Musicians are real people, you know. They do stuff other than just create nice songs, like – erm – make coffee tables? Don’t ask us, ask Caleb from Broods.
Hey Caleb, how’s it going? Did you have a good 2018?
I had an amazing 2018 – we finished a record, signed a new record deal, toured with Taylor Swift and played a sold-out show at The Dome in Tufnell Park. 2018 feels like it’s lasted two months, to be honest.
We hear you’re into making furniture, what first kickstarted your hobby?
My dad is a carpenter, so he always had tools around the house if anything needed fixing. I went to university to study product design because I wanted to be a furniture designer, but then someone offered me a record deal, so I left!
Is it something you get to do often?
No, it’s not something I get to do very often, but it’s something that I do when I’ve got a little bit of time on my hands.
What kind of set up do you need to start making stuff?
You don’t need much at all. It’s very easy to go to a hardware store and get over-excited. The first time I went, I came out with three different saws, two of them are still in the box…
What’s the easiest bit of furniture to have a bash at for a beginner?
Shelves, for sure.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever made?
Probably some shelves. I made a coffee table once (pictured), but that was more of a reinvention of furniture rather than a making-from-scratch situation.
Do you ever sell your pieces?
No. I wouldn’t even give it to anybody! It’s not exactly made to the best quality, and it’s not the sturdiest of creations.
Have you had any furniture making disasters or mishaps?
Almost every single one! I’ve not hurt myself, but I’m not very good at measuring, I’m very much a winger of things. They say ‘measure twice cut once’, I measure once, cut three times…
If you could invent a new piece of furniture, what would it be?
I don’t know what the world needs that hasn’t been invented furniture-wise. Maybe a giant indoor swing?
Anything else we should know?
Our new album ‘Don’t Feed The Pop Monster’ is out 1st February 2019.
Taken from the February issue of Dork, out now.
Words: Sam Taylor
