“We’ve found the sound that has become COASTS and we’ve become the musicians we needed to be” COASTS on their UK headline tour.

I’ve been struggling, you know. How can I possibly start this piece? I mean, every beginning I considered seems like an understatement.

But let me tell you what happened.

The thing is that most bands tear my heart apart. And rip my soul. And crush my bones. Then smash it all together and scatter all over the place. In lack of better words this is what usually happens.

Only this time it’s quite different. Imagine my surprise when I actually found some pieces lying around. This next band has given something back, something that’s been missing for a while. And it feels just fine.

I catch up with the band COASTS on their UK tour, just after the release of their new track You and just after they played sold out show at the legendary Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London. So as you can see, a lot has been going on.

The tour has been really good – Chris Caines, the lead singer of the band, starts. Shepherd’s Bush was incredible. Definitely, one of our best headline shows.

One of our biggest ever headline shows – David Goulbourn (keys) adds.

Ben Street (Drums), Chris Caines (Vocals), David Goulbourn (Keys), James Gamage (Bass)

Liam Willford (Guitar)

Since forming in Bristol, in 2011, this five-piece definitely can’t complain about boredom. Starting with the release of their first single Stay the following year and the debut Paradise EP in 2013, through dropping song after song, being named iTunes band to watch in 2014, going from playing the Barfly in London to smashing Lollapalooza, BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend, Coachella and Glastonbury (if I’m to mention just a few).. Shall I go on? It appears that there’s no way of stopping them. And all is heading towards a highly anticipated debut album. Doing quite alright boys!

We only played Barfly two years ago – Chris comments.  I don’t know if it appears like that but it’s been quite like a gradual progression, not like a quick jump.

But the progression comes in different stages – Ben Street (drums) explains. It’s not like suddenly you click your fingers and OMG we’re playing Empire. It all sort of comes relative but Shepherd’s Bush was special.

And we had confetti cannons! – James Gamage (bass) adds to that.

After touring North America, with summer festival season being over, the band is busy on their UK headline tour. I’m pretty sure Coasts have many amazing stories to share.

Glastonbury was pretty special – Chris begins. We played on John Peel Stage this year and that was a big moment.

Playing KOKO in London was our first proper big venue and our first proper big headline show – David continues. It was amazing. Have you ever been to KOKO? Anywhere you look, there are people and from the stage it looks so good.

Before that we played Heaven and Scala – James says. They all kind of normal size venues but KOKO certainly had that wow factor to it. Shepherd’s Bush was just bigger KOKO, I guess.

There’s always a lot of comparisons and a lot of hype around summer festivals. I want to keep some of that sunny weather so I ask about the difference between the greatest two.

The weather! – I hear from James [but of course – how British!].

They’re massively different – Chris states. The whole vibe and the atmosphere of the festival is completely different. Coachella definitely feels more posey, I’d say.

A lot of people just go there for the after party – Ben says. It’s like a celeb fest.

Week 1 of Coachella is basically everyone on their Instagram the whole time – David adds. Whilst Glastonbury – everyone’s there to just have a good time and they don’t care what they wear. Everyone will get muddy anyway. Glastonbury is the best festival in the world.

I much prefer Glastonbury but Coachella was incredible – Chris says.

To go to them all really makes it easier – James adds. Because people say that all the time that it is the best one. But when you’re there you can see why.

I think Reading was good as well – Ben recalls. Obviously, Glastonbury was more of a landmark event but the crowd at Reading was awesome and really up for it. And Scotland as well..

T in the Park was crazy! – James comments. Probably one of the smallest stages but everyone went crazy. You know, it does change quite a bit depending on where you go.

This whole tour has been really good – Chris mentions at the end. The reaction we’ve had it’s been like a massive step up from where we’ve been before. It’s been great.

I believe we can all agree at this point that Coasts are smashing life right now. But what has changed since that 2011? How have they evolved?

Sort of slicker, a bit sexier – Ben answers before I even get to finish the question.

We’re essentially still the same people – Chris clarifies. Just five mates…

Nothing feels that different between us really – James adds.

I guess this whole operation has got a bit more professional – David says.

Yes, we’re a better band – Chris explains. We’re a better live band. We’ve been having really good live shows. That’s just improved.

What about the way you work together? Has your songwriting process changed?

Yes, in the past three/four years it has – Chris says. When we started the band we were all living together in Bristol. We used to do it in a much different way when we were going in the studio. We used to work on a song from the scratch. But then we had to move away because we started touring so we couldn’t afford to live all in the same place. Now we live all over the places so we usually work on a laptop at home and send the material to each other. It’s changed in that sense.

It works though – David clarifies. It’s a lot more focus now and we came back the musicians.

We spent nearly two years just being in one room for like five days a week – James adds. Just playing from morning till evening, non stop. We needed that at the time to become the musicians we needed to be, to be where we are today.

We found the type of music we want to play – David says. We came out quite naturally, we found the sound that has become COASTS from doing that.

Any fights?

We nearly had a couple but nothing serious – Ben starts. Normally, all is down just before the fists start.

We used to have more arguments when we lived together than we do now – James explains. It doesn’t really happen any more and if it does it lasts for about two minutes.

I meet the band two days after the release of the new track You. Obviously, I wonder – What is it about? Who is it about? You can listen to the song below.

It is about us wanting to get here but it’s also about us wanting to prove that we’re good enough – Chris explains. Essentially, it’s all about our fans.

The self titled debut album was initially set for release in September this year. Produced by Mike Spencer (Rudimental), Mark Crew (Bastille), Eliot James (Two Door Cinema Club) and Fraser T. Smith (Adele, Sam Smith) definitely causes a  lot of buzz around the band. You can easily count me in to that anxious fan base restlessly waiting for it to arrive. Can I please, have it already? Meanwhile, the group discusses the reasons behind postponing the release date.

It was really a positive thing – Chris explains. We had that album finished, it was ready to go. Our label decided to put it back because things were going really well at the radio and people were getting up on it. We just wanted the album to have as much impact when is released as it possibly can do.

We’d love to have it out now – James says. But just because of the way things were by the time of the release all just escalated so much.

Yeah, we’ve just been building up expectations – Ben adds.

If you had to describe it in one word what would it be?

One word? – Chris asks.

Just one? – I hear from James

Alright, I’ll give you two [and fyi here starts probably the best part of the interview].

No, one’s cool! One is better – James agrees.

Anthemic is such a good description – Ben continues. People are gonna remember the big songs..

Uplifting maybe.. – David considers.

Yeah.. but then there’s… – James thinks.

Undulating – Ben decides. It goes up and then comes down again.

There are many words that can describe it – Chris says.

An onion! – James seems to find the perfect word. Just an onion with many layers. And it will make you cry as well.

And all agree on that. I’ll have it! All happy? Great.

Do you listen to a lot of music whilst on tour? Who’s on your playlist?

Yes, we try to listen to the new music as much as possible, really – Chris replies. The track “Parking Lot” by VANT is like the song of this tour.

We listen to a lot of hip – hop eg. Drake, Joey Bada$$ – David adds.

We have a playlist that we play before some shows – Chris mentions. And we played it before Shepherd’s Bush. Mainly it consists of American hip – hop.

But it’s all songs we love – James says. That playlist was pretty much the music we have to get us ready for the gig. Hopefully.

Alright, name one song that could be the soundtrack to your life. To that very moment of your life right now [and here my darlings starts even more interesting part of the interview].

After some struggle I get the first picks.

DJ Khaled “Gold Slugs” – Ben decides. I even get a few lines of the chorus but as agreed I’m not quoting that. For me the song that I’ve been listening to over and over again as well is “Josephine” by Ritual. It’s lovely. So moving. But Fetty Wap for you probably [pointing at David].

David is a Trap Queen – Chris says.

He is a queen – James explains.

Maybe scratch this one as well. I think for all of us is just “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper – Ben figures out the one. We all just want to have fun.

Yeah, it’d have to be this one – James agrees.

Or “The Hills” by The Weeknd. – David says.

“The Boys Are Back In Town” – Chris makes up his mind.

“Let’s Go Surfing” by The Drums that’d be me – James adds at the end. Makes a lot of sense.

It seems like the list could never end. The guys start humming some songs and we chat a bit more but I can feel my time is up. I still have so many questions I want to ask! The band needs to warm up before the show though and all I can think is Can I please stay forever?! Of course not. But a girl can dream, can’t she? Alright, enough of my whining. Let’s talk some serious stuff – music obviously and move to the more interesting part which is the actual show. This is why we all are here for, isn’t it?

Tonight Coasts play Concorde 2 in Brighton. Despite the venue being rather smaller size it’s still so hard to squeeze in closer to the stage. You can feel the tension and excitement in the air. Ah! How I love this feeling! Anyhow, I wander around, take a few pictures and chat to some people. And let me tell you, everyone is so hyped! After O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire it is amazing to experience more intimate show. I’ve always preferred smaller venues I guess, the connection between the artist and the audience is just thrilling.

Coasts kick off with electric guitar riffs of Wallow and go through catchy keys in Your Soul to the absolute banger Modern Love. No matter the size of the venue, Coasts have got hypnotizing stage presence. So charismatic and comfortable performing all together. All that hits me when the new single You is being played. Plus the lyrics seem to be very accurate right now. Their tropical sound scatters across Let Go and Tonight to which I start singing along. It is impossible to not dance to that track. Feels like this song was designed to fit into this particular moment in time and space. The smallest venues are the loudest.

However, let’s slow down a little bit to the beauty which is Wash Away but just for a sec. Life is too short for slow songs. I probably lose it with A Rush Of Blood which is probably my favourite. That was the one for me. You always remember the song that changes it all. The one that seems to be about you and seems to be written for you. Oh it’s just occurred to me. Going back to the previous question – this one may be the soundtrack to my life right now. What an easy answer. How come I couldn’t figure it out back then? It is so me! Anyway, the set ends with the summery vibes of Oceans which is the crowd’s favourite, I’d say. Considering the fact that we’re at the sea right now this song couldn’t be more suitable to finish it off with.

So I guess this is it. For now though. Seeing you around guys! This I can promise. Plus those hugs are staying with me like forever! Oh come on, give me a break. I have to fangirl from time to time.

The debut album Coasts is set for release on January 22 next year. Meanwhile, the rumour has it the music video for the single You is on the way and it may or may not include a live footage from the tour and some karaoke action.