Fresh from a bumper few months touring with The Xcerts, Good Cop Bad Cop and Kaiser Chiefs, Novacub – the new band from Bloc Party guitarist Russell Lissack, along with Louise Bartle, Iona Thomas and Tony Alda – have just joined the bill for 2000trees. It marks one of the group’s first festival sets and arrives alongside a not-quite-announce-yet new EP. Russell and Louise fill us in.
What have you been up to so far this year, are you super busy?
Russell: I’d say we are moderately busy. So far this year, we’ve toured with The Kaiser Chiefs, The Xcerts and Good Cop Bad Cop, released two singles and have written a lot more.
How were your tour dates, are you finding your feet live?
Russell: They were great! The Kaiser tour, in particular, was really good because we were on the road together for several weeks for the first time. It really felt like we were able to take our live show to the next level, and it was so cool to see how their audience responded to us.
Louise: It was my first time fronting a band on tour, and I absolutely loved it. Playing songs that we’ve written over the last two years was magical, and a feeling I’d never experienced before – so yeah it was really special to me.
You guys have just been confirmed for 2000trees, is it a festival any of you have played or been to before?
Louise: I haven’t, but I’m really looking forward to maybe playing in front of people who don’t know who we are…
Russell: I have not been before, but I’ve heard it’s a really nice location, so I’m looking forward to seeing that!
Is there anyone on the line-up you’re looking forward to catching?
Louise: Yonaka for sure.
Russell: Yes, I’d like to see Yonaka, and hopefully I can catch up with my friends in Pulled Apart by Horses and Get Cape…
What’s key to a good festival set, do you think?
Russell: It depends… for established acts people tend to want to hear more of the songs they are familiar with. For a new act like us, I think you need to grab peoples’ attention – so we’ll be bringing high energy and megaphones.
Louise: I agree with Russell – we wanna bring energy and make a good impression on people who don’t know us. It’s an opportunity to showcase what the band is about, so that’s what we’ll be doing!
How do you prepare for long stints on the road touring?
Louise: I get my pink boiler suit washed, dried and ironed – haha! Oh, and try not to forget my toothbrush, which I’ve done too many times.
Russell: Phone charger and protein bars.
We hear you have a new EP on the way too, what can you tell us about it?
Russell: That’s right! We’re still finalising the tracklisting as we speak, but it’s definitely going to have some bangers on there, while showing the many flavours of Novacub. There should be a physical vinyl release too, which will be really cool.
Where do you lot spend your time writing and recording, do you have a regular space?
Russell: We’re a bit all over the place tbh…. we all live quite spread out (London, Wales and Essex) so we’ve ended up doing things at various locations… The Rattle in London have been very hospitable to us though, so a big shout out to them!
Are there any particular lyrical themes you guys are drawn to?
Louise: I like being honest in my lyrics. I’ve found that my best work comes from connecting to my feelings. Whenever I need to have a vent, writing music and words is very cathartic for me.
What else do you have coming up over the summer?
Louise: Good question… putting more MUSIC out, writing new music (always) and doing a few shows here and there! Help us spread the word, guys.
2000trees takes place from 11th-13th July at Upcote Farm. Visit twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk for more info.
