The Maccabees
"The new songs feel like both the best and most challenging songs to play."
Named after a ‘random word from the Bible’, Maccabees are one of those indie bands that are always quietly plugging away, making music that beguiles and energises. With across-the-board positive reactions to their latest album Marks To Prove It, and a sold out gig at the LCR to look forward to, guitarist Felix is on cloud nine. The band can’t wait to get out on the road to play us some of their best tracks and I asked him about collaborating with Jamie T, choosing set lists and creative decision making within the band.
One of the last times you visited Norwich, you played the Arts Centre to celebrate its crowning as Britain’s best small venue by NME/Jack Daniels. What was that show like?
It was off the back of a Kasabian support tour just before the finishing touches of making Marks to Prove It. So it was actually the first Maccabees show for a long time. There were plenty of people that couldn't get in so we’re hoping the UEA offers a bit more opportunity for everyone to get there!
You’ve played some of the venues on your upcoming tour before, including the UEA. Is it frustrating having to work your way back into the mainstream with each new album?
I think the key is to not feel like you are repeating yourself. If we were playing the same songs in the same venues to the same people it could start to feel like Groundhog Day pretty fast. As it goes, the new songs feel like both the best and most challenging songs to play and shed good perspective on what's gone before, so it feels like there are still things to achieve.
You’ve supported some big names on tour over the past couple of years – Kasabian and Mumfords to name two. Why did you choose Drenge to support you on your upcoming tour?
Because they are very good. They are some of my friends’ favourite band too so it's been a popular decision at home.
I’m a big fan of the new album and I’m very excited to hear it live. Are you excited to perform it properly?
We've been playing six tracks so far on the American tour that has preceded this. Marks to Prove It, Kamaura and Spit it Out already feel like the biggest collective moments at the shows. The next step is working out how to get some of the softer, more vulnerable moments translating live. We'd love to get album closers Pioneering Systems and Dawn Chorus into the show as that’s new ground for us.
At Glastonbury you performed Marks to Prove It with Jamie T, was is easily a contender for collaboration of the year. How did that come about?
We have known Jamie for a long time, since our very early days of playing gigs nearly ten years back. His music means a lot to us, it was just something we had talked about for a while that we could finally put together.
With four records to choose from, is it difficult putting together set lists?
The best thing about Marks to Prove It live is that somehow the songs shed positive light and perspective on everything that's gone before, which we had found hard touring Given To The Wild. It makes the balance much easier actually and has given new life to very old songs like Precious Time.
As a five piece you must have a lot of individual opinions amongst you; is it difficult to all be happy when making creative decisions like when song writing and rehearsing shows? Were there any major compromises whilst making the new album?
It is usually the hardest part and a constantly evolving thing. Over time we've learnt that having a band that has shared ownership doesn't always mean sharing every decision, especially creatively, as you go backwards or nowhere often. So the last few years have been an exercise in allowing each other the space to see ideas through as much as possible. It doesn't always work, but when it does it’s magic.
The recording of the new album was described as ‘tricky’ and ‘traumatic’, have there ever been any times you’ve been close to packing it all in?
There were moments during the record that felt like we just weren't going to get out of it with anything. But I guess sometimes you need to go there to really re-assess and work out what you are trying to achieve. I think it all was very worthwhile now, because we've made an album that I think will last. There were moments during it I'm not sure any of us were sure we were going to get there!
You’ve spoken a lot about your residency around London’s Elephant & Castle – the area that features on the cover of Marks… – and put out a documentary film recently about life there. The film focuses less on the band and more on other people in that community. Why did you choose to do that?
That was the main thing about commissioning a film that excited us. It became a subtle document of lots of different types of people trying to achieve something for themselves in the same area, at the same time but in their own way. It's healthy perspective and in turn, a celebration of the diversity within the area.
A lot of your music is huge and atmospheric but a lot is also delicate and downbeat. How much consideration do you put in to the tone of a record when you’re making it?
The detail is what often takes the longest time. This time the hardest thing to pull off was allowing the music to he exposed and honest and vulnerable where it needed to be. Our knee jerk on Given To The Wild was to make soundscapes that could mask things. So we were trying to keep some of those atmospheres but put them across in more detailed and focused ways. That can be a tricky thing to pull off. But as a result, the songs really translate in their intended form from record to stage and that was an early goal.
Something Like Happiness is a one of my favourite songs from the new record. What’s the story behind it?
It was one of the first songs for the record, which came about through the usual collision of different things we had over time. The film actually documents some of the writing of it. Lyrically it concerns being happy for someone when they've found something good.
Now on your fourth album, do you find it difficult to generate new ideas and not get stuck doing the same thing again and again?
Sometimes you have to think a bit in order to stop noticing your own 'tricks' and make music that is new to you. But I think we have more ideas now than we ever have to be honest, it's just finding a place and having the discipline to put them somewhere concise which is harder.
You announced extra London dates on your upcoming tour – currently you have three nights lined up at Brixton’s O2 Academy. Are there still nerves despite how long you’ve been doing big shows?
It quite often depends on the moment. Sometimes you are just nervous and you are not sure why. Or you can he playing a huge show and just not feel it at all. Brixton is of huge significance to us so I'm sure it will feel special.
We’re very much looking forward to your show at Norwich UEA; what can you tell us about the show you’ll be performing?
It's going to be music from across all four records. We are touring with Rebekah Raa who is playing piano and singing and Memby Jago who is an extremely talented percussionist and brass. You are always a bit in the lap of the gods buts it's our best set of songs and best we've ever been so I hope it'll be a really memorable thing.
The Maccabees play the LCR on 20th November.
