Consisting of Mae Carter, Jack Ames, Dan Godfrey and Harry Mitchell, whilst it would be easy and awfully convenient to describe SUDS as a band wonderfully bridging midwest emo, folk vulnerability and contemporary DIY UK indie-pop, it would be more fitting to interpret them as a series of dichotomies. Truly and simply, SUDS are a dichotomy between pleasantry and sadness, a dichotomy between modern and classical, a dichotomy between lost and found. An abstract description, possibly, but it’s this sense of inherent intricacy and substance has bequeathed SUDS with the spoils that can only grace a band with true promise.
Following their signing to the arbiters of contemporary indie that is Big Scary Monsters, SUDS have enjoyed more successes than most bands will receive in two years in just six months. This Spring saw the band take to the road in support of acts such as Pool Kids and Martha, and furthermore, this Summer wills see the band grace stages at the likes of 2000 Trees, Truck Festival and Are You Listening Festival. These achievements, lofty ones for a band that just formed in 2018, are the result of their brilliant and charming debut EP In The Undergrowth.
Released just last month and showcasing both their finesse and the dichotomies previously stated, In The Undergrowth see’s SUDS amalgamating musical movements removed by both time and distance in a fashion that’s sublime, soothing and charming. Equal parts indie and emo with the vulnerably and tenderness of authentic folk, the EP weaves tales on the importance of community and inclusivity amidst a cold society where such things have become forgotten. Truly, whilst it’s instantly agreeable on the surface, it’s a record host to hidden depths of narrative, nuance and creativity, one that warmly caresses one with it’s textures and one that easily showcases why SUDS are being presented with opportunities left, right and centre.
With In The Undergrowth out now via Big Scary Monsters and with the band gearing up for a Summer of festivals and shows, we got in touch with SUDS to get better acquainted.
For those new to SUDS, how would you briefly describe the band?
“We get asked that a lot and we always find it really hard to nail down. We always say it’s nice sad music for nice sad people.”
Musically and topically, what are your primary inspirations?
“Musically, we’re heavily inspired by the midwest emo scene and the early 1960s New York folk scene. Topically, we try our best to express feelings and anxieties we face in our daily lives; we’re all quite anxious people so it seemed like a no brainer to write about our fears and worries, it’s nice because it seems like it resonates with folks who listen to our music and shows them they aren’t alone.”
You’ve had quite the busy year thus far. Firstly, you signed to Big Scary Monsters in January. What is it about the label that appealed to you?
“We had always loved Big Scary Monsters, growing up they were our favourite label. All the bands on their roster have been hugely inspiring to us. They are also the nicest folks in the industry and that was cemented for us as soon as we spoke to Kev for the first time. He had so much faith in us and what we were trying to achieve, and that meant so much to us at the start. That’s never gone away and we are very grateful for that.”
Secondly, you recently released your debut EP. How did the release go?
“The EP release was incredible, we were on our first headline tour that release week and finished with a hometown show the night it came out which was really special. We were lucky enough to have a bunch of bands we love reach out and tell us how much they liked it too which meant the world.”
Thirdly, you’ve just finished your tour with Pool Kids. How where the shows and what was the reception to the new material like?
“The shows with Pool Kids were incredible! They are the nicest folks ever and were so inspiring to watch every night, we DID NOT want it to end. The new material went down super well, it feels different to the older stuff which is exciting but it was nice seeing the crowd jump around to it a little.”
Your music has this blissful and dreamy tone yet it’s filled with nuance and variation. It’s reminiscent of the classic Midwest emo scene whilst also touching upon certain aspects of the the UK indie scene. How did you create your sound, did it come naturally or did you have specific sound in mind when writing?
“When Jack joined the band, he and Maisie began writing together almost instantly, which was the first time either of them had written together. They both come from quite different musical backgrounds and their interests are very varied. Naturally it came out the way it did, but they had had conversations about the kind of sound they were interested in creating and that was very much just trying to find a middle ground between those two musical scenes mentioned earlier.”
Your EP also feels akin to a respite to the perpetual intensity and chaos of modern life. To me, it feels like your music and the title of In The Undergrowth mirrors a sense of trying to navigate the overwhelming nature of the world. Is this something you agree with?
“That’s exactly what the EP is about, it’s the first part of a greater story we are trying to tell. In The Undergrowth is us starting in a place of great feelings of intensity and overwhelm. Struggling to navigate through the weeds and mud. It’s definitely a metaphor for how we are all feeling trying to navigate living in such a chaotic and turbulent world.”
There’s also quite a therapeutic sound to your band, does performing and writing also provide you with a sense of catharsis and escapism?
“We definitely use writing and playing in SUDS as a coping mechanism, it allows us all to not only express how we’re feeling but to forget it for a little while and just be together doing something so lovely. We are awfully close so any time we are together feels like the safest space for us all.”
You’ve said that community plays a major part of SUDS. Could you elaborate on that and the importance of community in modern life?
“SUDS really started in Norwich. Jack and Harry own a Record and Vintage Clothing shop there with their business partner Cat Stones, called Lowell. Lowell has become a real community hub for the DIY scene in Norwich. That scene was the reason all four of us moved to Norwich to work on the band full time. The community is incredible at championing creativity and creating a safe space for folks to create so without that kind of incubation, we would have never been able to go forward with SUDS like we have.”
Finally, what do you want people to take away from your music?
“That’s a hard one, I think if some folks can maybe feel like they aren’t alone by hearing our songs and what we write about then that’s enough. Suds is for everyone, if you want it to be.”