It’s that time of year again. The nights are closing in, the air is getting crisper, and Christmas songs are probably knocking on the front door as we speak – but 2019 is a-coming.
From 27th-29th November, The Great Escape’s First Fifty series is showcasing the first acts confirmed to play at the new music shindig in Brighton next year.
Dork’s jumping aboard for all the fun, hosting a night at The Old Blue Last on Tuesday 27th November, featuring lo-fi mover Ed The Dog, Welsh favourites Himalayas and Blossoms-tipped newcomers, Fuzzy Sun.
Before it all goes down, we tackled Himalayas for a catch-up.
Hi drummer James, how has your 2018 been so far?
Hey, 2018 has been a rollercoaster of reality and dreams coming together.
When did you realise you wanted to make music?
Ever since I got kicked out of class in Primary school for constantly tapping on the tables. My parents bought me a drum kit that year for Christmas, and the rest is history.
How did you guys get together?
Mike (lead guitarist) and Joe (singer) have been playing in bands together for a while, and I was in my own band in high school. After college, The boys were looking for a drummer, so they asked me. I joined the band, and now we needed a bass player. Louis and I worked together at the time, and I knew he played the guitar so we gave him a bass and asked him to come to practice and that was our line up solidified.
Are you creative in non-musical ways too?
I have an interest in filmmaking and cars. I do some of the video diary editing for the band before our beloved photographer Andrew joined us. In my spare time, I tinker with classic cars.
What else do you do for fun?
Walk my dogs in the countryside. Old man stuff for a 22-year-old.
What would you most like to achieve during your music career?
To be able to do this first time, even get a mortgage from doing it. We have those generic dreams of a number 1 album and world tours, but if we can make a living from doing this, then we’ll be happy enough.
What’s the best song you’ve written so far?
I don’t write many songs (that’s why I’m the drummer), but ‘The Mirror’ which hasn’t been released has to be my favourite and most innovative from us.
You guys are playing The Great Escape’s First Fifty showcase – what’s the best thing about a Himalayas live show?
Wacky shirts that don’t fit us properly and hooks that’ll be stuck with you. We don’t have much pride for ourselves, but we like to think we put on a great live show, it’s got us this far.
What are you working on right now?
Our potential album. We locked ourselves away last winter and recorded 14 tracks at the famous Giant Wafer Studios in the Welsh valleys. We have been so busy over 2018 we haven’t had time to finish them, but they are almost done.
What’s on your bucket list for 2019?
To grow, play twice as many songs and hopefully release our debut album with the right backing. Glastonbury is the next festival dream for us.
Words: Sam Taylor
