The band’s debut album is out now.
By: Sam Taylor.
After taking a bit of away, Bristol-based quintet Goan Dogs have just dropped their debut album, ‘Call Your Mum’. It’s an assertive take on indie-pop, with seductive, dark undertones that suggest all might not be as it seems as they delve into life’s difficult depths.
“It’s top advice for anyone in the privileged position of having a mum they can talk to,” the band explain of the record. “The album is filled with lost people, unfulfilled people, confused people, heartsick people and anxious people.”
Lead singer Luke St Leger tells us more about his band.
Hi Luke, how’s it going?
Hi Dork. Yeah, pretty good thanks! I appreciate you asking.
How did you guys meet then, have you been together long?
We’ve known each other for most of our lives, really. Some of our parents were friends way back when and most of us went to school with each other. Have we been together long? Yes! About ten years, give or take.
What’s Bristol like for up-and-coming bands at the moment?
Yeah, there’s a pretty good scene although it’s kind of hard to remember at this point. Music has been a solitary affair for a bit too long now. I can’t wait to go watch someone prance around on a stage irl…
What was the journey like getting to your debut album?
Well, we’ve always loved playing live and have concentrated on that with the odd release here and there. It wasn’t until I started producing and mixing that we were like, “it’s time”. It’s been good because although we’ve enjoyed working with producers in the past, having creative control has allowed us to express ourselves on the record in the same way we have always done on a stage or in a rehearsal room.
What was your mindset when you first began working on it?
It was like looking into a big empty space, and all we had to do was fill it up. It was a little daunting as it was a new challenge, but we all had ideas of how we wanted to sound, so it was a really fun and creative project to get all that stuff out of our heads and on to tape. I mean a hard drive.
Pandemic aside, did you come up against any unexpected challenges during the creation process?
I guess the main thing was that the process of recording, producing and mixing was new for me. It was a big learning curve that sometimes felt like it was too steep to get up. I had a clear image in my mind of what point B sounded like, but I was at point A, and I had to figure out the path in between. I think the challenge made it more rewarding though.
What do you most enjoy writing music about?
Tough question! I don’t think there’s a particular subject that I like to write about more than anything else. What I enjoy is when a concept finds its way into my head, trying to work out how to realise that concept in song form, if you get what I mean.
Do songs find you, or do you have to find them?
Ha! I guess I kinda just answered that but yeah, for me the idea works its way into my head, and I have to figure out the missing pieces. Kinda like a crossword. Although, I can’t do crosswords.
Where do you hope your debut album will take you?
I just hope people can feel it and relate to it and get where we’re coming from. Anything else is a bonus! Although maybe a super bowl halftime show would be a pretty sweet gig. It’s important not to set your sights too high to avoid disappointment.
Is there anything else we should know?
Um… you should know that you should bend your knees when lifting anything heavy. Also, you should know that ‘Call Your Mum’ is on Spotify right now, so go listen!
Goan Dogs’ debut album ‘Call Your Mum’ is out now.
Hello, ‘Dear Reader’
We’d like to ask you for a small favour. We have never been read by more people (hurrah! – Ed), and yet, thanks to the way the ad-funded media market operates, we earn little (booo! – Ed). This publication costs time, money and work – and with proper foundations, we can continue to invest to make it bigger and better than ever before. If you’re able, we’d love it if you’d consider becoming a supporter today. It’ll only take a minute, and you’ll get loads of extra bits and pieces in return. If you’re unable – don’t worry; most pieces are available to read totally free of charge, and many more supporter only articles will unlock after a period of time. Thank you very much!
