If it’s not fun what’s the point of doing it? – DROWNERS on life on the road, their latest album and what the future might hold.

It is a cold Friday evening when I’m on my way to the beloved Lexington, rushing and trying to catch my breath to make it on time for a scheduled chat with the band, just to find out that Drowners lads are running a little bit late. More like an hour late.

While warming up inside I get a chance to talk to a few people. It quickly turns out that the thrilled fans have been impatiently waiting for the doors to open for a while now. This already gives me quite an idea about what we can expect tonight. Shortly after I am finally introduced to the 2/4 of Drowners, Matthew Hitt (vocals/guitar) and Jack Ridley (guitar/BVs). After exchanging pleasantries and a few comments about multicultural London and British weather naturally, it is clear the guys are very happy to be back in the country.

Wales-via-NYC quartet has been touring in support of their sophomore album, On Desire, which was released earlier in June, and to a question – How’s it been so far? – they all respond straight away: “Amazing!”.

Yeah, it’s been great. It has been a riot – says guitarist Jack Ridley.

Most of the shows has been selling out so that’s always good – Matt Hitt adds.

As I catch them at their second to last show of this UK headline tour I simply must ask about previous gigs.

I really liked Sheffield – Matt starts.

Southampton was fun ’cause the lights kept going out for like 20 seconds – says Jack.

And there were such weird stage invasions – Matt ponders.

Sometimes weird things happen and you  just have to cope with it – Jack sums up.

Having said that means the bar has been set high for tonight’s show. What do they expect? Better question, what can we expect?

I can’t remember if it sold out the last time we played here… – Matt is trying to recall.

I don’t think it did – Jack tells.

Well, if that’s anything to go by then it’s gonna be a fucking riot.

Riot or not, it surely is going to be interesting.

Drowners have been shaking places and people for a few years now since they joined forces in summer 2011 after Matt Hitt decided to abandon his homeland and moved overseas. Adding Welsh blood to the dynamics of the NYC collective worked pretty well what resulted in releasing their debut EP, Between Us Girls, two years later.

Three tracks that landed on the EP were enough to draw some attention of people from Frenchkiss Records. Sharp and profound sound continued as they were ready to unveil their full-length debut.

Drowners‘ eponymous debut album dropped in 2014 followed by close to two years of near non-stop international touring. Having played shows all over the places let them experience great things and meet a bunch of crazy crowds. Any obvious difference between the shows in the UK and the USA?

Absolutely! It’s like a day and night. People like to have more fun here – says Jack.

Especially the Northerners – Matt ponders.

I feel like they just come down to the show and then want to take you on a night out. Whereas in the States they just go to the show and go home. Not always, but people definitely like to party here more – Jack explains.

Well, if that’s the case I’m sure there is one or two stories to share from the tour life. Anything interesting? Bizarre perhaps?

More inappropriate I think… – Jack laughs.

There’s been a lot of stage diving and crowdsurfing. It’s just slightly more riot than we’re used to – Matt tells.

But I’ve seen some insane magic tricks at the hotels by some very clever bartenders. Not that interesting but if you were there your fucking mind would have blown – Jack recalls.

I tried to start a fight with a builder ’cause he made fun out of my hair – Matt shares. I think it ended with me being discouraged from fighting this enormous man.

Yeah, the magician really stepped in. He put his witch spells on and resolved it – Jack clarifies.

We all made friends in the end – Matt concludes. It ended with us hugging it out.

I’m pretty sure there’s more gems like these situations but the guys are not so keen on revealing more. However, the tour hasn’t been over yet so they still have a lot of time to work on a few new stories.

Drowners released their long-awaited second album, On Desire, in June this year via Frenchkiss Records. Recorded and mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer (Interpol, Johnny Marr, Neon Indian), it is a compilation of measured rhythmical melodies and repetitive keys cycles enhanced by singularity of Hitt’s firm vocals. Euphonious sequences of steering guitars and urgent drumming beats come out as a substantial foundation of the band’s whole repertoire. Drowners haven’t lost their catchy indie rock tone, or their twisted and ironic lyrics, along the way, they just added a little bit of electro-pop vibes for good measure.

Through touring you find what you want to create

Now talking about the process of writing and recording On Desire, they discuss some challenges.

The biggest challenge was writing it – Matt laughs. Because we came off tour and had to start from the scratch you know. We sent each other a lot of music at the time. While we were touring the first record, we also talked about what we wanted to do on the second one.

Did it happen?

Yeah. Mostly we talked about incorporating synths, just some tempo-nerd stuff – Matt explains.

Through touring you find what you want to create so naturally your sound changes a bit. And everybody has grown as a person – says Jack.

Is there anything you would’ve changed?

I wouldn’t be so hungover all the time – Jack admits.

I lost my voice for a while so I wish that hadn’t happened. No, we worked with this producer who was fucking amazing and I think it [new album] is a really good snapshot of what we were interested in doing at the time – Matt sums up.

But we all have our faves, don’t we? And I assume all musicians love all of their children, songs that means, but are there any particular tracks these guys like a little bit more?

Wait, I don’t have any children, do I? – Jack seems confused. That’s the thing, listening to some stuff on the record versus playing it live that’s a completely different feeling.

I like playing “Troublemaker” or “Cruel Ways” because it seems that people have learnt the lyrics. They’re all kinda fun – Matt clarifies.

I like “Human Remains” a lot. But I don’t know any band that listen to themselves. You know what I mean? It’s really fun to play it live but I don’t go home and listen to it – Jack claims.

Well, actually this doesn’t convince me. I’m pretty sure a lot of bands go home and spin their tunes but no need of getting deeper into this matter.

If it’s not fun what’s the point of doing it anyway?

Let’s move on then. As mentioned earlier Drowners have been touring a lot. Four lads, plus the crew of course, can cause some troubles sometimes. Any fights?

No! – Matt answers without hesitation.

Absolutely not! – I hear from Jack.

I’ve known him (Jack) for like six years now, Erik [bass] for about five years – says Matt.

We are really respectful of each other – Jack ponders. I’ve definitely been in bands where things kicked off every night and someone always had a problem. We just try to have the most fun out of it while we can.

You spend so much time together, especially touring or writing that if it’s not fun what’s the point of doing it anyway? I wouldn’t be in a band with a bunch of dickheads – Matt concludes.

That’ll do for me. As the conversation unravels we talk some more about music and new bands but it turns out the guys are more into the good oldies.

I really like that Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam album that came out. Otherwise my playlist is kinda always the same. It’s like ABBA and Blur, and Oasis – says Matt.

It’s all the old hits but you keep finding old bands you’ve never heard of – Jack adds.

When asked what bands Jack has in mind I hear a vague answer: “I can’t tell you that ’cause it might be influential for the next record”.

Fair enough. As the time sneaks upon us, what’s next then?

After this we go to Cardiff then go to Europe for a week, and then we’re gonna go back to the cold New York winter and hopefully write some new shit – Matt tells.

Can’t wait for a little cold New York cosy vibes but I’m having much more fun here – Jack adds.

And having said that we finish off exactly how we began, which means a good old weather talk.

I think here is colder than New York. – says Matt.

It was like 80°F in New York the other day. Insane! – Jack adds.

But I might be just under dressed – Matt sums up.

Photos: Kasia Osowiecka