Frightened Rabbit Ibiza Rocks Interview

Ahead of their stint at Ibiza Rocks tonight supporting The Kooks, we caught up with Scottish rockers Frightened Rabbit...

Ahead of their stint at Ibiza Rocks tonight supporting The Kooks, we caught up with Scottish rockers Frightened Rabbit to talk about their first time visiting the White Isle, playing Ibiza Rocks and their 'happy and content' new sound...

Q: Have you been to Ibiza before?

A: (Scott) No never, this is our first time. We have heard a lot about it. My girlfriend has been before but I never thought we would come out here and play a show it should be fun.

(Billy) We have never been somewhere so warn either, it’s going to be crazy by the time we go on stage.

Q: Do you both have the essential items needed for Ibiza?

A: (Scott) The problem is I don’t have any shorts. I haven’t owned a pair of shorts for about ten years so I think it’s going to have to happen, as I am getting a bit sweaty.

(Billy) I might go and buy some flowery shorts and some armbands

Q: Is there a song that reminds you of Ibiza?

A: (Scott) Rather than any specific song, I think I have just heard the overall thumping of sub and base in the vicinity for the whole time we have been here.

(Billy) How about the Vengaboys?

(Scott) I haven’t heard the Vengaboys yet.

Q: Are you looking forward to playing Ibiza Rocks tonight?

A: (Scott) Yeah we are really looking forward to playing Ibiza Rocks, like I said we have never been here before so let alone playing a show. I think it’s the best way to meet all the people and it’s a lot more fun.

Q: You are supporting The Kooks, are you going to watch them play and hang out after the gig?

A: (Scott) Yeah we are opening for The Kooks and I think we are going to hang out. There is an after-show party and it's such a nice place to have a show, it would be a bit foolish if we didn’t watch them perform.

(Billy) I would like to see them. I have never seen them play before so I am going to check them out.

(Scott) It’s a new experience.

Q: You are from Scotland which is notorious for its bad weather, how are you enjoying the Ibiza sunshine?

A: (Scott) I like it and I kind of don’t like it because I am not used to it. I am inappropriately dressed and it does make me miserable in the middle of the day but these warm nights are perfect for drinking.

(Billy) I can’t handle the heat so I will be hiding away until it gets dark anyway.

Q: You have played a few festivals this year how is Ibiza Rocks different from any of those events?

A: (Scott) Well, every festival is kind of different but this one is unique in the way it’s in the courtyard of a hotel and I don’t think I have ever seen that before and I think that because the island is known for dance music is a really unique place to have a rock concert. I think it’s going to be a one off for us.

(Billy) It’s also different because usually there are a million bands playing and there’s only a few tonight so at least we get to hang out and catch everything instead of wandering about for hours trying to catch one band.

(Scott) And you don’t have to camp in a tent either.

Q: Now lets talk about your new album, it’s slightly different to your other LP’s as it’s happier and content, what was the reason for this change in sound?

A: (Scott) Yeah, the album is both happy and content. Seeing as I do most of the song writing, I was happier and content and I think it has to be reflected in the music that I write so it’s naturally that way. People were a little bit upset that I wasn’t sad anymore but I’m quite pleased I’m not sad anymore.

Q: Did you feel any pressure then not to be sad all the time?

A: (Scott) A lot of people do expect us to be sad, especially in person as well and people are surprised when we are not miserable and little nerds in person but I think we have an expectation and I am quite happy to defy their expectations in a way.

Q: The record has been described as more of a storytelling record, would you agree?

A: (Scott) Yeah, the record The Winter Of Mixed Drinks is more of a storytelling record and although I was content and happy, I think that writing an album entirely about feeling that way is boring so I had to kind of run with themes and make it less autobiographical then in the past. It was like creating a semi-fictional character but I love that it is still about me.

Q: What’s next for you as a band?

A: (Scott) There is still a whole bunch of festivals and we are pretty full on until the end of August. The rest of this year has been planned out for us to keep touring. I think it’s the best way to go out and get people to listen to your music at shows so we love touring and we are certainly doing plenty of it this year.

Q: You have been on the music scene for seven years what advice would you give to new acts just starting out?

A: (Scott) I would say to new acts starting out just don’t stop. If you don’t give up then eventually something will happen and to just do things honestly, in your own way.

(Billy) Yeah, just keep at it and do not give up at all.

Q: Is there anyone in the UK music scene that you really like or would like to work with?

A: (Scott) I really like Jeff Barrow from Portishead’s stuff at the moment. He is in a new band called Beak and he is someone I admire.

(Billy) I am really keen on a band from Manchester called Airship right now they for me are the band that I am really loving. I want to go and see them again.

Q: You have recently just toured the US, how does that compare to Europe?

A: (Scott) Well in a lot of places in Europe we aren’t very well known which is one of the reason’s why we are fairly successful in the US as we have been back over and over again to try and win over our fan base. The UK and Europe have been a little bit behind them but they are catching up. I love touring the US so I am not complaining, they cottoned onto the band early.

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