Musicians — London
Name, where are you from?
We are Tom Short, Neraj Thangarajah, Rob Janke and Tom Clark. Mostly from London with a bit of Southampton thrown in for good measure.
Describe your style in three words?
South London Dads.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
R: Kate Bush at Hammersmith Apollo - It was her first tour in years and she had a top band with her, a huge production.
TS: D'Angelo on his last tour. It was so cool to see his band rework all these smooth neo-soul tracks into something raw and psychedelic and heavy.
TC: Daniel Avery at Apolo in Barcelona. Everything sounded massive from start to finish.
N: Phoenix at Ally Pally. They had a huge mirror above them reflecting a light up floor on stage, and a giant disco ball. Inspiration for our 2021 shows.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Pink Floyd circa 'Dark Side Of The Moon' and Talking Heads performing 'Stop Making Sense'. In a ludicrous hypothetical scenario, we could maybe fit somewhere in between these two bands at the top of their game.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
New wave, PC music, city pop, '90s hip-hop, sophisti-pop - all the pop.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Florian Schneider from Kraftwerk - Innovative musically and aesthetically and has had such an influence on so many modern genres beyond just electronic. Would have loved to have recorded at Kling Klang studios with him.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Unsurprisingly, The Windmill, as it was our first and maybe our best gig. Also honorary mentions for places we've played in previous bands - St Pancras Old Church, The Joiners in Southampton and Manchester's Deaf Institute.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Andrew Weatherall - he produced so many greats and has so much fantastic original music under various guises. We’re big fans.
The first track you played on repeat?
R: 'Stand Up Tall' by Dizzee Rascal.
A song that defines the teenage you?
R: 'In The End' by Linkin Park.
N/TS/TC: 'So Here We Are' by Bloc Party.
One record you would keep forever?
Tc: 'Scott 4' by Scott Walker. His first album of entirely original songs and it’s fantastic from start to finish. Really great voice and nice string arrangements.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
TS: "Maybe I've never really loved
I guess that is the truth
I've spent my whole life in clouds at icy altitude
And looking down on everything
I crashed into his arms
Amelia, it was just a false alarm"
From 'Amelia' by Joni Mitchell. This is meant to be about Amelia Earhart who was the first female pilot, but I think it's one of Joni's most autobiographical tracks, reminiscing about a failed relationship. I don't know many songwriters who are able to write so convincingly on two levels like that.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
TC: 'Lo Tuyo Es Mental' by Celia & Johnny. Pure groove from top to bottom!
A song you wished you had written?
TS: 'Nobody Wants A Lonely Heart' by Arthur Russell. Probably the most uplifting song about being alone, with horns that sound like a Mardi Gras parade.
Best song to turn up loud?
N: 'Get Got' by Death Grips. Can you even listen to this at a normal volume?
Best song to bring people together?
R: 'Chiquitita' by Abba. I've belted this out many times at the end of a night, and it's perfect for a dancefloor huddle - although quite hard to sing.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
TS: 'Claws' by Charli XCX. Hearing this feels like overdosing on pick n mix.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
N: 'All I Need' by Air (ft. Beth Hirsch). The loungey synths and soft vocals are the perfect pillow for a heavy head.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
'Nancy and Lee (Vogued)' by The Golden Dregs.
'Girl' by Girl Ray.
'150' by Porij.
'Morena 92' by Con Cariño George.
'Foggy' by John Myrtle.
Name, where are you from?
We are Tom Short, Neraj Thangarajah, Rob Janke and Tom Clark. Mostly from London with a bit of Southampton thrown in for good measure.
Describe your style in three words?
South London Dads.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
R: Kate Bush at Hammersmith Apollo - It was her first tour in years and she had a top band with her, a huge production.
TS: D'Angelo on his last tour. It was so cool to see his band rework all these smooth neo-soul tracks into something raw and psychedelic and heavy.
TC: Daniel Avery at Apolo in Barcelona. Everything sounded massive from start to finish.
N: Phoenix at Ally Pally. They had a huge mirror above them reflecting a light up floor on stage, and a giant disco ball. Inspiration for our 2021 shows.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Pink Floyd circa 'Dark Side Of The Moon' and Talking Heads performing 'Stop Making Sense'. In a ludicrous hypothetical scenario, we could maybe fit somewhere in between these two bands at the top of their game.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
New wave, PC music, city pop, '90s hip-hop, sophisti-pop - all the pop.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Florian Schneider from Kraftwerk - Innovative musically and aesthetically and has had such an influence on so many modern genres beyond just electronic. Would have loved to have recorded at Kling Klang studios with him.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Unsurprisingly, The Windmill, as it was our first and maybe our best gig. Also honorary mentions for places we've played in previous bands - St Pancras Old Church, The Joiners in Southampton and Manchester's Deaf Institute.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Andrew Weatherall - he produced so many greats and has so much fantastic original music under various guises. We’re big fans.
The first track you played on repeat?
R: 'Stand Up Tall' by Dizzee Rascal.
A song that defines the teenage you?
R: 'In The End' by Linkin Park.
N/TS/TC: 'So Here We Are' by Bloc Party.
One record you would keep forever?
Tc: 'Scott 4' by Scott Walker. His first album of entirely original songs and it’s fantastic from start to finish. Really great voice and nice string arrangements.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
TS: "Maybe I've never really loved
I guess that is the truth
I've spent my whole life in clouds at icy altitude
And looking down on everything
I crashed into his arms
Amelia, it was just a false alarm"
From 'Amelia' by Joni Mitchell. This is meant to be about Amelia Earhart who was the first female pilot, but I think it's one of Joni's most autobiographical tracks, reminiscing about a failed relationship. I don't know many songwriters who are able to write so convincingly on two levels like that.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
TC: 'Lo Tuyo Es Mental' by Celia & Johnny. Pure groove from top to bottom!
A song you wished you had written?
TS: 'Nobody Wants A Lonely Heart' by Arthur Russell. Probably the most uplifting song about being alone, with horns that sound like a Mardi Gras parade.
Best song to turn up loud?
N: 'Get Got' by Death Grips. Can you even listen to this at a normal volume?
Best song to bring people together?
R: 'Chiquitita' by Abba. I've belted this out many times at the end of a night, and it's perfect for a dancefloor huddle - although quite hard to sing.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
TS: 'Claws' by Charli XCX. Hearing this feels like overdosing on pick n mix.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
N: 'All I Need' by Air (ft. Beth Hirsch). The loungey synths and soft vocals are the perfect pillow for a heavy head.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
'Nancy and Lee (Vogued)' by The Golden Dregs.
'Girl' by Girl Ray.
'150' by Porij.
'Morena 92' by Con Cariño George.
'Foggy' by John Myrtle.
Multiples | Quiet Room (2020)