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

This time, we’re meeting Brighton’s new psych-pop sensations Underwater Boys.

Despite having just two tracks to their name, Underwater Boys already feel primed for big things. Their debut, ‘Everyone You Know’ was a promising first step, fusing saccharine melody to some particularly grisly topics – talk of love “filling me with dread” and a promise that "everyone you know will disappear like gold” made it a haunted take on a genre most typically associated with beachcombing escapism.

With B-side ‘Bye & Bye’, they prove they’ve got the anthemic chops to back up that weirdo’s mindset. As they prepare for a duo of dates with fellow wide-eyed oddballs Dream Wife, we caught up with Underwater Boys to talk brotherly love, musical odysseys, and their ace label home Cannibal Hymns.

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TMR: Hey! So this is a hell of an introduction. How did 'Everyone You Know' come about?

Tom: Me and Nick started writing these songs together about a year and a half ago - we sort of just said “Let’s meet up for a weekend and write and see how far we get,” and this was one of the first things to come out of that. It’s a really important song for us because we were kind of just scrabbling around in the dark, without a clue what we were doing, but once we started getting into this one it just totally informed what the band was going to be.

TMR: You take quite a sweet sound and mix it in with some decidedly dark lyrics - what's the inspiration behind those two elements? 

Tom: Well lyrically a lot of our music is about mental health stuff. It’s something that runs in our family, and around the time we started making these songs we were both right in the thick of it - so naturally it informed the writing. As far as setting those themes against a more upbeat, sweeter backdrop I think we’ve both always been interested in that happy/sad vibe. I like the idea that we’re taking these hard, dark things and making them into something joyful - It’s a good way of working through those issues.

TMR: Is that juxtaposition of sweet and sinister something you're keen to keep documenting?

Tom: Absolutely. I don’t think we would feel comfortable being so direct as to write an overtly sad-sounding song about depression, or a really upbeat, poppy song about how happy we are. The contrast is really what fuels us creatively.

TMR: Brighton's buzzing right now - why do you think that is? Is there a good scene around the South Coast?

Nick: Brighton always has some interesting things going on. It’s saturated with musicians which makes it an easy environment to get creative in, but also difficult to get your voice across.

Tom: But I think it’s also an incredible motivator, because you’re competing to be noticed in a sea of incredible talent. If you’re looking to compete with The Magic Gang, Our Girl, Abattoir Blues, you best come CORRECT!



TMR: You're brothers too - would you say that's more a blessing or a curse to your respective creative streaks?

Nick: We have been in bands with each other a lot but mainly when we were younger. Tom can’t necessarily play any instruments but has a great musical sense, and I can play instruments but am terrible with lyrics, so together we make up one coherent songwriter and being brothers helps with that a lot.

Tom: I think there’s just naturally a shorthand between us. Our thoughts about what we want the band to sound like are very much aligned, so we’re able to write pretty quickly. I also think it helps us to be more frank and honest with each other about stuff, because I think it’s easier to tell your brother you think their idea is shit than anyone else.

TMR: You've linked up with Cannibal Hymns too, what brought that about? Are you happy to be part of that family? 

Tom: When we first started talking about releasing our music, we messaged Tim just kind of asking for advice - We weren't thinking he would be that interested in the songs, but that maybe he could give us some pointers about where to upload the music, social media, & all that noise… but he listened to ‘Everyone You Know’ and liked it! We’re still a bit shocked to be honest - It’s a label full of bands we absolutely love, so being part of that is an absolute honour!

Underwater Boys play the following shows this month:

October
21^st Brighton, The Haunt (supporting Dream Wife)
25^th London, Scala (supporting Dream Wife)

-Tom Connick