Four piece Leeds band Vitamin are about to set off on an intense UK tour next month. One of their gigs will include their hometown and it’s a show not be missed. So, we caught up with them to get the lowdown on upcoming gigs at The Brudenell and Live at Leeds, new music and their influences.
By Jane Howkins
You’re embarking on an extensive UK tour in April, are you excited? Anywhere you’re particularly looking forward to be heading?
Yeah totally, this is the beginning of our touring stint for the year and it’s been a while since the last one, so I’m itching to be out there. Great Escape in Brighton this year is shaping up to be a big one, can’t argue with a beach in summer right?
You’re playing at The Brudenell in Leeds on the 23rd April, and you’re based in the area. Do you enjoy playing up here?
I live up the road! It’s one of our many ‘second homes’ in Leeds. Whenever we gig there I’ll always invite the crowd back to ours for a party, so anyone that comes on the 23rd, consider your attendance your invitation!
What do you think of the local music scene? It seems to be quite a creative place?
Leeds is a great city to grow up as a creative and it’s quite easy to forget that, or even take it for granted growing up here. We’ve always been supported by Leeds and for us as a fledging band there were vast amounts of opportunities that have essentially lead us to where we are now.
Are there any other acts from the area you recommend people check out?
We have a load of mates around Leeds everyone should go check, Krrum, Polo, Actor, NGOD and Marsicans, to name a few. Towards the back end of last year we invited some of the above to play with us at our Brothers and Sisters club night, which we actually held at the Brudenell.
You’re also playing Live at Leeds at the end of April, how did that come about? Are you pleased to have been asked to represent the city?
Live at Leeds means a lot to us. It’s the first festival I ever went to, I would have been about 13 at the time. So to be asked to come and play and represent the city is special to me.
What more can you tell us about Live at Leeds? Is there anyone else playing you recommend people go and see?
We’ve just come off a short tour with Clean Cut Kid. I’m saying they’re the next Fleetwood Mac, totally worth checking out! Also go check out Girl friend, some mates of ours from Manchester.
Who/What would you say are most influenced by as a band? Who are some of your favourite bands/artists?
My biggest inspiration in music and art is honesty, so for me an artist like Bjork embodies that. Her voice, lyrics, artwork just all feel like they come from such an deeply truthful place and her voice is something else. To me she is a perfect example of a true artist.
Do you have any plans to release any new music this year, perhaps a full length record?
We’re going to be releasing music throughout the rest of the year. The next single is an amazing track of ours called ‘Waterfall’ it’s our set closer at the moment and I can’t wait for people to hear it. Our record is in the oven, we’re perfectionists so we’re not rushing anything, but it is coming and it’s going to be big.
How do you find the writing process? What sort of things do you like to write about?
For me the most potent feelings in songwriting come from a sense of true achievement you feel when you’ve written a song that honestly evokes a real emotion, or when you whole heartedly believe in a song and where it could go. And getting (or not getting) those types of feelings from songs deeply affects me, if the music’s good, then I’m good.
Why do you think people should come and see you, and what can people expect from one of your shows?
I want all of our gigs to feel like a party, and who doesn’t want to come to a party?
Any last words for the fans?
Come to a show, become a Brother and Sister!! <3
Vitamin are playing at The Brudenell, Leeds on Saturday 23 April 2016