01Profile
A Blondes Photo
Blondes
Musicians — Nottingham
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
We’re Blondes, and we’re from Nottingham! Individually we are Will (vocals), Alex (guitar), Tom (bass), and Stroudy (guitar).
What do you do?
We make what we like to describe as euphoric indie-pop. It’s nostalgic, but youthful and fresh at the same time.
Describe your style in three words?
Colourful, retro, '90s. We love browsing the charity and vintage shops in town looking for audacious things you might’ve been made fun of for ten years ago.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
A: Has to be The Killers headlining Glastonbury in 2019. They were the last of my favourite childhood bands that I hadn’t yet seen, and it was everything I wanted and more. I remember my friend insisting there was no way they’d play 'Glamorous Indie Rock n Roll', but they did, and I got on Stroud’s shoulders and belted out every single word. Not to mention they brought out THE Johnny Marr to play for a cover of 'This Charming Man' and then to close out with 'Mr Brightside'.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
S: The Beatles have to be one. Don’t really feel like I need to explain that one. Then maybe early Arctic Monkeys, like the first two albums kinda era. We’ve watched their 2007 Glastonbury set on Youtube so many times. It’s just the most insane thing.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
S: Skate culture definitely. The style and the music associated are both quite big influences. I feel like a lot of the indie culture naturally takes influence from skate culture.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
T: Yuri Gagarin. I’m a huge space nerd. Half my clothes are NASA related. Would love to chat to that man. Preferably in space, actually.
Of all the independent venues you’ve played which is your favourite?
W: The Chameleon Cafe in Nottingham, it’s a great little indie venue! We’ve put on quite a few shows there. They sell an outrageously strong cider as well so that always helps liven up the shows. We’ve loved all of our gigs at The Chameleon, even the slightly messier ones…
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
T: Tony Wilson, he founded Factory Records. I think he was such a pioneer, his label produced the likes of Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays. He also founded The Hacienda, which was part of a huge emerging scene in Manchester. He also died far too young.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
W: I’d have to say 'Supermassive Black Hole' by Muse.
A: Mine would probably be 'Complicated' by Avril Lavigne.
T: 'Blue Monday' by New Order!
S: Probably some Busted song. Or actually, ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ by Wheatus.
A song that defines the teenage you?
W: 'Don’t Look Back Into The Sun' by The Libertines. When I was around 17, myself and my friends properly got into guitar bands. Every single school show someone would cover that song.
One record you would keep forever?
S: 'Revolver' by The Beatles.
A: 'Back to Black' by Amy Winehouse.
W: '(What’s The Story) Morning Glory' by Oasis.
T: 'Unknown Pleasures' by Joy Division.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
A: I think the line "can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all" from 'In The Aeroplane Over The Sea' by Neutral Milk Hotel is one of the most striking and poignant lyrics I’ve ever heard. It so perfectly captures how remarkable life really is.
A song you wished you had written?
W: 'Champagne Supernova' by Oasis. It’s just a great song. It’s got a superb melody, it’s long but without being boring. Just a massive anthem.
Best song to turn up loud?
A: Gonna speak for everyone here and say 'A Little Respect' by Erasure. I first heard it being belted by a couple of men at a wedding. It’s now a regular feature whenever we have a few drinks in the house regardless of who’s on the aux.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
S: 'Parribean Disco' by Cotonete and Dmitri From Paris. Alex and I love that kind of groovy jazz-funk fusion stuff. I remember stumbling into this tent at 3am on the last night of Glastonbury and feeling like we were in the toilets at Nando’s. Now we’ve got a playlist full of Nando’s tunes.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
A: 'Murder On The Dancefloor' by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Unbelievable banger. I don't think any of us can resist that tune.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
W: 'Angels' by Robbie Williams. I think a big part of that comes from hearing it every Friday at our uni’s student night at Ocean. I reckon pretty much anyone who went to uni in Nottingham knows what I mean.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
S: Easy Life are a band we’ve always loved who are really breaking into the mainstream at the moment. Everything they’ve put out is great.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
We’re Blondes, and we’re from Nottingham! Individually we are Will (vocals), Alex (guitar), Tom (bass), and Stroudy (guitar).
What do you do?
We make what we like to describe as euphoric indie-pop. It’s nostalgic, but youthful and fresh at the same time.
Describe your style in three words?
Colourful, retro, '90s. We love browsing the charity and vintage shops in town looking for audacious things you might’ve been made fun of for ten years ago.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
A: Has to be The Killers headlining Glastonbury in 2019. They were the last of my favourite childhood bands that I hadn’t yet seen, and it was everything I wanted and more. I remember my friend insisting there was no way they’d play 'Glamorous Indie Rock n Roll', but they did, and I got on Stroud’s shoulders and belted out every single word. Not to mention they brought out THE Johnny Marr to play for a cover of 'This Charming Man' and then to close out with 'Mr Brightside'.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
S: The Beatles have to be one. Don’t really feel like I need to explain that one. Then maybe early Arctic Monkeys, like the first two albums kinda era. We’ve watched their 2007 Glastonbury set on Youtube so many times. It’s just the most insane thing.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
S: Skate culture definitely. The style and the music associated are both quite big influences. I feel like a lot of the indie culture naturally takes influence from skate culture.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
T: Yuri Gagarin. I’m a huge space nerd. Half my clothes are NASA related. Would love to chat to that man. Preferably in space, actually.
Of all the independent venues you’ve played which is your favourite?
W: The Chameleon Cafe in Nottingham, it’s a great little indie venue! We’ve put on quite a few shows there. They sell an outrageously strong cider as well so that always helps liven up the shows. We’ve loved all of our gigs at The Chameleon, even the slightly messier ones…
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
T: Tony Wilson, he founded Factory Records. I think he was such a pioneer, his label produced the likes of Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays. He also founded The Hacienda, which was part of a huge emerging scene in Manchester. He also died far too young.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
W: I’d have to say 'Supermassive Black Hole' by Muse.
A: Mine would probably be 'Complicated' by Avril Lavigne.
T: 'Blue Monday' by New Order!
S: Probably some Busted song. Or actually, ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ by Wheatus.
A song that defines the teenage you?
W: 'Don’t Look Back Into The Sun' by The Libertines. When I was around 17, myself and my friends properly got into guitar bands. Every single school show someone would cover that song.
One record you would keep forever?
S: 'Revolver' by The Beatles.
A: 'Back to Black' by Amy Winehouse.
W: '(What’s The Story) Morning Glory' by Oasis.
T: 'Unknown Pleasures' by Joy Division.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
A: I think the line "can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all" from 'In The Aeroplane Over The Sea' by Neutral Milk Hotel is one of the most striking and poignant lyrics I’ve ever heard. It so perfectly captures how remarkable life really is.
A song you wished you had written?
W: 'Champagne Supernova' by Oasis. It’s just a great song. It’s got a superb melody, it’s long but without being boring. Just a massive anthem.
Best song to turn up loud?
A: Gonna speak for everyone here and say 'A Little Respect' by Erasure. I first heard it being belted by a couple of men at a wedding. It’s now a regular feature whenever we have a few drinks in the house regardless of who’s on the aux.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
S: 'Parribean Disco' by Cotonete and Dmitri From Paris. Alex and I love that kind of groovy jazz-funk fusion stuff. I remember stumbling into this tent at 3am on the last night of Glastonbury and feeling like we were in the toilets at Nando’s. Now we’ve got a playlist full of Nando’s tunes.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
A: 'Murder On The Dancefloor' by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Unbelievable banger. I don't think any of us can resist that tune.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
W: 'Angels' by Robbie Williams. I think a big part of that comes from hearing it every Friday at our uni’s student night at Ocean. I reckon pretty much anyone who went to uni in Nottingham knows what I mean.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
S: Easy Life are a band we’ve always loved who are really breaking into the mainstream at the moment. Everything they’ve put out is great.