Brand New Friend have released their new single Talk it Out, with their new album Grandstand due for release on 15 September. We asked vocalist Lauren of the band the BIG questions . . .
Speaking about Talk It Out, Lauren says, "It was written during a practice session in our old rehearsal space, which was a cordoned-off section of a warehouse in rural Antrim.
"We had moved sofas and sound equipment into one corner, and the rest of the building was full of machinery and sawdust.
"It started life as a completely different song, and the instrumental was reworked. I don't usually take the lead when writing lyrics and melodies, so I asked Taylor to step outside with an acoustic guitar and I showed him my idea for the top line.
"I always remember the day that we excavated the song and created something new out of the original idea."
Following the release of their debut album Seatbelts for Aeroplanes in 2018, they hit the road in support of Snow Patrol, Lewis Capaldi, Ash, Starcrawler, At The Drive In, RAT BOY and Feeder.
Tell us three things about yourself?
I'm one of five children and three of us are in Brand New Friend. Outside of the band, I have a Masters in media studies and I’m about to start studying for my PhD. I am a huge dog person and my family have two - a labradoodle named Highbury (after the old Arsenal stadium) and a lhasa apso named Preston.
How would you describe your music?
I would describe our music as thoughtful alternative/indie pop, inspired by bands like The National, Bright Eyes and Rilo Kiley.
Who are your musical inspirations?
In the band, we all have quite eclectic tastes. Some of my favourite artists are Paramore, Haim, Phoenix, Vampire Weekend and Arcade Fire. But the guys in the band would name-check artists like Interpol, Ben Howard, Bon Iver and Nick Cave. I think all of them creep into our sound in various ways.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
My first ever gig was Paramore in Custom House Square, Belfast in 2012.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Truthfully, it was probably an S-Club 7 CD. But the first record that I remember really shaping my music taste was Illinois by Sufjan Stevens.
What’s your favourite song right now?
My current favourite song is Atonia by Conchur White, a talented folk/indie artist from Northern Ireland.
Favourite lyric of all time?
All of the lyrics to God Only Knows by The Beach Boys! The perfect love song.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Don’t Steal Our Sun by The Thrills because it fills me with such joy and nostalgia.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Our music is on all the major streaming services, and you can find us on social media at @brandnewfriendz on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
