Sincerity, chaos and evolution in every note.
Almost a year after the launch of sundiver, Boston Manor continues to establish itself as one of the most exciting proposals in British alternative rock. With a sound that travels from melancholy to viscerality and lyrics full of honesty, the band from Blackpool is ready to conquer the Mexican public on September 5. In this exclusive interview, we talk about his inspirations, the evolution of his music, the difference between the studio and the stage, and the excitement of playing for the first time in Mexico.
GO!: His lyrics range from the melancholic to the visceral. Where does inspiration come from: from life itself or from a specific topic you develop?
Boston Manor: Henryour vocalist, is very thoughtful when writing. It depends a lot on the stage of the band you're talking about. He told me yesterday that sometimes he wishes he could continue writing like on our first album, Be Nothingbecause those lyrics were very direct and visceral. But he also admits that with maturity you lose a bit of that rawness, and maybe it was a bit juvenile.
Much of the inspiration comes from what he sees around him. Blackpool, our place of origin, has been a fundamental part of our albums: it is a very peculiar city, full of problems, but with a rare beauty. He also writes a lot about himself, putting part of his life in each song. In sundiverfor example, wanted to imagine the letters as brush strokes on a canvas, creating images that are not so direct, but evoke sensations and allow for multiple interpretations. We are big fans of cinema, and we like that when people close their eyes they can visualize the world we are building in each song.
GO!: It's almost a year since the launch of sundiver. How do you feel the band has evolved since then?
Boston Manor: We can't believe so much has happened. It was an album that took us a long time and that we continue to listen to with pride. We've been on tour, playing these songs in front of tons of people, and the reaction has been incredible, especially with the heavier songs. Right now we are thinking about where to go after sundiver. We believe that the most important thing is that we make music for ourselves: if it connects with people, great, but the starting point is always to be honest with what we feel.
GO!: What is the secret to continue creating without falling into monotony?
Boston Manor: We always try to be our own favorite band. The key is to write songs that we can imagine playing in 10 years without feeling like they embarrass us or sound dated. You should never write thinking about “what the industry asks for” or about fashion trends. TikTokbecause if you don't like your song and neither do people, you lost twice.
The best thing is to be true to yourself. Many bands from the 90s or 2000s that were not massive at the time found their audience later, precisely because they wrote from sincerity. think about Slowdive: in their time no one paid attention to them, and now they are bigger than ever. the same with Deftoneswho have been consistent in writing what they believed to be correct. That is the teaching: if art is honest, sooner or later it will find someone who values it.
GO!: What would you say is the main difference between Boston Manor in the studio and Boston Manor live?
Boston Manor: They are both chaotic, but in different ways. In a show live, if you make a mistake, it's okay: it's part of the experience. In the studio it's more stressful because it seems like you only have one chance to get it perfect. But we also believe that imperfections make records more human. We try to capture the live energy in the studio, because a lot of people tell us we're a great live band. Personally, I enjoy the studio more because it is a creative space, although nothing compares to the adrenaline of a concert.
GO!: They appear in Mexico on September 5. What does it mean to you and how are you preparing?
Boston Manor: We are very excited! Since we received the invitation we haven't stopped talking about it. We are fans of Mexican food, in fact it is our favorite, although in the UK it is not as good. The first time we tried something close to the real thing was in California, and it blew our minds.
On one occasion, in a studio that was on a walnut farm, some Mexican ladies who worked there cooked us the bestIt's Huevos Rancheros our lives. (I hope I said it right, haha). We also want to try real tequila and mezcal, because in the UK it is usually a cheap liquor that is drunk as punishment, and it doesn't taste good. When we tried authentic tequila in the United States, I became an absolute fan: it is a beautiful alcohol, made with care and love. We are dying to enjoy it in its homeland.
GO!: Describe Boston Manor in three words.
Boston Manor: Loving, emotional and sincere. We care about people, music and culture. We always want to do everything honestly, because that's what keeps art alive.
