It is all about little victories that you have the whole time – the band VITAMIN look back at the past and hope for the future.

A few hours before VITAMIN‘s set, in the hustle and bustle of The Great Escape, I was lucky enough to catch 2/4 of the band for a quick chat. Despite barely arriving at the festival, still fresh – not like many of us who were struggling a little bit on that last day of this great adventure, they showed all signs of passion and excitement about the evening.

We’ve just got back from the venue and it’s huge! – says Jared Laville, the frontman of the band. That will be fun. I want to stick around and see some bands, especially Mystery Jets. I just caught them doing soundcheck and it looked really great. They are a band I listened to when I was really young but never saw them at that time so that will be really cool to see.

I really want to see a band called St. Lucia – Harry Smith, the bassist, states.

And Craig David – Jared adds. But that was on Friday night, wasn’t it?

VITAMIN, four school mates Jared Laville (vocals), Cameron Fraser (guitar), Harry Smith (bass) and Theo Cookson (drums), are one of those bands who easily cast away all your winter blues and sorrows. I am fully aware it is June already but believe me, it doesn’t feel like it over here. So as I said, the cure for all misery.

Blending upbeat guitar riffs and melodic bass lines, adding vigorous percussion and colourfully vibrant vocals VITAMIN form a fresh and infectious version of electro-pop. Putting their unmissable and sublime aesthetics on top of that makes them certainly stand out in the musical landscape. And they will not fade away any time soon.

Their latest single Waterfall will certainly get you up on your feet. Catchy rhythms and dynamic sequences will make you feel like the summer is just around the corner and that it will never end. Plus, you wouldn’t be able to get those lyrics out of you head even if you wanted to. The guys gave some insights into the song and recently released music video.

The song is kind of about putting yourself in a situation you feel uncomfortable about but still going with it – Jared explains. Going past that wall you have put in front of yourself, like going over the wall and being released in a way. The video represents that juxtaposition of feelings.

It hasn’t been long since this Leeds four-piece emerged on the music scene with debut Giving It Up EP (August 2015). It also didn’t take them long to drop the next one – To Believe EP (November 2015). As it appears, they seem to possess an endless potential to create top hits but that does not mean they stray from any experimentations with the sound.

Of course, it changes from song to song – the singer explains. It changes as we listen to new music, as we write new music. Things come out when you discover new things and you’re gonna put that across your sound. I suppose, the thing that has changed the most is probably our songwriting process. The ambition of songwriting has increased a lot more recently than when we first started. 

Looking back at their triumphant achievements and fast growing fan base, it appears that the decisions they have made were the right ones. Dropping out of college to follow their dreams has led to signing the record deal. As the new addition to National Anthem family (CHVRCHES, Haim) VITAMIN have proved that it takes some time, hard work and a lot of effort, and a couple of tougher choices too for dreams to come true. But they do.

What has been the highlight so far?

It depends really – Harry recalls. There have been loads of different things like milestones leading up to this, gradually building more and more. But Reading and Leeds festival last year was amazing. That was special to us. And just being signed. It’s every kid’s dream, you know. Yes, these are mine two. 

I think for me it’s all about little victories that you have the whole time – Jared adds. That eventually leads up to the big picture. Doing a gig when you feel connected to all those people. That for me feels like a very special moment.

Four lads living and touring together might cause some troubles and make a lot of mess sometimes. So I wonder, any fights?

No, no fights. When we started a band we didn’t live together but now we do. I suppose, we’ve become like four married people. Whatever happens in a marriage, happens. Sometimes we argue and there’s a little bit of kissing – they laugh.

Plenty to look for. What’s next then?

We’ve got some festivals over the summer – the bassist says. And we’ve just announced a tour with Kaiser Chiefs so that’s gonna be insane. Big stages, big crowds.

Then we’ll carry on writing and recording to get our album all together and have everything in place – the frontman sums up.

And I believe it’s fair to say we cannot wait to see and hear more from these guys. With their charismatic stage presence and energetic tracks which translate perfectly into live sets there is no other future but the successful one waiting for them.

Photo: Kasia Osowiecka