Intro

In a year that’s seen them perform on Conan and miss out on the helm of the album charts by a mere 528 copies, North London’s Wolf Alice are very much the forerunners of the Indie Class of ’15. Heralded by our very own Tara Joshi as “a contender for the album to soundtrack this summer”, “My Love is Cool” sticks two fingers up to pigeonholing and “stone cold” lovers alike.

Drummer and songwriter, Joel Amey took time out from the band’s gruelling tour schedule to have a wee chat.

Wonderland

“Looking outside the window, driving through the states was very much a pinch-yourself moment. Playing Conan was so surreal-it was like a Hollywood movie set.

It was pretty chilled backstage, having your food brought to you.

Gigs are different over there. They’re pre-recorded so there isn’t as much pressure. They’re so mental though-like a football match, the crowd screaming between songs”

Misogyny in Music

There’s a devotedness within the band that resonates even across the phone, Joel becoming exercised when I bring up the topical matter of misogyny in music.

“There was one gig which we played with Swim Deep where one guy was hurling abuse at Ellie and everyone was telling him to shut up. If anyone was to do that again, I’d head into the crowd and fight them.”

Even when he humorously self-deprecatingly labels himself as “weak”, you can’t help but sense the sincerity there, that the quartet will stick up for each other, whatever happens, the type mirrored on lead single, Bros.

“I read one review where they mentioned what Ellie was wearing. I don’t see why that, in particular was relevant”, he goes on. With echoes of Lauren Mayberry from Chvrches’ recent interview with Pitchfork, he concludes, “there are lots of other female-fronted bands which deserve more support.”

“I read one review where they mentioned what Ellie was wearing. I don’t see why that, in particular was relevant”

Longitude

Following triumphant sets at Glastonbury which saw them team up with Swim Deep’s Austin Williams and cover the Scissor Sisters’ Take Your Mama, Wolf Alice turn their sights to the rest of the summer, which will see them surf the US and Europe including a date at Marlay Park on the Sunday at Longitude.

“That’s actually the same day as Ellie’s birthday. Last year, at Latitude we managed to organise bringing a cake on stage for her and everything. We haven’t been to Ireland in a while. It should be fun. Ellie has loads of family over there.”

Conclusion

With copies of their debut album continuing to fly off the shelves and tickets to their homecoming show at Brixton selling out fast, Wolf Alice’s trajectory to stardom shows no signs of abating.

“As long as artists stay true to their form”, Joel tells us when asked about the ongoing debate between independent labels and Apple. If the Londoners continue the way they’re going, we may be seeing them shoot up festival billings in no time.