With a debut that stood out, we cough up with Sprints' Karla Chubb to run through her 2024.
Hey Karla, how has your 2024 been?
Hectic but beautiful. It’s been a whirlwind year. We released our debut album in January and have been on the road since, seeing new cities, meeting new fans and enjoying the ride.
Sounds like a busy one! What have been your defining moments?
Definitely selling out our headline run across the UK, EU, USA and Ireland. It was a bit nuts to play the biggest venues of our lives and see them so full. Some definite highlights as well were opening for IDLES and Pixies, playing a packed Glastonbury and All Together Now set and working on some new music.
We’re nearly a year on from the release of your debut album, too - how do you feel about the release now?
Relieved? Haha. It’s always nerve-wracking putting your work into the world, but we were bowled over by the reception. It’s always just been our dream to play music as our full-time job, and we were able to make that a reality this year, so we couldn’t be happier.
Which other acts have really knocked it out of the park this year?
Our pals English Teacher absolutely smashed it. We couldn’t be more proud to see them win the Mercury Prize. Fellow Irishmen Gurriers released a debut and appeared on Jools Holland, so massive congrats to them too. I would say Wunderhorse and Fontaines D.C., too; pretty obvious ones, but two cracking albums.
Yeah, they've all done brilliantly. What has been the biggest music-related news story of 2024?
I would say the continued fight to support grassroots venues. The calls for more support from larger acts and the continued fight against things like dynamic pricing have definitely dominated headlines and music publications. We as a band wouldn’t exist without the small independent venues in Dublin that nurtured us, so it's definitely a cause we’re putting our name behind, too.
Do you have any resolutions for 2025?
Get a bloody driving licence. We’re too old for the bus now.
Do you have any favourite Christmas party games?
I like to play this game with my family at Christmas where we see how much wine we can drink before we start arguing about politics.
What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received from a member of your band?
The gift of friendship - love you boys xoxo.
Taken from the December 2024 / January 2025 issue of Dork.
