During their time at Y Not Festival, Jon Hague and Benedict Watson were able to speak with Felix Bushe from the band Gengahr, and asked all about the festival and their new album Red Sun Titans, which was released back in June.
We’ve enjoyed the new album Red Sun Titans, and the title track is all about climate change -
how do you feel the music industry can help to tackle climate change?
Felix: It’s a very good question, it’s a tricky one especially for bands that are starting out. A lot of the natural momentum that comes is from playing a lot of shows so naturally that involves a lot of travelling around. The growth of the internet and how streaming happens now means that we don’t have to necessarily do everything through live music but I think it is a huge part of the industry. Stopping touring isn’t really an option I don’t think, I think certainly the guys at the top end doing arena tours is where the serious damage is really being made, that’s where I think you have to look at perhaps using more local things, not travelling round with seven trucks when you can probably make do with rented equipment which lives on the doorstep. I think at grassroots level, everything is being done that can be done pretty much at this point.
What’s your favourite song off the new album?
Felix: I like The Interview, we haven’t played it live yet. We’ve just started playing Heels To The Moon which is feeling good. In The Moment is one of my favourite songs on the record as well.
But there’s a lot, it’s probably the longest album I’ve written so plenty to pick from. For me what’s more important is I’m getting a sense of what everyone else likes hearing, we’re trying to build things up in anticipation of the UK headline tour and the European tour starting in September, so we’re at that point now where we’re starting to pick the songs we’re going to be playing for that.
The album has three interludes in it, what was your reasoning behind that?
Felix: I think it was a sense of respite mostly, to stop you having to listen to me for the best part of an hour straight. We just wanted to have some moments that were like palate-cleansers really, some of it is also to act as a segue into different moods so it doesn’t feel quite so jarring. In terms of genre/vibe, it changes quite a bit through the record so having something to smooth those transitions out felt like it would be quite useful.
Are you happy with the reception that the new album has got?
Felix: I’m never happy, you’ve always got to demand more and ask more of yourself. I think if you’re not doing that then you’re not growing. I’m happy enough, maybe, but we’re always wanting more.
What was it like to work with Jack Steadman from Bombay Bicycle Club on your third album
Felix: Jack’s amazing, he is a very special person. I feel very lucky to have worked with him and also to have him as a friend. There’s not many people like Jack. That relationship we had making that record was very easy. It helps if you know someone beforehand but I didn’t know how it would work in a creative context. He does a very good job of not being overly hands-on, when he’s doing his own
stuff he’s doing everything, so I was pleasantly surprised by how nurturing he was as a presence
rather than overbearing.
"I’m never happy [with the music's reception], you’ve always got to demand more and ask more of yourself. I think if you’re not doing that then you’re not growing."
How did the negotiations work between you and the festival to work out which slot you were
going to play?
Felix: I don’t think there’s any negotiation to be honest, as long as it works for us, then we’re keen. We love playing festivals, it’s great fun, especially festivals like Truck and Y Not, the crowd are so good, you don’t feel like you need to win anyone over, the energy is there from the start.
Is there more music in the works already?
Felix: I’ve been having a bit of a break, it always takes a lot out of you making a record. I’ll get these festivals out of the way and then that’s when it will start to happen. I’ve just started thinking now, that’s the beginning.
Quickfire Questions
What’s your favourite festival to play?
Felix: Glastonbury
The Strokes or Arctic Monkeys?
Felix: The Strokes
What’s the best gig you’ve been to?
Felix: Pixies supported by Bombay Bicycle Club
What’s your favourite country to tour?
Felix: Australia
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?
Felix: A carpenter
Our final question is, if you were a fruit, which fruit would you be, and why?
Felix: Passion fruit because I’ve got immense passion.
Thank you very much to Felix from Gengahr for his time!
Jon Hague and Benedict Watson
Edited by Tabitha Smith
Video: Gengahr Youtube
Image courtesy of Gengahr via Instagram
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