Words: Neive McCarthy. Photos: Patrick Gunning assisted by Deckard Hurd. Styling: Molly Ashman assisted by Rebecca Evans White. Hair & makeup: Chloe Rose using Saie Beauty.
An age-old debate of absolute importance is consuming a corner table of a pub in Leeds. Lidl or Aldi? For English Teacher, there can only be one right answer, and of course, it’s Lidl. Naturally, the bakery is the deciding factor for the Leeds-based four-piece. “I really miss Lidl,” says Lily Fontaine, the frontwoman of the band.
Thankfully, over the last year, English Teacher have seen their fair share of Lidls and Aldis – from currywurst sausage rolls in Germany to hot dogs in an admittedly “trash” Aldi bakery in Belgium, sold-out shows across Europe have seen them sampling the best supermarkets of the continent left, right and centre. It’s just one joy in a year that has seen the band busier than ever; from Jools Holland to the BBC 6 Music A-List, it’s been pinch-me moment after pinch-me moment.
“I don’t think I’ve processed it still, especially Jools Holland,” reflects Nicholas Eden, the band’s bassist. “I don’t think that’s gone the whole way through my brain yet. Some time to take stock would be good.”
Lewis Whiting, the group’s lead guitarist, continues. “Equally, in the past year, I think we’ve really got used to touring. We’ve adjusted a fair bit to the busyness of it all. I think that’s prepared us in a way for the coming year. It’s a big year.” Lily adds: “I hope so. I want it to be crazy.”
Luckily for English Teacher, it’s looking like it will be. As they chat over pints of Guinness on a bank holiday Friday, there’s just a couple of weeks until their debut album, ‘This Could Be Texas’, is released to the world. Nerves are growing amongst the group as the approach nears, but they needn’t be. There’s never been any doubt that the debut from English Teacher would be fantastic.
Just two years on from their debut EP ‘Polyawkward’, and yet their debut sees them reach stratospheric new heights. For the band, however, things remain a work in progress through their eyes. “We’re still figuring out a lot,” Lewis admits. “That’s how the process of writing the album felt. We had an idea of what we wanted to do with the EP, but it didn’t feel fully formed. Now, even still, there’s a lot to figure out in terms of what we sound like.” Nicholas agrees: “It’s still early days, isn’t it?”
“It is in the grand scheme of things,” responds Lewis. “I definitely don’t think we’ve hit a point where we’ve got it all figured out.”
“No, I think we’re all still quite confused!” laughs Douglas Frost, the band’s drummer.
