Whilst at Y Not, as part of Music Is To Blame's What's to Blame? interview series, we sat down with the group to chat about their evolution in sound and the camaraderie between themselves and their friends within the music scene.
So to start us off, introduce yourselves and where you're from.
Thank you very much. We are ALRIGHT, and we're a band from Blackpool and the surrounding areas. We're an indie band who do guitar music.
We'd love to know what is to blame for your band name?
It's being Northern. We've got to blame, haven't we? It's being humble - blame humble! You have to be humble, not too serious. ‘Alright’ is a word you say every day. We're the type of band that's just happy to be at the festival. Drinking and enjoying it and having fun. We just happened to write some songs along the way! I think we're doing a bit better than alright now, though. We might have to change our name.
What do you think the biggest difference is between your sound when you began and today?
We were quite mellow with the acoustic. It was all driven by the acoustic originally. The guitar was nice. Which was good, but in the last year or so, we've stepped up, haven't we? So it used to be that all rhythm was acoustic guitar, but now we float between acoustic and electric, which gives us a bigger sound.
Then the other big thing is the ambience of the guitar. I think our last four releases now, we've got a consistent sound that runs through it, which is the ambience in the background, and I think that plays a massive part in it. One of our mates, Ben Robinson, got involved, and he plays in an Oasis tribute band in the UK. He was in Twisted Wheel a couple of years ago. He's got that big wall of sound - he brings a bit of personality to the band, which is nice. We heard that wall of sound and thought, 'this is where we're going'.
Another one I've just remembered is the harmonies as well. We really lock in on the harmonies. Well, we try! Not many bands try it, I think, because you do need to really practice it, so I do think that is one of the things that people do say when we come off. They say 'you had a good go at the harmonies there', which I think is quite rare in a band. Normally, it's a bit of backing vocals and that's it. I think that's fair to say, though, that our direction of music isn't finished yet. We're in the middle of it because we've tested and tried a few things and gone in a few directions and stuff, but we're moving forward with it. In terms of how we think of our own sound, you know? There's some exploring to do, is what I'm saying - I got there in the end!
What do you think compares when playing festivals to other gigs throughout the year?
I think we still give the same energy. Big energy always. We play the same wherever we go, wherever we are but festivals are your chance to get in front of a couple hundred people and if you come away with 5% or 10% who go 'I'll put them in my playlist' or 'I'll check them out when I get home' then job done for us. Come aboard and have a listen to the tunes. We're gonna have a good time! Another good one, I think about a festival, obviously, this does happen at normal gigs too sometimes, depending on where you are, but at a festival, you come off stage and everyone that you played to is still hanging around. You end up having a drink and spending the night with the people. It's a community. I've got mates on Facebook that are mates because they watch us in the band, but now I think he's sound! Next time I'm at a festival, I'm like, 'Are you there, mate?' and I love that aspect. Connectivity is a big thing for us.
Yeah, it's a nice way to be. Definitely.
Because we come from an honest place. Obviously, the music's first for us, but I feel like, for us as a band and stuff, we do try to take it seriously. But at the same time, we do not forget to just enjoy ourselves for what it is. We don't try and make it something that it's not. We just try and be us. At all times. It feels like, for us, a bit of a radio competition you've entered and won. You come into the festival and shout out to This Feeling by the way for backing up and coming bands. What an organisation. You're here at a festival and you get to camp back with the artists, amongst so many names. And you get to perform! You can bring a few of your mates, and you might actually meet Barrioke! So yeah, festivals are just a win. They're really brilliant. They're the best.
Whilst we're at Y Not, I wanted to know if you're watching any other artists perform?
We've just watched The Twang and they were quality. Love The Twang. People say we're similar to them. It's because we love them. The people that you love are going to show up in your music subconsciously, aren't they? Courteeners as well, I've seen them about thirty-five times. Lancashire Hotpots!
Oh, they're all amazing.
They got out in style. The Prodigy, too. A bit of a rogue one, but I'm a big fan of Sigrid. She is next level! The other side of it is our mates and the upcoming bands. So we watched The Juice yesterday, absolutely mint set. The Cases and The Slates too. We get on with all the other bands, and they're all class as well. You end up watching all the other bands that are on your stage. I made The Cases Pot Noodles this morning! They needed them. They call me 'Unc' because I've turned up with all my camping gear and they have a couple of cagoules. It's just being in a good environment.
The other week, we played in Birmingham, and we were in this green room, and a girl came in and asked if we knew how to tie a bowtie. And she was from The Molotovs, who are going on a US tour with Sex Pistols. Shoutout to them! I got the YouTube tutorial up and did her bowtie for her. They might be the next best thing. They're on their way!
What's your highlight of the year been so far?
Our newest tune! Got to shout it out - 'Everlasting'. We hadn't really delved into TikTok until this release. It's blown up, for our standards, it's gone quite big. That's exciting. It's already started off well, but it's exciting to see where it's going to go. It's our proudest one. We've got proud ones, but because it's so fresh, that's the one. 'Everlasting' - go on Spotify!
Emily Teague
Image: 'Everlasting' Official Single Cover