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

This time we speak with posturing North London outfit, Sports Team.

Having met while studying at Cambridge, now comfortably nestled between the McVitie’s biscuit factory and evangelical church of Harlesden, playful 6-piece Sports Team have been carving out their own musical niche on the London indie scene. To be sure, in a climate of increasingly despondent, or else down-right furious musicians, Sports Team provide some much needed relief with their refreshingly exuberant Britpop anthems.

Full-to-the-brim with the errant charm befitting the neighbourhood band of affable troublemakers, Sports Team have developed a reputation on the UK’s live circuit for raucous shows, slinky dancing and a wry, quintessentially British form of indie - the likes of which we haven’t seen since the mid-00s.

Debut sing-along ‘Stanton’ and recent single ‘Beverly Rose’ set the stage for the charismatic sextet but it’s on their Winter Nets EP that the band have truly proved their worth. As such, we only thought it necessary to catch up with the band to learn a little more about the EP’s making.

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TMR: What was your first musical memory that left a lasting impression on you?

Seven years of piano lessons. A long, long slog. I got to grade three quite traumatised.

TMR: We know you all met while studying at Cambridge but how did you end up playing together?

Baby steps. We were all friends from before and naïve enough to think that playing music was as easy as being in a band, so we just sort of struck out. We had the riff from ‘Stanton’ and went from there.

TMR: What makes a great Sports Team gig?

The guiding hand of providence.

TMR: You’re known for your raucous live shows but how was the process of recording Winter Nets? Were there any unexpected delights while in the studio, or perhaps even obstacles to overcome?

The first time we were put up against a click track was fraught. Every day with Dave McCracken is a delight though, we did the EP over a couple of weekends in late summer at his studio in Hammersmith and all had a lovely old time.



TMR: Which is your favourite song on the EP and how did that song come together?

There’s a Dutronc cover on the Vinyl version. We changed from 10” to 12” quite late in the day so had a bit of space to fill. It took about 15 minutes to record with Alex [Rice] on drums.

TMR: You recently played your first show in France. Your music is so thoroughly English, we wondered if it would translate abroad. How have you found the response to Sports Team outside the UK? 

We loved France. We were quite surprised by just how many people turned up, it was in Dijon and the mayor, along with two hundred and fifty or so others, piled in – which was reassuring. We’re back in March though, so we’ll see how it pans out.

TMR: There’s been a lot spoken about a revitalized UK indie scene (particularly in London), do you feel part of something like this?

We don’t feel any strong allegiance to a scene. There aren’t many bands from West, and even fewer venues. We’ve always done our own thing.



TMR: Are there any up-and-coming artists or bands you’re really enjoying lately? 

Pip Blom. They’re from the Netherlands and are also on Nice Swan. We’re off on tour with them in March. Sorry too, they’ve just signed to Domino and have a lot of great songs.

TMR: What does the rest of 2018 hold for you? 

We’ve got a tour with Pip Blom in March, starting with a headline at Moth Club. Then we’re back to France for a quick festival run, then it’s Live at Leeds, The Great Escape and some more festivals to be announced. There’s also a new EP coming and a single very, very soon. That, a video and a bigger headline late in the year. It’s a busy few months!

TMR: For better or worse, the allure of Sports Team has become inextricable from the Harlesden locale. What are your favourite spots there and why?

We’ve only been Harlesden for 6 months or so. Before that we were down the road in Westbourne Park, where most of the haunts are. Sporting Clube de Londres and Angies, where we spent a lot of our time. We have a sitting room now so have been spending more time in the house. The Royal Oak is good in Harlesden, though. That and Vybz bar.



Winter Nets EP is out now via Nice Swan Records, catch Sports Team on tour with Pip Blom.

-Karl Jawara