01Profile
A Make Friends Photo
Make Friends
Musicians — Bristol
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
We are Make Friends (Dave, Con, Tom and Max), a four-piece indie act brewed in Bath but based in Bristol.
What do you do?
We get jingly-jangly riffs to sit nicely with a big muff.
Describe your style in three words?
Oversized fits perfectly.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
C: This question has far too many right answers, but one that always springs to mind is Bombay Bicycle Club during their 'So Long, See You Tomorrow' tour. The band played flawlessly as always, complete with some live brass chucked in the mix, but their lighting rig was what took it the next level. They had elements of their album artwork animated behind them, so the whole show was a treat for the eyes and ears. Truly a sight to behold.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
D: The first band would have to be The Police. We’re all huge fans and musically they’re a massive inspiration for us so would be a pleasure to watch them play. Amazing how just three people can make such a big sound live! The track would be 'Message In A Bottle' because that’s one of the best guitar lines ever written and it gets us pumped every time we listen to it.
We’d also love to be on the same lineup as Toto. We listen to 'Africa' and 'Hold The Line' pretty much every time we’re on the road and reckon we’d get goosebumps seeing them live. 'Hold The Line' would be the track we choose, we quite often blast that song as we’re pulling up to a venue and seeing Toto play it live would make us feel like we can take on the world.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
C: Cumulatively, we’re a bit of a hodgepodge really, so I think 'A Scene In Between' is close enough to being pretty all-encompassing for us. All in, 'A Scene In Between' is a simple but striking look that was pioneered by a number of bands that have influenced us musically and visually (all the way down to the occasional shite haircut).
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
D: We’d love to spend an hour with Nile Rodgers. He’s worked with so many iconic musicians and written so many songs over the years so would happily just sit and listen to him tell stories about his life for an hour. The track I’d choose would have to be 'Good Times'. As well as possibly featuring the best and most famous bass hook of all time, it’s also a song that can just lift your spirits whenever it comes on, which is something we really appreciate about music.
Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
C: The Hug + Pint in Glasgow. Their hospitality was stellar, cracking food (and Tennent’s on tap) - the entire venue just embodied everything that’s great about Glasgow. A hug and a pint is something we all look forward to having soon!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
D: Meg White! She gets a lot of flak as a drummer but her playing style suits The White Stripes music so much and compliments the guitar parts really nicely. 'Blue Orchid' has an amazing guitar riff and the bass drum she plays in the verses is all it needs to shine. It’s not about showing off, it’s about syncing up with your bandmates!
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
C: Does anyone have an honest answer they’re proud of for this one? Truth be told, it would probably have to be something like 'Rock DJ' by Robbie Williams. Aside from that, my older brother made a proper cassette mix-tape for the lengthy car journeys when I was about 6 or 7. I recall 'Roxanne' by The Police, 'Baggy Trousers' by Madness and 'Golden Brown' by The Stranglers getting a fair amount of airtime!
A song that defines the teenage you?
D: 'Cornerstone' by Arctic Monkeys. Takes me back to being an awkward teenager trying to learn this song to impress girls. Quite embarrassing to look back on now but isn’t that what being a teenager was all about?
One record you would keep forever?
C: 'Total Life Forever' by Foals. I was a big fan since 'Antidotes' ('Hummer' at the Skins Secret Party, anyone?) but TLF proved truly seminal for me. The album came out when I was 15 and navigating typical teen angst like I was blindfolded, but this was a constant crutch throughout and remains so over a decade later. It’s a constant toss-up between 'Holy Fire' and 'Total Life Forever' for my top-of-all-time, but you’ll always remember your first love.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
D: “I’ve been looking so long at these pictures of you that I almost believe that they're real”
The first line of 'Pictures Of You' by The Cure has always been a song lyric that affected me. It could be talking about someone from a past relationship or even someone who was close to you that passed away. As much as I appreciate metaphors and hidden meanings in songs I personally find lyrics that are to the point and upfront can be really blunt and powerful, and they inspire me to want to write lyrics that can be this moving.
A song you wished you had written?
C: 'Plastic 100°C' by Sampha. I’ve never been quite able to pinpoint what’s so special about this song, but it has such a distinct aura about it. Criminally underrated. As a musician, you can only hope to create something of that calibre.
Best song to turn up loud?
C: There’s a playlist that goes on anytime we’re touring, which features everything from 'Blue (Da Ba Dee)' by Eiffel 65 to 'In the Air Tonight' by Phil Collins. When we’re whipping back to our Airbnb after a show though, there’s nothing better than 'Rock the Casbah' by The Clash. There’s a varying level of coherence in the car throughout, but we can all (just about) belt out the chorus.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
C: Despite my personal guilty pleasures playlist bursting at the seams, I think one we all have a soft spot for is 'Circles' by Post Malone. He’s not an artist typical of what we’re into, but it’s a sublime track about a situationship you can’t seem to shake, despite your best intentions.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
D: Kind of (another) guilty pleasure, but Chromeo’s remix of 'Wait' by Maroon 5 is an absolute bop that we challenge anyone to listen to and not wanna dance. Another song we play a lot on the road and makes us feel like we’re at a '70s disco.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
C: 'Stars' by Simply Red. This track played at the end of our first sold-out show in Bris whilst we were packing down. We were unwavering in our attempts at hitting those falsetto chorus notes. To say we left much to be desired is an understatement, but we went out on a high, as every all-nighter should!
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
D: Bad Sounds, Arlo Parks, Alfie Templeman, Goat Girl and Febueder are some acts we’re listening to a lot at the moment, they’ve got some big new tunes out. We also recommend people check out some new tracks from our fellow Bristol artists Joe Probert, Ramptom Prom and Conal Kelly.
C: We’ve also been listening to Oscar Scheller and a fantastic French duo called No Panties (well worth checking out). Make Friends have a ‘Listening To’ playlist that you can find on Spotify, which features all the tracks we can’t get out of our heads.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
We are Make Friends (Dave, Con, Tom and Max), a four-piece indie act brewed in Bath but based in Bristol.
What do you do?
We get jingly-jangly riffs to sit nicely with a big muff.
Describe your style in three words?
Oversized fits perfectly.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
C: This question has far too many right answers, but one that always springs to mind is Bombay Bicycle Club during their 'So Long, See You Tomorrow' tour. The band played flawlessly as always, complete with some live brass chucked in the mix, but their lighting rig was what took it the next level. They had elements of their album artwork animated behind them, so the whole show was a treat for the eyes and ears. Truly a sight to behold.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
D: The first band would have to be The Police. We’re all huge fans and musically they’re a massive inspiration for us so would be a pleasure to watch them play. Amazing how just three people can make such a big sound live! The track would be 'Message In A Bottle' because that’s one of the best guitar lines ever written and it gets us pumped every time we listen to it.
We’d also love to be on the same lineup as Toto. We listen to 'Africa' and 'Hold The Line' pretty much every time we’re on the road and reckon we’d get goosebumps seeing them live. 'Hold The Line' would be the track we choose, we quite often blast that song as we’re pulling up to a venue and seeing Toto play it live would make us feel like we can take on the world.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
C: Cumulatively, we’re a bit of a hodgepodge really, so I think 'A Scene In Between' is close enough to being pretty all-encompassing for us. All in, 'A Scene In Between' is a simple but striking look that was pioneered by a number of bands that have influenced us musically and visually (all the way down to the occasional shite haircut).
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
D: We’d love to spend an hour with Nile Rodgers. He’s worked with so many iconic musicians and written so many songs over the years so would happily just sit and listen to him tell stories about his life for an hour. The track I’d choose would have to be 'Good Times'. As well as possibly featuring the best and most famous bass hook of all time, it’s also a song that can just lift your spirits whenever it comes on, which is something we really appreciate about music.
Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
C: The Hug + Pint in Glasgow. Their hospitality was stellar, cracking food (and Tennent’s on tap) - the entire venue just embodied everything that’s great about Glasgow. A hug and a pint is something we all look forward to having soon!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
D: Meg White! She gets a lot of flak as a drummer but her playing style suits The White Stripes music so much and compliments the guitar parts really nicely. 'Blue Orchid' has an amazing guitar riff and the bass drum she plays in the verses is all it needs to shine. It’s not about showing off, it’s about syncing up with your bandmates!
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
C: Does anyone have an honest answer they’re proud of for this one? Truth be told, it would probably have to be something like 'Rock DJ' by Robbie Williams. Aside from that, my older brother made a proper cassette mix-tape for the lengthy car journeys when I was about 6 or 7. I recall 'Roxanne' by The Police, 'Baggy Trousers' by Madness and 'Golden Brown' by The Stranglers getting a fair amount of airtime!
A song that defines the teenage you?
D: 'Cornerstone' by Arctic Monkeys. Takes me back to being an awkward teenager trying to learn this song to impress girls. Quite embarrassing to look back on now but isn’t that what being a teenager was all about?
One record you would keep forever?
C: 'Total Life Forever' by Foals. I was a big fan since 'Antidotes' ('Hummer' at the Skins Secret Party, anyone?) but TLF proved truly seminal for me. The album came out when I was 15 and navigating typical teen angst like I was blindfolded, but this was a constant crutch throughout and remains so over a decade later. It’s a constant toss-up between 'Holy Fire' and 'Total Life Forever' for my top-of-all-time, but you’ll always remember your first love.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
D: “I’ve been looking so long at these pictures of you that I almost believe that they're real”
The first line of 'Pictures Of You' by The Cure has always been a song lyric that affected me. It could be talking about someone from a past relationship or even someone who was close to you that passed away. As much as I appreciate metaphors and hidden meanings in songs I personally find lyrics that are to the point and upfront can be really blunt and powerful, and they inspire me to want to write lyrics that can be this moving.
A song you wished you had written?
C: 'Plastic 100°C' by Sampha. I’ve never been quite able to pinpoint what’s so special about this song, but it has such a distinct aura about it. Criminally underrated. As a musician, you can only hope to create something of that calibre.
Best song to turn up loud?
C: There’s a playlist that goes on anytime we’re touring, which features everything from 'Blue (Da Ba Dee)' by Eiffel 65 to 'In the Air Tonight' by Phil Collins. When we’re whipping back to our Airbnb after a show though, there’s nothing better than 'Rock the Casbah' by The Clash. There’s a varying level of coherence in the car throughout, but we can all (just about) belt out the chorus.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
C: Despite my personal guilty pleasures playlist bursting at the seams, I think one we all have a soft spot for is 'Circles' by Post Malone. He’s not an artist typical of what we’re into, but it’s a sublime track about a situationship you can’t seem to shake, despite your best intentions.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
D: Kind of (another) guilty pleasure, but Chromeo’s remix of 'Wait' by Maroon 5 is an absolute bop that we challenge anyone to listen to and not wanna dance. Another song we play a lot on the road and makes us feel like we’re at a '70s disco.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
C: 'Stars' by Simply Red. This track played at the end of our first sold-out show in Bris whilst we were packing down. We were unwavering in our attempts at hitting those falsetto chorus notes. To say we left much to be desired is an understatement, but we went out on a high, as every all-nighter should!
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
D: Bad Sounds, Arlo Parks, Alfie Templeman, Goat Girl and Febueder are some acts we’re listening to a lot at the moment, they’ve got some big new tunes out. We also recommend people check out some new tracks from our fellow Bristol artists Joe Probert, Ramptom Prom and Conal Kelly.
C: We’ve also been listening to Oscar Scheller and a fantastic French duo called No Panties (well worth checking out). Make Friends have a ‘Listening To’ playlist that you can find on Spotify, which features all the tracks we can’t get out of our heads.