Words: Linn Branson
Northamptonshire has recently been put on the map for turning out psych dreamboats Temples, and now just bobbing along just under the surface, comes a band called Jubilee Courts. Although they are not strictly as new as, say, today's newspaper - and have been gigging around for awhile now - with their debut single imminent, they look like they could be rising their heads above the murky Northampton waters and swimming further afield.
Here we catch vocalist Josh for a chat about the band.
So, first of all who and what are Jubilee Courts about?
We're all about experimenting with the boundaries of our music yet staying true to our sound. We want it to be a true reflection of our thoughts and environment both musically and lyrically. If someone can relate or be inspired or use it as an escape, that would be cool.
The name, 'Jubilee Courts' is this the name of a housing estate, one of your addresses, a play on Parquet Courts or...something else?
It was the name of Matt's favourite leatherette sample in the DFS catalogue! In truth, we never say. Let your mind dwell on the question. But it's not a play on Parquet Courts. We decided on the name back in school before they had really emerged.
Was that when you all first got together, in school?
Harry and I (Josh) are childhood friends, he was 10 and I was 11, we grew up together and our tastes kind of developed together. I was in the same form as Matt at school, and I introduced him to Harry at a Young Knives gig, we were around 14 at the time. We used to just find new experiences together and bond over our music tastes, this band was inevitable. Once we'd started writing together in late-2011 University just wasn't on the cards for any of us.
Harry worked with Fraser's fiance and we all got introduced that way, he knew what all the knobs do and what it all means so we had to get him in. But I had previously seen this bizarre character in a suit with blue brogues on a bike, fag-in-mouth riding past me on his way to work every morning. Ended up playing synth for us.
Francis - or Frank - is relatively new to the band, only joined recently. He was in a band we used to play locally with, our last two drummers were great but left the band to study, so its a relief to have a drummer in it for the long haul now.
Did you know each other in another band or how did you all come together?
We first formed in early 2012, but with four members: Josh, Harry, Matt and a different drummer. We spent about a year just getting used to playing live and finding our sound. Our tastes were still going through a transition in the very early days. The band has only really taken its finished form in 2013.
You're all from Northampton, is that right, or just based there?
Yeah, all from Northampton, but from different schools and areas. Harry has moved to Camden at the start of the year
So he's now a cool, hip Towner then?!
Haha, you'll have to be the judge of that!
Give three things about Northampton that you love? (if any!)
It would be a bit of a contradiction to focus on things we love, we tend to draw most inspiration from the frustration of that place. There are some great people who take an interest in new music and are always game for a decent time, but there's also the culturally bland bridge street nightclubbing majority. Cuffed jeans, V-necks and protein shakes, gathered around the punching machine in the beer garden - its like a mating ritual. Then there's the visual contrast running through the town of the modern leisure based sites towered over by the 70s/80s dark concrete that time forgot. Suppose we've gotta show some love for the inspiration the town has sparked.
You've been working with James Bagshaw of Temples, how did that come about? Were you already friends or did he just approach you and say 'I've got to work with you guys!'?
We'd seen Temples emerging, and been to a gig they played locally for the launch of 'Shelter Song'. Josh messaged him on Facebook, he said he'd be up for mixing the track, so we went over to his parents' house in Kettering shortly after and he did a first mix of 'Room With A View' and laid some extra percussion/sounds on the track
'Room With A View' will be your debut, right?
Yeah, that's right. Due to be out late November, if all goes to plan. With and an instrumental dominated B-Side called 'Strip Down'. It was initially going to be released in early 2013, but we had issues with funding, Josh was in and out of hospital all the time, and we struggled to reach a final mix that we're completely happy with. All setbacks hopefully put to rest now.
You say it's 'instrumental dominated', is that instrumental side dominant generally in your music?
'Strip Down' is not an integral part of our set currently. We've introduced some very new ones that we think are blowing some of the older stuff away, but in the past we've kept it to play if people ask for more and I think that's the plan for the next few shows. It depends on the atmosphere really. It's a good song to move to.
There is a lot of instrumentation to some of our songs. It really depends on the direction of that particular song. The lyrics are written like poetry, I try to avoid meaningless filler verses or cliches. 'Strip Down' would be a one-pager, so I suppose the minimalist verse is balanced by the long instrumentals.
You mentioned you were in and out of hsopital, can I ask what was wrong - and are you okay now?
I don't want to bring the mood down. They found something in a brain scan earlier this year, so I've been being monitored over the year. I've been told its nothing to worry about now and they'll continue to check on me every few months. So nothing too drastic, thanks for the concern though. I don't like to talk about it much; don't want it to draw focus away from the music...but, the whole situation has inspired new elements to the music and allowed us to explore another side.
Who are Stalkers Records, who I believe you have signed to?
Stalkers is run by Paul Brown. For years he's been supporting local bands that he takes an interest in. We used to see him in the crowd at all our local gigs. He messaged us a couple of times offering free sessions in his studio (grooming us!); we knew he'd really get us on track and offer a platform to work from and put up with us taking the piss. Its good to have him backing us and finally getting these releases planned.
Decibels have already done a remix of this. What do you think of it?!
The Decibels remix is an interesting one, it's in-line with their electro synth lead funk pop sound, that first got us chatting to them. But then there's this almost garage-inspired vocal mix that drives the track. We've put it on at a few house parties, no complaints.
Who else would you like to have remix you - and anyone who you would like to get hold of the stems of?
We've already got another remix by a local artist called Joshua Ryan. It's true to the original vocally and structurally, but has a great electronic verging on house sound to it. And Neon Skies (due to mix the EP) has done the most intriguing atmospheric remix. It will blow your mind! We're happy with the remixes for the debut now, for future releases I suppose we'll just wait and see who else we happen to meet in our intoxicated haze.
How do you describe your sound?
None of us can. We usually say post-punk, housey, psychey, guitar driven shoegaze. . . Dank. It's just Dank! It keeps coming up and it may as well stick now.
The dictionary definition of 'dank' reads something like 'disagreeably damp, musty, and typically cold'. Er,....sound like you?!
I think its more an abbreviation of dance-punk. But when we finish a set, we're pretty dank in the literal sense!
You've played a fair number of gigs already. Can you remember your first and where? Do you feel more confident as a unit now from that first one?
Our first gig was in the front room of an old pub (The Racehorse) in the town centre, which has recently shut down. It was pretty much a different band: our sound has come on so much since then and we weren't as tight or spatially aware as we are now. Back then it was just about the getting wrecked and doing something to be remembered. Now it's more about portraying our art the best we can and creating a connection with the crowd...and trying to do something to be remembered - then getting wrecked!
Who are your influences as Jubilee Courts?
Our newer influences are the likes of The Horrors, Foals, The Rapture and we draw some influence from the house tracks we're into. Our older influences are The Velvet Underground, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Bauhaus, Joy Division and Stone Roses. It's hard to narrow down, the list could go on. Josh draws some lyrical inspiration from poets like Philip Larkin and Billy Collins.
And who do each of you personally like to listen to?
Again, hard to narrow down, umm here's two randoms each: Josh - TOY and My Bloody Valentine. Harry - Loom and Suuns. Matt - The XX and Nirvana. Fraser - The KVB and Public Image. Francis - Tame Impala and Grizzly Bear.
Two of my own favourites there - TOY and Loom.
Yeah, TOY are great, they're the much needed break from the many emerging bands playing it safe at the moment. Same said for Loom!
What gigs have you upcoming?
Well, we play next Friday, 25th October in Uxbridge at The Crown & Treaty with Bombay Bicycle Club doing a DJ set. Then Thursday 14th November we've got Birmingham, The Actress & Bishop. Our single launch dates will be announced shortly.
Give us a couple of interesting - unknown - facts about the Courts!
1. Did we mention we used to be women? 2. Jubilee Courts is a frame of mind.
Women!! Indeed. Do you still wear the frocks at all?
Only to church...
Jubilee Courts are: Josh Falconer - Guitar, Vocals & Sampler; Harry Boyde - Bass & Vocals; Matt Bradstreet - Guitar; Fraser Scowen - Synth & Electronics; Frank Robertson-Marriott - Drums
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