IRISH post-punk band The Murder Capital are set to rock the stage at Kendal Calling this year.
Having this year released their sophomore album Gigi’s Recovery, the band has announced a 29-date tour across Europe, including seven UK dates, not including Kendal Calling.
To those unfamiliar with the band’s sound, guitarist Damien Tuit cited Joy Division, Pixies, Shame, Savages, PJ Harvey and the Bad Seeds as shaping their form, while vocalist James McGovern suggested other classic influences.
“Some of the big influences are the Velvet Underground, Lou Reed, and Jamie Morrison," Jamie said in an interview with News & Star.
“In terms of more contemporary influences, they’d be Beach House and Kendrick Lamar – I don’t know if you’d hear them in our music, but Bowie’s shapeshifting and Iggy Pop influence our stage presence.
“They all have a deep respect for their artistry.”
For most bands, an international tour can be something of an endurance challenge, with little time for rest in between travelling, practicing, sound checking, and performing.
“Our schedule usually sees us trying to get our catering sorted out first,” Jamie remarked.
“But we’re always working on the road.
“You can be a very inactive person on tour. We try to write where you can and feel the city you’re in, you don’t want to lose momentum.”
Despite touring the US, performing the Woodies stage at Glastonbury this year, and looking forward to a huge European tour, they’re equally looking forward to getting out in Cumbria.
“It would be a wasted opportunity if you don’t go and see it.
“We got out a lot in America but I’ve seen a lot of beautiful places this side of the pond.
“We definitely want to see Kendal, there are some beautiful places in the UK and we don't turn our eyes away from those opportunities."
It’s not lost on the band that despite there being people who would kill to be in their position, they’ve got a way to go in their career. James said: “We’re at the start.
“At our peak we see ourselves being able to pay the bills... I’m kind of joking, but I just want to be still making music.
“I’d like to play larger stages, and wouldn’t mind dipping my toes into the Pyramid Stage, or even just flying to the actual pyramids for a gig there.”
Kendal Calling 2023 will be held at Lowther Deer Park from Thursday, July 27 to Sunday, July 30.
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