In this interview feature, we get to know the most radicalist up and coming stars on the planet.

This time, we’re speaking with HAUS’ frontman and lead vocalist Ashley Mulimba about his fast-rising band who are filling out the gap between indie-rock, hip-hop and electronic music with their ferocious sound - if you’ve been on The Most Radicalist recently, you’ll have read our praises of their singles ‘Say What You Say’ and ‘Gave You All’. However, the band’s journey began as many musical ventures do - in college. Through friend connections and a circumstantial party jam, Mulimba, Ellis Mortimer (bass, synth and backing vocals), Sam Kelly (guitar and backing vocals), Daniel Hylton (guitar) and Lyle Simpson (drums) were brought together. That said, it wasn’t an instant synchronisation for the band, as they took the time to feel out the direction they wanted HAUS to head in. Their first release was ‘Haze’, back in 2015, which introduced their distinctive growling, electronically-tinged alternative rock.

Since then, the band have continued to release tracks with strong beats, fiery guitars, rhythmic synths, animalistic refrains and all led by Ashley's uniquely expressive vocal. Each listener of HAUS is bound to have a favourite track, whether it’s because of the hooking guitar melody in ‘Blinded’, the percussion breakdowns in ‘Two Minds’, the dark vibes of ‘Gave You All’ spiked by the cymbals, bright guitar notes and synths, the wild dance moments of ‘Levels’ or that touch of indie-pop melody in ‘Say What You Say’. What ties it all together is the frontman’s inventive lyricism, memorable choruses and the way he throws his vocal between controlled restraint and an unleashed beastliness. It’s this consistency and relentless energy that is sure to set HAUS up for great things in the future.

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TMR: Hey HAUS, so tell us, what are you listening to at the moment?  

Ashley Mulimba: A hell of alot of DAMN by Kendrick Lamar, Sam Fender, 6LACK. This will change this time next week.

TMR: Do you think that your tastes in music have changed since the early days of HAUS?  

AM: Yes, it has. More electronic stuff and less shit your Sixth Form mates insisted you should listen to.

TMR: It seems like time has flown by since you released ‘Haze’ back in 2015, what’s the past couple of years been like as band?

AM: It's been incredible, we've reached incredible highs and incredible lows. Played at venues we never thought we'd get the opportunity to play, played in cities we never thought we'd get to play. We've loved every minute.



TMR: Your songs explore conditions of life, such as self-contradiction on ‘Say What You Say’. Can you tell us about any specific real-life experiences that have informed your music?

AM: Everything I write is formed from a real-life experience(s). Good and bad. It's quite hard to pinpoint just one moment, because when it becomes a song it relates to many experiences rather than just one. I hope that makes sense to you as much as it does in my own head.

TMR: When it comes to writing a HAUS song, how does that work? Does one band member take the lead or is it more of a collaborative effort?

AM: Usually me and Daniel write together and record a very rough demo and the others figure their own parts on their own, but we all pull our weight. It's not strictly me and Daniel full stop. We advise each other, Lyle might think of a better word to end a phrase, or Daniel might think of a better note to end a bass line.

TMR: Do you prefer recording in the studio or playing live?

AM: Live, for sure. That's when everything becomes real. You feel some. Connecting with a room full of strangers on a level you cannot describe. That being said, writing and recording is just as Important.



TMR: What’s been your most enjoyable gig so far?

AM: For me personally, it'd be playing to a sold out KOKO end of last year. I’m sure everyone else's answer would be different.

TMR: What’s the one song that really seems to set the crowd off?

AM: It's different every show, man. But on average it's usually our first single 'Haze'.

TMR: It’s quite easy to liken your sound to Foals or Everything Everything, but what has been your weirdest and/or favourite musical comparison to date?

AM: We've had so many different comparisons it's hard to answer this just on the spot. Although in early days I've been called a “black Kurt Cobain” a couple of times. But this was when I didn't understand how to control my voice and sort of just growled down the mic. No disrespect to KC, R.I.P.

TMR: Right now, London is your home, but if you could live anywhere else in the world, where would that be and why?

AM: Again, I'm not too sure about the others but for me it'd be New York. I've been there a lot, it's like a second home. I don't think I could live there for long though. I find it very similar to London just on a bigger scale. For that reason I think it'll get quite overwhelming.



Catch HAUS on the festival circuit this summer.

-Hannah Thacker