Indie starlets, Peace, head to Newcastle this month as part of Hit the North Festival, so Laura Sanderson caught up with the band to find out what festival-goers can expect.
Why did you choose to call the new album, ‘Kindness is the new Rock and Roll’?
It came very naturally. We had written the song and we really felt like kindness is the new rock ‘n’ roll between us and the people around us. It just sounded like a great album title. I like how divisive it is: people either say: “why would you call an album that?” or people are like: “this is the best album title”.
What were your inspirations whilst making it?
Songwriting is kind of like photography for the ears; it’s like I’m taking a snapshot of a moment whether it’s about myself or the world. There’s not too much photoshopping on it as I don’t paint and create – I just see things and take a snapshot of it. I think the inspiration is always me or the world or other people.
It’s been a while since you last performed in the North East…are you looking forward to coming back to perform at Meet the North in Newcastle?
I am desperately looking forward to it. I always say this but with the exception of Denver in Colorado, Newcastle is my favourite place in the UK and therefore the best in the world. I really love it there and I’m really looking forward to kicking off the tour there. Last time we played in the North East we were in Middlesbrough and that was the best gig of our career according to Doug Castle who said he an outer body experience on stage.
What’s your favourite thing about performing live?
It’s like a very intense break from real life – you can’t think about anything else that’s going on outside of it. It’s the same as when you watch music when you go to a gig; you get a good clean two hours where nothing else can get in. It all just kind of disappears in the music and I think that’s my favourite thing about the live music experience.
Will there be a lot of your new songs on the setlist?
I think so. It’s important to play old stuff too because we are proud of what we have done. We do want to treat the new album as a body of work that is important and not just play the three singles off it. We might just have to start doing really long sets like Bruce Springsteen. I don’t know whether people would enjoy it but maybe we should try it out.
Which songs are you most looking forward to playing live?
I’m really looking forward to playing a song called ‘Silverlined’ because Doug does a really wild big guitar break and I think it’ll sound really awesome live. I think that will be a big live moment – I’m looking forward to getting that one out. Also, a song called ‘Shotgun Hallelujah’ which everyone on our end is saying will be a live favourite.
What else has Peace got planned for 2018?
We’re basically going through the festival season and then we are just discussing at the moment for afterwards but we would ideally like to save the world and have a great time doing it.
Peace plays Hit the North in Newcastle which takes place between Friday 4th and Sunday 6th May. For ticket information and more please head to hitthenorthfestival.co.uk and Facebook.com/hitthenorthfestival.
