01Profile
A The Ninth Wave Photo
The Ninth Wave
Musicians — Glasgow
03Interview
Photograph by David East
Name, where are you from?
Haydn & Amelia of The Ninth Wave, we’re from Glasgow.
Describe your style in three words?
Side-eye causing.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
H: Seeing AC/DC when I was in 1st year of high school was a gig I’ll never forget. I squealed and then almost fainted when they walked on stage because I was finally getting to see a band I’d listened to every night when I went to sleep for the 12 years prior to that moment.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
A: Definitely Cocteau Twins, they’ve been a huge influence on me ever since I can remember - I’m even named after one of their songs! I’d be so intrigued to see how Liz Fraser remembers all her lyrics as well. And maybe LCD Soundsystem, honestly just to see how they manage to make their show run so perfectly smooth with such a vast array of instruments and things to go wrong. Every time I’ve seen them not a single thing has gone wrong, or that I’ve noticed.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
We’re influenced by a lot of different things... and each person in the band has their own streams of influence but if we had to pick out a defining moment in time to describe the whole thing it would be the New Romantics, as it seems like the obvious choice. But that’s not the only one!
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
H: Billy Mackenzie of The Associates. I’ve become fascinated by that band and the way that his and Alan Rankin’s songs make me feel is indescribable. The closest thing to describe it is happy-sad. Some of the lyrics and melodies are on a different level and I always find myself listening to their songs again and again.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
It’s hard to pick, but we recently played The Electric Ballroom in London when we supported Yonaka. It helped that the room was packed out when we walked on stage, but also the fact that all along the walls are posters of bands that have played there over the years and to realise that so many of your idols have played on the stage you’re about to play on is pretty surreal. The close second would be the Molotow Club in Hamburg - we’ve played a few gigs there and there’s always been such a good feeling after coming off stage because everyone is has been so into it.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
A: Claire Boucher (Grimes) has the most incredible self-sufficient, no bullshit attitude to the music industry which is so refreshing and has always made an impact on me.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'When You Dress Up' by Roxy Agogo.
Thought I was a pure indie kid finding a tune that was only available on Soundcloud, probably listened to it around 5 times a day from the day I discovered it. Little did I know this man this man would soon take over my life.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Johnny Bagga’ Donuts' by Palma Violets.
Palma Violets were the first band I fell completely in love with, going to every single Glasgow show I could get into, even if that meant faking my age. I used to play this song over and over, and I’m still not sick of it!
One record you would keep forever?
'White Men Are Black Men Too' by Young Fathers.
This was a record my best pal gave to me on my birthday and first introduced me to one of my (now) favourite bands. Every time I listen to it there’s always something new to discover, it’s definitely the epitome of what the Scottish music scene has to offer.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I’ve got time but you’re tired of waiting.”
'Pendulum' by FKA Twigs.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Flutes' by Hot Chip.
A song you wished you had written?
'Decks Dark' by Radiohead.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Best To You' by Blood Orange.
Even if it’s just for that tuned percussion solo - it catches me every time.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'The Girl is Mine' by 99 Souls feat. Destiny’s Child & Brandy.
Thought the original was good enough, you thought wrong.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'What’s A Girl To Do' by Fatima Yamaha.
Not sure if this is the best song, but somehow, without fail, this always comes on when you look out the window at a gaff and see that the sun’s already come up. Somewhat tragically comforting.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
'Hello Can You Go' by Wooze.
'Licking An Orchid' by Yves Tumor.
'What Am I' by Lucia.
03Interview
Photograph by David East
Name, where are you from?
Haydn & Amelia of The Ninth Wave, we’re from Glasgow.
Describe your style in three words?
Side-eye causing.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
H: Seeing AC/DC when I was in 1st year of high school was a gig I’ll never forget. I squealed and then almost fainted when they walked on stage because I was finally getting to see a band I’d listened to every night when I went to sleep for the 12 years prior to that moment.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
A: Definitely Cocteau Twins, they’ve been a huge influence on me ever since I can remember - I’m even named after one of their songs! I’d be so intrigued to see how Liz Fraser remembers all her lyrics as well. And maybe LCD Soundsystem, honestly just to see how they manage to make their show run so perfectly smooth with such a vast array of instruments and things to go wrong. Every time I’ve seen them not a single thing has gone wrong, or that I’ve noticed.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
We’re influenced by a lot of different things... and each person in the band has their own streams of influence but if we had to pick out a defining moment in time to describe the whole thing it would be the New Romantics, as it seems like the obvious choice. But that’s not the only one!
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
H: Billy Mackenzie of The Associates. I’ve become fascinated by that band and the way that his and Alan Rankin’s songs make me feel is indescribable. The closest thing to describe it is happy-sad. Some of the lyrics and melodies are on a different level and I always find myself listening to their songs again and again.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
It’s hard to pick, but we recently played The Electric Ballroom in London when we supported Yonaka. It helped that the room was packed out when we walked on stage, but also the fact that all along the walls are posters of bands that have played there over the years and to realise that so many of your idols have played on the stage you’re about to play on is pretty surreal. The close second would be the Molotow Club in Hamburg - we’ve played a few gigs there and there’s always been such a good feeling after coming off stage because everyone is has been so into it.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
A: Claire Boucher (Grimes) has the most incredible self-sufficient, no bullshit attitude to the music industry which is so refreshing and has always made an impact on me.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'When You Dress Up' by Roxy Agogo.
Thought I was a pure indie kid finding a tune that was only available on Soundcloud, probably listened to it around 5 times a day from the day I discovered it. Little did I know this man this man would soon take over my life.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Johnny Bagga’ Donuts' by Palma Violets.
Palma Violets were the first band I fell completely in love with, going to every single Glasgow show I could get into, even if that meant faking my age. I used to play this song over and over, and I’m still not sick of it!
One record you would keep forever?
'White Men Are Black Men Too' by Young Fathers.
This was a record my best pal gave to me on my birthday and first introduced me to one of my (now) favourite bands. Every time I listen to it there’s always something new to discover, it’s definitely the epitome of what the Scottish music scene has to offer.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I’ve got time but you’re tired of waiting.”
'Pendulum' by FKA Twigs.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Flutes' by Hot Chip.
A song you wished you had written?
'Decks Dark' by Radiohead.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Best To You' by Blood Orange.
Even if it’s just for that tuned percussion solo - it catches me every time.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'The Girl is Mine' by 99 Souls feat. Destiny’s Child & Brandy.
Thought the original was good enough, you thought wrong.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'What’s A Girl To Do' by Fatima Yamaha.
Not sure if this is the best song, but somehow, without fail, this always comes on when you look out the window at a gaff and see that the sun’s already come up. Somewhat tragically comforting.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
'Hello Can You Go' by Wooze.
'Licking An Orchid' by Yves Tumor.
'What Am I' by Lucia.
The Ninth Wave | Used To Be Yours (2019)
The Ninth Wave | Half Pure (2019)
The Ninth Wave | Swallow Me (2018)
The Ninth Wave | New Kind of Ego (2018)