Life is a rollercoaster right now – BEACH BABY end their headline tour with a statement.

Beach Baby are many things. A summery mix of catchy and vigorous guitars, dynamic drums and immense bass lines, with a firm charisma and idiosyncratic vocals easily embracing the notes. All that makes their version of alternative-pop eminently listenable and they are certainly “ones to watch” in the near future. Beyond and long after that.

I caught up with London-based four-piece on the last day of their UK headline tour. I’d liked them so much I even decided to leave London for a day and pay them a visit in a different town. When I was making my way up to Guildford’s very own The Boileroom I’d have many expectations, a few doubts and some burning questions.

As it turned out Beach Baby are even more things than I’d expected. Also, Hawaiian shirts are no more.

Making my introduction and interrupting time for some local curry I try to find out more about the highlights of the tour so far.

London was pretty great because it was our hometown show – says Lawrence (vocal / guitar). Sold out gig at The Lexington. But I really enjoyed Liverpool, Southampton, Bristol… They all were pretty good. We are always pleasantly surprised when people come down to see us.

Yeah, I’ll go with that – adds Ollie (vocal / guitar). It’s great seeing people coming to our shows for the first time.

While we’re on a tour matter let’s dig into it a little bit more. The band share their philosophy as well as some food / drink tips. Any favourites?

This is pretty good – says Ollie whilst pointing at the curry.

Avocado – Shep (drums) adds. And cheeseburgers.

Yes, fresh fruits and vegetables – Ollie continues. It’s all about yin and yang, isn’t it? It’s all about cheeseburgers but you need to balance it out with an apple.

One apple, one cheeseburger – Lawrence sums up.

You might think a food issue is the complicated one but it gets more peculiar when the guys start to talk about drinks. I get a few recommendations, a few beer brands are said to not be that great, we even discuss some Polish goodies as Ollie gives me a recipe for a cocktail: Fill a glass with ice, add a lot of vodka (grass one) and a little bit of tonic, and lemon rind twisted in. Well, this certainly sounds very me. I’m definitely going to try it out soon.

Indeed, an interesting start of the conversation. Wonder what comes next…

Lawrence popped his shoulder out yesterday – Ollie unveils more stories from their tour life.

Yes, I dislocated my shoulder – Lawrence explains. It just came out and then I dropped to the floor screaming in agony. This poor guy [Ollie] totally panicked. But then Shep came along, lifted my arm and it got back in.

I’d never done that before – Shep states. It felt good.

But obviously that’s not all. There’s some story about breaking Shep’s parents’ bed and something about nearly getting knocked out in Newcastle. As they say It’s been a lot of fun and a lot of jokes. Stuff happens but we need to keep it to ourselves.

Fair enough. No more asking about it then.

This new addition to Island Records family emerged on the music scene as Beach Baby only last year but since then they’ve been dropping single after single and playing sold out shows across the country. The band go way back and as it turns out there’s mostly a firm affection among them.

I used to really like Ollie when I first met him – Lawrence ponders. But now.. I don’t know what’s happened. No, it’s been good. Ollie and I have known each other for ages. We were mates at Uni and we’ve been touring quite a lot so we’re used to spending time together, sharing beds and that. It’s pretty solid.

Just small fights – Ollie cuts in.

No physical ones – Lawrence adds to that.

As you can see their bond is pretty strong. But what about working in the studio? Any changes?

It changes from time to time, from song to song – says Ollie. Sometimes we work on new music collaboratively, sometimes Lawrence and I are doing some things, sometimes Shep writes a killer drum beat. There is no formula. 

Life has been great so I reckon there must be one song that could truly reflect their current moods. One song that would land on the soundtrack of their lives.

You know what I actually have got a playlist on my phone called ‘Ollie Pash the movie’ – the singer recalls. I’m not kidding so I can actually look it up.

Is that your own idea? – Lawrence asks. There’s a little bit of vanity to that bro. But that’s really interesting insight. When did you do that?

Yeah, it goes like this: The Brian Jonestown Massacre “What You Isn’t” for the opening scene – Ollie leads us through the plot. Then “L.A. Woman” by The Doors and “Shadowplay” by Joy Division. For the romantic scene “Beast Of Burden” by The Rolling Stones and The Beatles “Bad Boy” for the party scene. Then some contemplative scene with “Wild Imagination” by Kurt Vile. I don’t know what scene is this but next one is Arthur Russell and “Planted A Thought”. Then The Flamingos “I Only Have Eyes For You” for some sort of a redemption. I think the movie ends with John Lennon “Stand By Me”.

Pretty impressive I must say. All you need now is a script and a cast.

The band consider more options. While Jack (bass) appears to be the most indecisive one Shep go straight for Naive Melody by Talking Heads. Lawrence, on the other hand, can’t make up his mind and go from Lou Reed Vicious to Life is a Rollercoaster by Ronan Keating. A little mood swinging.

Yes, because life is a rollercoaster right now – he says.

And they all start to hum and sing along. We talk some more about music preferences and then I decide to make a little mess and play a mean game. I send each of them to a desert island with only one member of the band.

What?! You can’t ask that question – I hear from Lawrence.

I think it doesn’t really matter because whoever you go with you’ll end up killing and eating them – Ollie gives a very logical answer. Just someone with fully legs.. [as he considers Shep] we’d be friends for a bit and then..

I’m gonna hurt someone’s feelings – says Shep. That’s why you’ve done it, haven’t you? You want to cause a tension in a band. Lawrence, who you’re going with?

I’m not taking part in this game – he states.

I’d take Shep because he’s a top block and then I could eat him – Jack decides.

I object! – says the drummer.

I’ve said it – Ollie sticks to his first pick. I’m taking Shep for food.

I’d take Ollie because we go through similar moods together – Shep claims. We’d be angry together and then we’d chill out. We’d do each other heads but we’d do it at the same time.

Sounds awful – Ollie responds.

But then Lawrence is very diplomatic… – Shep seems to be considering another choice.

Lawrence who are going with? – Ollie asks.

I objected.

Oh come on! Play a game – says Shep. Finish it. Say the name.

You [Shep] wouldn’t take me, would you? So I’m taking Ollie.

Yes! I’m a big winner. Man of the day – Ollie concludes.

Beach Baby released music video for their latest track Lost Soul which represents the moment when you feel like a spectator in your own life, and are struggling to find a purpose. Intrigued? Watch it below!

It’s been lovely but what happens next?

We’ve got lots of summer festivals coming up. The Reading and Leeds are the the big ones. The autumn will be a busy time for us. The band give some hints about possible new tunes releases, an album perhaps, some touring overseas. As they say It’s all up in the air. It’s very exciting time for us.

Beach Baby will perform at The Great Escape Festival next week and a few summer festivals after that. As for the rest, I think it’s fair to say we cannot wait.

Photo: Ezra H. Rollinson