S] How are you doing, mate?
Very good! Loving life really, all things considered.
S] How do you define success, as a person, and as an artist?
Happiness. If you’re happy and fulfilled it’s much, much easier to put the work in and drive your art forward. In that sense, success as a person and as an artist is one and the same.
If I’m happy and healthy and remembering to put my needs first that feeds into my enjoyment of the creative process. Despite outward appearances, being in The Battery Farm is a happy place. It’s hard work, but it’s hard work I love to do because I love being in this band, and I love being in this band because it makes me happy. That’s success, baby!
S] Do you concern yourself with the idea of legacy, if so, what does it mean?
I think I do, but in a much smaller sense now than I used to. I used to concern myself with that idea on a grand scale, wanting to be remembered forever as someone who did something great.
I still think I’m doing something great, and I still want to get as many eyes and ears on it as possible, but the only legacy I think about is the legacy of having a tonne of cool stuff to show my son when he’s older. I think that’s more important. Climate breakdown and the impending world war and subsequent nuclear hellscape really make you rethink the idea of legacy. Everything is finite.
Death is inevitable. Try and live in the moment and do something beautiful. Take a second to look back and appreciate it. That’s your legacy. I sound like David fucking Brent.
S] What are the biggest challenges you face as a band, and how have you overcome them?
Trying to balance day jobs and general exhaustion with the pace of life with being in the band. We’re all spinning plates, and sometimes it’s easy to feel worn out. It’s hard work being in a band at any level but it’s a particularly harsh grind at our level, especially when you manage yourselves as we do.
S] What motivates you outside of music – think people, and places?
Bad politicians, of which there are many. Corrupt institutions which are designed to protect us and don’t. My family. My ego. My doubts about myself. My cats. The need for catharsis. Money to do the next record. The feeling that I’m clinging to life and could go at any minute, which I have often and for no particular reason. Lots of stuff.
S] How do you look back at ‘Dirty Den’s March of Suffering’ now?
As a turning point. It marked the moment we really showed we’re more than just a little scrappy Punk band. There’s something grander about it, something more complex, something sad rather than angry, something silly rather than grim. Where our first EP was a statement of intent Dirty Den was a statement of evolution, one which I’m incredibly proud of. It got a lot of people talking and showed that we’re actually a really multifaceted, unpredictable band with a lot to offer. That evolution is continuing apace, and we’re excited to show everyone where it’s taking us.
S] Anything you’d like to plug as we finish up?
Yes! Our new single A Working Class Lad is out on Rare Vitamin Records 5th August.
We’re doing a limited edition cassette run of 30 with a cassette and Bandcamp only B-side which won’t be available on streamers. If this is going out before 7th August, our debut album FLIES is out everywhere on Rare Vitamin Records on 18th November, with a launch gig at 33 Oldham Street in Manchester on 19th November. If it’s not going out before 7th August… well, I’ve already told you now!
S] Thanks for your time!
Thanks for having me!
