Circa Waves talk ‘Different Creatures’ and… bananas

Circa Waves’ frontman Kieran Shudall opens up about life before the band and more.

Circa Waves have made it clear they’re a force to be reckoned with. The release of their second album, ‘Different Creatures’ cemented them within the alternative rock genre and their live shows pack nothing short of a punch. We caught up with Kieran from the band ahead of their set on the R&L Main Stage.

Talk to us about the music scene and what it was like growing up in Liverpool.

Liverpool feels like a tiny village, everyone knows each other and if you want to start a band and get gigs it’s really easy. For such a small city there are plenty of great venues and amazing promoters always pushing new bands

Who would you say have been your biggest influences musically?

I have certain albums I always fall back on: The Killers’ ‘Sam’s Town’ Foo Fighters’ ‘The Colour and The Shape’, The Beatles’ ‘Rubber Soul’, The Strokes’ ‘Is This It’ and Kings of Leon’s ‘Aha Shake Heartbreak’. All of that rolled into one kinda forms Circa Waves.

‘Different Creatures’ represents a bit of a shift in tone for the band, what factors would you say influences the direction of your music the most?

I wanted our live shows to step up a notch and I felt like bigger drums and heavier guitars would push that.

You’re playing Reading and Leeds this year, what one song from ‘Different Creatures’’ do you think will be the most fun to play live?

I love ‘Stuck’. It feels like a secret festival anthem waiting to happen. The middle 8 has to be one of the best sing alongs of our set.

What’s the weirdest thing anyone has ever thrown on stage at one of your performances?

A bag of spaghetti.

Out of all of you, who do you think could successfully pitch a tent?

Deffo me.

If you were going to share a dressing room with anyone on the line up, who would you choose and why?

Liam Gallagher, just so I could try on all his boss coats.

If you could collaborate with any three artists on the Reading and Leeds line up, who would they be and why?

Haim. I think they’re writing some of the most interesting pop at the moment.
Liam Gallagher. Maybe he’d let me wear his coat.

Fatboy Slim. I loved that ‘You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby’ album.

If you could only choose one item to have at a festival, what would it be and why?

Sunglasses to hide the hangover.

What’s your one festival must-have snack?

Your bog standard banana can see you through the roughest of times.

Who are you tipping to be big in 2017?

Dead Pretties

Circa Waves play Reading on Friday 25th and Leeds on Saturday 26th August.