Continuing to globe hop through the early months of 2016, a strong contingent of Australian bands have now found themselves in Brighton, UK for The Great Escape. Descending upon the beachside English town for the next three days and nights of live music showcases and conferences, the musicians flying the flag for our area of the globe represent a strong calibre of talent – artists we’re keen to see flex their musical muscle for the Brits.
Adelaide’s Grenadiers have been on tour through the UK prior to their Great Escape schedule and ahead of the madness, Jesse Coulter tells us how the band anticipates their time in Brighton.
Tell us who you are and what instrument do you play in the band?
Jesse – vocals and guitar.
Have you played The Great Escape before? What are you expecting from the festival?
I have not been or played, just heard great things. From what I’ve heard and understand, it’s similar to Brisbane’s BIGSOUND event, but bigger and colder. Three days of showcases, introductions, schmoozing, wining and dining and some mildly debauched behaviour.
What are you hoping will come out of this year’s event for you?
We’re hoping to make a few connections with UK and Europe based agents and labels so that we can come back to this neck of the woods on the back of our next album!
Why should The Great Escape attendees come and see you?
If I were me (which, excluding the possibility of a major existential crisis, I’m pretty sure I am), I probably wouldn’t come see us because I’ve seen us before. However, if I weren’t me, I would definitely go see Grenadiers because we’re basically the greatest band the world has ever seen – just ask our parents.
Price of a ticket gets you a beer-soaked rock extravaganza. Bearded guys hurling each other out of windows, our pure sonic power coalescing into a physical hurricane of actual lightning and thunder, dogs and cats living in harmony, complete pandemonium. Or at least a nice pint of Guinness.
What is a track that you think best represents where your band is right now, and what audiences can expect from your sound and your set?
Here’s our last single “Live Fast, Diabetes”. I think the ridiculousness of the video is a reasonable indication of what the band’s all about.
What made you want to showcase at The Great Escape?
The opportunity came up and we thought, ‘Why the hell not?’ We really want to hit Europe on the back of this next record, so this definitely can’t hurt in that regard – or in millennial parlance, YOLO.
Do you have any dream collaborations?
Kanye.
How much more international touring is on the cards for this year?
For this year, probably not a lot, as we’re working towards putting the next record together as soon as we get home from this trip. After that, hopefully a whole lot!
How do you think the British crowd will receive your music?
England’s the same as any other country, in that there’s not really a “British crowd” – every group of people is different on any given night. We’ve played five shows here so far, to a response ranging from total surprised enthusiasm to mild amusement – pretty standard for a band people know nothing about! Once we get some music released here and come back again, hopefully we can build this thing into something like what we have at home.
What other Aussie act playing The Great Escape would you recommend the rest of the world needs to see?
City Calm Down are pretty rad – a cool The National/Joy Division 80’s post punk/pop kind of sound, and extremely good at what they do.
Please list your The Great Escape showcases (to now) and give us a link where we can find your most up to date list!
May 19th | The Alternate Escape: Made In Adelaide @ North Laine Brewery | 9:00pm
May 21st | The Aussie BBQ @ Concorde 2 | 1:30pm
The Great Escape Artist Page can be found HERE.
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