Switches
Interviewed for Riffin' by Webjockey Elke Jon
Check out Switches' Rifflist: Switch It Up
Switches' irresistible riffs, sunny harmonies and foot-stomping beats all combined with front man Matt Bishop's sexy sneer have made them an immediate hit on the American music scene, capturing the attention of fans and critics alike. Riffin' Webjockey Elke Jon catches up with the guys backstage at their New York show, chatting about anything from classic rock to killer burgers.
Riffin': People have been saying that you sound more "American" than most British indie bands currently coming from across the pond. Why do you think that is?
Matt: 'Cause I like to sing with an American accent.
Ollie: I don't think that's true.
Matt: [Laughs] Well, no, I know. A lot of bands that we're influenced by, that we listen to, are American bands. Especially like Weezer, which is one of my favorite bands ever. And the Dandy Worhols.
Ollie: We don't really write songs about particularly English scenarios, or English places—they're about universal scenarios and people.
Riffin': So, what makes a great live show in your book?
Matt: Chaos. Nothing by the book. Things have to go wrong, things have to break. I think that's the best live show.
Ollie: I don't like stuff breaking! I like it better if I can control it.
Matt: I like stuff breaking if it's purposeful.
Ollie: Yeah, that's right.
Matt: The perfect Switches live show is one that blends chaos with a sort of harmony.
Riffin': Perhaps the one thing that has got the press buzzing is your potential for making a huge splash on the American Indie scene – what do you foresee in Switches' future?
Thom: If it doesn't happen, we'll just keep making music.
Ollie: But it will happen, and we won't just be the next biggest thing, it will be like world domination.
Matt: Yeah, we don't want to be an Indie splash, we want to be a completely separate entity. We're not an Indie band. When I think of Indie bands, I think of like, the Strokes — bands that have a definite niche, where I want our rock music to be more wide reaching. I don't want to be the new Beatles. My dad tells me that we could be the new Beatles.
Ollie: That's all that counts. That's what his dad says.
Riffin': As a side note: I've heard that you guys love burgers and have been consuming mad amounts of them on this year's tour. Any comments?
Thom: They make me feel a bit…a bit shit, really.
Riffin': What were some of your childhood career aspirations? That is, besides being rock stars?
Thom: I wanted to play football, I think, and then I found out I was shit. And then I found music and that was it, it was over.
Matt: Did anyone want any real jobs? Did anyone want to be like, a doctor? Or a lawyer?
Ollie: No…no aspirations whatsoever for the greater good of society.
Thom: You just get swallowed up in music, and you can't see any other way, really. It devours you.
Matt: It does. Does, does, does.
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