The Horrors’ leadman, Faris Badwan (pictured, far right back), talks to I-S ahead of the band’s Laneway gig.

The Horrors aren’t exactly full-on psychedelic, neither are you completely indie-pop. How would you describe your sound?
Well, I suppose it’s quite… I don’t know… I guess it’s psychedelic music in the sense that it hopefully gives you ideas. We aim to product an atmosphere and an interesting sound, I don’t think it necessarily sounds ‘60s or ‘70s or whatever.

Could you describe how your band’s sound has evolved since Strange House?
It’s changed quite a lot. As a band we all share the desire to improve and explore, so I think that’s the reason.

Who would you say are the biggest influences on your band musically?
Well, I think we all have quite disparate influences. I think that we all have different ideas of what we’d like to bring to the band. I think it’s that combination that makes The Horrors sound how we do. I wouldn’t say there’s any one band we want to sound like.

Where do you say you guys get your inspiration from for your song writing?
I think we all listen to a lot of different music; we all have lots of different ideas. And we’re all trying to discover new music, the reason The Horrors met was from going to record shops, playing records and DJing, and that passion for discovering new music is still very important to the band.

Is there any one festival you guys have had the best time playing at so far?
Well, I always remember playing at Big Day Out in Australia a couple of years ago.

Is there any one band that you’d like to perform live with?
I don’t know really. I’ve seen Kraftwerk maybe three times, and I think they were amazing. Kraftwerk are probably one of my favourite live bands.

Is there a favourite song you love to perform?
I always enjoy playing ‘Endless Blue.’ The crowd reaction is always very good for that one, always feel very excited.

If your band could go back in time, which musical era would you choose?
I suppose the late ‘60s was a very exciting time for music. Like a time when a lot of things that hadn’t been possible were suddenly possible so I think that to be in a period like that would be very exciting.

Check out The Horrors at Laneway Festival Singapore, February 12 at 11.15pm. See our other Laneway interviews with Twin Shadow and Yuck.
 

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