How’s January been for everyone? Bit chilly? Bit boring? Well, don’t fear; here at your favourite music magazine (that’s us, right guys?), we’re ready to lift those spirits sky-high with our first Dork’s Night Out of the year.
Taking place at Colours Hoxton this Friday, 27th January, we’re bringing Coach Party, Sad Boys Club and deep tan to the stage for an incredible night – never mind the late-night DJ fun going on afterwards.
Ahead of the show, we’ve dropped a line to all three bands to see how they’re preparing, what 2023 is set to bring, and, of course, their favourite pizza toppings. (Did we write these questions while quite hungry? Yes. – Ed)
We’re starting off with deep tan, who rounded off 2022 with a storming run of shows across the UK and Europe following the release of latest EP, ‘diamond horsetail’. We chat new years resolutions, ‘math-goth’ and a whole load more:
Hello, Wafah and Celeste. How are we, and whereabouts are you in the world?
Celeste: We’re good, thanks. Currently, in a Turkish café in Walthamstow by their shrine to Princess Diana. It’s a whole mood.
Wafah: They’re playing Turkish folk–pop with some really interesting Eastern string arrangements. Wouldn’t be against using an Arabic string section in some future deep tan tracks, come to think of it.
How’s 2023 treating you so far? You kicked off the year at Rockaway Beach a couple of weeks ago – how was that?
Wafah: 2023’s been fun so far. Rockaway Beach was a great way to beat the January blues: the line-up was full of friends’ bands, so we watched everyone play and hung out afterwards, which was a perfect way of catching up after Christmas. Scalping’s set and visuals were amazing, as always. The Goa Express were great too, and Peter Hook with all his Joy Divison and New Order classics. The festival also put us up in the holiday apartments onsite, so there were a few very late ones in the mix too.
Celeste: Rockaway Beach had so many great – and weird – arcade games. Extra fun when on the sauce. I didn’t ride the virtual Reddit Rollercoaster but regret it every day. Was good to see Scalping thriving in the zombie apocalypse (though I’d expect nothing less). Also loved meeting Panic Shack, who we’ve been internet friends with for a while but not met in person. Big Joanie, playing their new album, sounded incredible. So much stage presence, charisma and charm too. 10/10, would recommend.
Any new year’s resolutions?
Wafah: More whiskey sours.
Celeste: More Sundays at Unfold, Octavia Butler, and neighbourhood walks with Stav B and Anka.
How are things in the world of deep tan? Played a number of dates to round out 2022 – how was the year, looking back?
Celeste: It’s definitely been a year of firsts: first European shows – France, Ireland, Denmark, eight shows in the Netherlands – first tour hot tub, in Manchester (endless love for the Scott-tub in minus–three degrees). First headline tour, first deep tan stage dive…
Wafah: Yeah, playing to a packed-out room at La Maroquinerie in Paris supporting Bodega was a highlight, for sure. So was our show at Electric Brixton, supporting Nation Of Language and playing to nearly 2000 people. We played seventy shows in a year. Intense!
Celeste: 2022: Also the year of ‘math-goth’.
Wafah: It really was. Yeah, someone at The Guardian came to see our set at Secret Garden Party and called our sound “math-goth”, which I think describes our sound much better than postpunk. They also mentioned us ahead of so many other, bigger bands in their festival report, which we really weren’t expecting. Same with a mention we had in The Times and the write-up our Latitude set got in The Independent. Wild.
Celeste: Nothing more ‘math-goth’ (or just straight-up ‘goth’) than the dungeon at the Edinburgh venue on tour with Nation Of Language. Enough hot wax to make King Gizzard cry gothy tears joy.
Wafah: Alex on a chain, on all-fours: chic. Also, taking Nation Of Language to Wetherspoons for the first time (we all ‘got Daved’), and popping their Wikifeet cherry.
Celeste: Charlize Theron’s feet forever.
What was it like seeing the reaction to your latest EP, ‘diamond horsetail’? Felt like a really good snapshot of everything you guys do well – what was it like putting that out?
Celeste: When you’re writing and recording an EP, it’s impossible to tell how the final result’s going to connect with people, if at all – and even more so when the sound is quite leftfield – but the reactions from people who’ve been listening and from the press, in general, have been wonderful, if somewhat surreal. When people come up to us to say that certain songs from the EP have marked important times for them, it’s great to hear. Shoutout to Aesel in Copenhagen, a deep tan lyric aficionado and our mutual appreciation of Lobster Erotica.
Wafah: Yeah, when people tell us about the places in their lives they associate with the music from the EP, that’s special. It was also amazing that all our 400-coloured vinyl sold out in a day. The jury’s out on whether them coming in piss kink yellow had anything to do with it… (heh)
Everyone is excited for new music from you guys; how would you describe the music that you’re working on – what can people expect?
Celeste: We’re going trad. Some Dubliners covers, some Wolfe Tones rebel songs, but 200bpm, and speed-metal…
Wafah: (laughs) For real, though – interspecies relations and lesbian romance. Won’t be drawn further on the subject.
What plans can you reveal for what’s to come in 2023 for deep tan?
Wafah: Some exciting things; watch this space.
Celeste: Something about HR Giger? We’ve already said too much.
You’ll be playing the first Dork’s Night Out of the year, what should people expect from your set?
Celeste: Wafah’s gonna breakdance; she just told me.
Wafah: Just before we start our set, so get down early, or you’ll bloody miss it. Been rehearsing all week.
And the most important question – what’s the best pizza topping?
Celeste: Bumfluff and metal filings.
Wafah: Escargots vivants! With shells on!
deep tan play Dork’s Night Out on Friday 27th January at Colours Hoxton, London. Tickets are Sold Out, with any remaining tickets/returns available on a first-come, first-served basis via the DICE Waiting List.
