The band EVERYWHERE on places, people and music that keeps them coming back to London.

A while back, when days were longer and summer was still around, I caught up with 2/5 of the band Everywhere, Max Berga (vocals) and Joe Bates (keys), to discuss their recent single, the group’s progression and get some insights into their touring life.

As they go on a small trip before their show to spin some tunes at the Shoreditch Radio (which surprisingly is not located in Shoreditch) we exchange a few thoughts on the city and its multi-nationality. The band comprises of British, French and Swedish blood so they know some bits and pieces about it.

I’ve been coming back here for the last couple of years – says Max. I’m not really missing Sweden.

London music scene is great – Joe ponders. It’s got everything, every genre, every nationality.

Everywhere emerged on music scene with debut single Eddie in 2013. Since then their tracks have hit a million streams bar on the services such as YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify.

Now, three years later and after minor regrouping the guys discuss the significance of their evolution.

You know, back then it was different line-up because we were living in Sweden – Max starts. Then I moved here. I think we’ve evolved in a certain way. The music has become more pop since we started out.

There is more space in the sound too – Joe continues. I get to play around with synths more.

We worked a lot with an American producer and he put that American sound on it, a pop type – Max sums up.

Generally, bands are not fond of labels being put on them. This is why talking about genres is not an easy thing to do. However, how did it work out for you guys? Do you feel that perhaps you lost something on the way?

Kind of – says Max. But we never go into the studio with this idea of doing something specific. We sort of let the song dictate which direction it wants us to take.

And you can kind of hear that sound – Joe explains. There’s a link between the songs, it’s not a concrete link but there’s a sound world the EP works in.

Everywhere‘s sophomore EP is due for release later this month and it will feature their latest single, Some Other Dude. New collection of songs was recorded in London, Los Angeles and Stockholm with a help from a few producers, including Mark Needham (The Killers).

We’re in the process of  finishing it up – the singer says. We’ll have four songs on it plus a bonus track and it should be out later this month. Every single track is basically about an evil ex lover.

A particular one? – I wonder.

Different ones – Max clarifies.

I think that’s too negative – Joe adds. But yes, it’s primarily about Max’s sins. That’s the main theme.

How the rest of the band is feeling about it?

It’s a pretty good fun – Joe laughs. I really enjoy revelling in Max’s sin. No, no, I think they’re really fun night tracks. That’s partly because one of them is called “Shades At Night” and it’s kind of for listening at 11:30 pm. “Some Other  Dude” is more about not regretting stuff..

It’s about those lost moments when we had a chance to love but it slipped away – Max quickly adds.

The band has gone through some changes within the line-up in the past. They’re also a gathering of British, French and Swedish temperaments. Being on tour all together must be quite something. Any quarrels then?

Of course, there are a few arguments, especially with Brits here.. – Max laughs.

I guess we can tell a Glasgow story – Joe responds quickly. Not so funny at the time but  funny in retrospect. So there’s 15 people playing at that night and we’re just all sitting there and drinking beer. It’s 15 mins before the show and the room is empty. Suddenly everybody turns up. Boom, the room is full, we have a huge night. Max here has more drinks than he usually does because he’s a massive bloody lightweight and kindly agrees to go home early with all of the kit. We had a great night out. Very amusing watching French people understand Glasgow accent. Joe (bass) and I head home at 3 am and we ring the door bell. Nothing. We try Max’s phone. Nothing. We throw stones at the window. Nothing. We managed to check in to a hotel but guys that followed were doing it the French way – screaming until the neighbours called the police. Somebody came down and open for them but they spent the night in the stairwell.

So yes, a little bit of drama – Max adds. I got really bad Airbnb reference after that.

Our only touring drama really – says Joe. We get on well.

Around the time Everywhere dropped their debut EP, American Grandeur (Nov 2013), they made an appearance at the NME Awards in the UK sharing the stage with Django Django and Palma Violets. After that, they joined Kaiser Chiefs on tour and played a headlining show at London’s Notting Hill Arts Club.

Surely not a bad start for a young band. But what do they consider a highlight?

We played some nice shows for NME,  we supported Kaiser Chiefs, we went to the USA and recorded our first EP. And the tour of course – says Max.

Actually that Glasgow gig was really fun – Joe decides after a while. We had some really fun gigs and it’s been a fun process.

My time is running out as the guys have to get going to the show soon. What’s next in the near future then?

We’ll be gigging in London a lot – says Joe. We want to get to know London a bit better and get London to know us a bit better. At the moment it’s about building up our following and we’ve got it all over the world to be fair. It is wicked, really cool to see.

We actually had a girl from Japan coming down to the show – Max ponders. But yes, now the main focus is on touring and planning shows for next year.