Belfast-based indie rock trio Gnarkats have released The Dreamer EP. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
Teaming up once again with producer and The Answer guitarist Paul Mahon, Louis Nelson (vocals, bass), Jordan Evans (guitar) and Stuart Robinson (drums, vocals) also shot a new video with Niall Fegan for new single All The Time.
Speaking about the new songs, Nelson said, "Me and Stuart wrote the lyrics, and I think the commonality we had throughout the EP is dealing with the feelings of insecurity and change. That's why I think we referenced dreams a lot, dreams can be like an idealised version of what you want your life to be, which can both prove to be a healthy and an unhealthy thing.
"During the writing of this EP a lot was going on in our lives, a problem I had personally, was wanting my life to get better, but I didn’t necessarily know how to actually do that, which led to unhealthy habits and the awful feeling of not knowing what to do."
Tell us three things about yourself?
Louis Nelson: I live in a small seaside town called Bangor, I enjoy cycling and I like to draw.
Jordan Evans: I play guitar in Gnarkats, I love Star Wars, and I love Alan Partridge.
Stuart Robinson: I love surfing. I'm very interested in Greek mythology. I love board games.
How would you describe your music?
Louis: I like to think of our music as energetic and uplifting, despite some of the sad lyrics.
Jordan: Alt rock/grunge pop.
Stuart: Grunge pop.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Louis: Phoebe Bridgers, El Ten Eleven and Pearl Jam.
Jordan: David Bowie, Trent Reznor and Jack White.
Stuart: Wavves, The Strokes, and Aries.
How did you occupy yourself during the coronavirus lockdown?
Louis: I am currently studying an Illustration course in university, which has been a lot of fun, despite it all being online. I've also started selling prints of my artwork, I think staying creative has really helped me during lockdown.
Jordan: I was doing a song a day on Instagram which was fun, learning songs every day and ate crisps.
Stuart: I’ve been working as a composer and sound designer on multiple projects. I’ve also tried to develop a good schedule of exercise and recently brewed my own beer at home.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Louis: I’m So Tired - Fugazi.
Jordan: Show Me How To Live - Audioslave.
Stuart: B.O.B - Outkast.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Louis: "Can’t buy what I want because it’s free" - Pearl Jam, Corduroy.
Jordan: "I have only two emotions/Careful fear and dead devotion" - The National, Don’t Swallow The Cap.
Stuart: "Green eyes, I’d run away with you" - Wavves, Green Eyes.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
Louis: This Must Be the Place by Talking Heads.
Jordan: I’m Afraid of Americans by David Bowie.
Stuart: New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down by LCD Soundsystem.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Bandcamp and Spotify. And hopefully you’ll find some music being played in venues this year.
