2020 should have been an epic year for Flawes. They released their debut album Highlights in January and had huge tour and performance plans on both sides of the Atlantic lined up to keep the momentum they’d built up over the last 18 months going. Then the Corona Virus pandemic hit and everything they were looking forward to had to be scrapped. Rather than let this get them down, the trio found ways to keep themselves busy and creative, as well as interactive and engaged with their loyal following. As they prepare to drop their EP Reverie at the end of the month, PopWrapped caught up with Flawes to talk their evolution and growth as a band, their new single and their plans for the rest of the year.
How do you think you’ve grown and changed as a band during your time together and how would you say such is reflected in your music?
Freddie: Our sound has really changed over the years and I think that has a lot to do with our live shows. Our music used to be a lot more down tempo (taking influence from acts like London Grammar and Jack Garratt) but we’d always notice that the bigger moments in the set really connected with the fans as well as well as with the three of us. We found ourselves naturally writing music that was more uplifting and easier to dance to and we haven’t looked back since! We’ve definitely learnt to enjoy the process a lot more and we try to reflect back on how far we’ve come whenever we can.
Tell me a little about your new single “Higher Than Before.” What made you think it was the ideal choice for release as a single?
JC: Much like the rest of the Reverie EP ‘Higher Than Before’ has an uplifting and optimistic theme. It wasn’t something I intentionally set out to do, it kind of happened naturally; perhaps as a response to everything going on in the world right now. The song is all about giving a relationship a chance and looking at things in a more positive light. The chorus hook “You’re taking me Higher Than Before” centres around the realisation that being with them has vastly improved my life; life is a lot better when they are in it.
How did Mali-Koa come to be involved on the track?
JC: We are big fans of Mali and knew her voice would sound amazing on ‘Higher Than Before’ so we were so excited when she said yes. Collaborating with her was so much fun, it was one of those sessions that was written in 20 minutes, everything seemed to be going for us that day. We love collaborating with other artists having previously released songs with ROZES and SAD ALEX.
The song is taken from your upcoming EP Reverie which drops at the end of the month. How did you find the writing and recording process for the collection, given all that’s happened and the circumstances we’ve all been living under for the past year?
JC: Obviously having our entire calendar cancelled due to Covid19 wasn’t great but it meant we were able to jump straight back into writing. ‘Reverie’ is a direct result of that. Fortunately, we all have our own little home studio setups and use Logic, so we were able to send new song ideas and projects back and forth between us quickly and easily. The concept of a ‘Zoom Writing Session’ took some getting used to and being totally honest I can’t wait until we can all write in the same room again. Everything on Reverie was recorded from our homes, which again is something we’ve never done before.
Could you pick your favourite track from the EP and if so, which is it and why?
Huss: I think my favourite has to be “What’s A Boy To Do” which is the second single we released from Reverie. It’s my favourite for a few reasons really… from the fond memories of recording it at home in my little studio with my pet rabbits running around the drum room to having my dad feature in the music video hah! But overall that song is the one I’m looking forward to playing live most at our next show. It has such a huge chorus – as my neighbours will know from when I recorded it… I get to play pretty loud – I can’t wait.
Aside from working on new music, how have you spent your time during lockdown and while being unable to get out on the road etc.?
Freddie: When lockdown kicked in we started a series of online covers called ‘The Isolation Sessions’. Not being able to be in the same room wasn’t going to stop us making music haha! We also managed to write a whole new batch of songs, the result of which is Reverie. Apart from that, we all became better producers and on a personal level I’ve discovered running… I didn’t think I’d ever be someone that would enjoy it but it’s been amazing for keeping a clear head with everything that’s going on in the world.
Vaccines are now being given, increasing the optimism for many regarding a better and brighter year ahead. What are you most looking forward to doing, personally and professionally, when some semblance of normality resumes?
Huss: Well, I can say with some certainty that we’re all dying to get back on the road and tour as much as we can. We have so much new music yet to perform and so many places yet to visit. But only of course, only when it’s safe to do so. And personally, I’m looking forward to some good, quality family time. I have a new niece that was born in November that I’m yet to meet and I also need to give my nephew his Christmas present – it’s a skateboard – and I HAVE to be there when he opens it.
The music industry has been badly affected by the Corona Virus pandemic. Do you honestly think it can recover and get back to how it was before all this happened? What can and perhaps should fans, and the government, do to help?
Freddie: I think the pandemic has shone a light on how resilient the industry is. Venues and musicians alike have had to adapt so quickly and are doing so incredibly well to keep going whilst creating new ways to generate money through music. I think the government could and should have done a lot more for the industry but I’m also thankful to them for how quickly we’re seeing the vaccine being rolled out – a lot of other countries aren’t nearly as lucky! My hope is that things will be looking a lot closer to normal as the year goes on. Fans showing musicians as much support they can in the time being is really helpful, even if that’s just a comment online!
A lot of bands have remained interactive with their fans via social media over the past several months. Is that something you’ve found yourselves doing or do you prefer to shy away from the almost constant connectivity the likes of Twitter and Facebook offer?
JC: The three of us are naturally very optimistic people. I think being used to the ups and downs and everything the music industry throws at you has prepared us to be able to quickly adapt and strive to make the best of any situation. We’ve definitely thrown ourselves into online activities to keep busy such as starting a series of Isolation session covers every week, zoom parties, Instagram live performances, virtual festival performances and my personal favourite ‘Question Time with Flawes’, where we answered awkward questions from fans head on. As a result of all of these, the three of us definitely feel closer to our fans.
Finally then, aside from the EP release, are there any other plans or projects in the pipeline you can tell me about? What’s the big goal for the year?
Huss: I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say… But I’m going to anyway. I think this is an exclusive?! We’re doing a live stream show to celebrate the release of Reverie on the 2nd March on flawes.com… We’ve been planning it for a while and literally haven’t played a show together in over a year! But it’s going to be a whole load of fun. It’ll be the first time we perform some of the songs from Reverie and a few of our favourites too. Other than that, we’ve been writing a bunch more so expect more new music in 2021 and yeah, I guess as soon as the world opens up, we’ll be touring as much as we can.
Check out the video for “Higher Than Before” below and to keep up to date with Flawes, give their page a like on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.
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