seems to be a much higher level of freedom of expression at music festivals than you get at city shows. We can really let ourselves go, and so do the audiences!

TMR: What's your favourite venue to play and why?

So far it was Koko in Camden, London. Mainly because Amer and Khushi do a lot of jumping around and the bigger the stage the better the jumping. The sound there on stage is also phenomenal. On the other hand we do have a lot of love for the Notting Hill Arts Club. It's home to Communion's monthly night and has been a special place for us, we've had some rowdy and crowded sets there.



TMR: Are your mums coming to Great Escape?

Miss-Da-Mina AKA Amina Patel aka Khushi's mum will indeed be coming to Brighton, but only because she and Khushi have tickets to a matinee performance at the Theatre Royal on Friday. So...technically one of our mums is coming to The Great Escape...but...also not.

TMR: If you could collaborate with anyone (apart from your mums) who would it be?

A collab with Mø on vocals with us would be a dream come true, she's one of the best out there! We'd also love to collaborate with Flume or Hudson Mohawke. Actually, we'd most likely just sit at the back of their studios looking sheepish whilst trying to learn from their production skills!

TMR: What's the best song ever written?

That's a TOUGH question. But maybe 26th Bohemian Rhapsody? It's arguably one of the most incredible pieces of music ever written, it also somehow travels through time. It's basically perfect at every turn.

TMR: Your latest EP is called Lynx Africa. Do any of you wear it?

Absolutely, it’s the smell of an entire generation of young men and P.E. changing rooms, Amer still wears it to this day, although he's graduated from the deodorant to the antiperspirant.

TMR: What's next for Strong Asian Mothers in 2016?

We're gearing up for a string of live shows, sessions and festival appearances, most notably our EP launch on the 26th of May at the Sebright Arms, and then slots at Secret Garden Party, Bestival and El Dorado Festival, amongst others. We're also working on our next EP and we have a cheeky release coming out in the next few months after Lynx Africa so plenty to come! At some point we're also going to have some shopping to do and Amer and Josh are going to walk their cats.

The Lynx Africa EP is out on 20th May.

Strong Asian Mothers play The Great Escape festival on Thursday 19th May (Green Door Store, Brighton), and Sebright Arms (London) on 26th May. See you there. Bring your mums.

-Julz Baldwin