The next few weeks mark an important milestone for Big Jesus, who will make their live debut on UK and European shores (performing with Good Charlotte as well as Citizen) and later release their debut album Oneiric. We caught up with the band to chat about the meaning behind the record, how they caught the attention of the Madden Brothers and more.
Your debut album ‘Oneiric’ is released on the 30th September. The title relates to dream-like experiences: does that represent a lyrical theme that runs through the record or does it relate to the band in another way?
Yes, we definitely have a lot of dream references throughout the album and it was also an aesthetic that I really liked to pair with the sound of the songs. It’s not a concept album or anything. But it also relates to how big of a dream it has been for us to make this record.
You’ve already given fans a taste of the record with SP, Felt In Reverse and more recently Lock & Key. Would you say they are a good representation of the album as a whole or are there some surprises in there?
I’d like to think that each of the tracks are a surprise. We aim not to do the exact same thing over and over and make room for our band to be able to do multiple things but still always sound like ourselves.
Is there a track on the record that you think your fans will relate to the most?
Probably Shrimp. The lyrics are pretty personal and it’s a slower, more emotional ride than some of the other tracks. We talk about lots of different things throughout the album…dreams, existentialism, life/death, but Shrimp is a good ole fashioned song about a girl.
You’ve been compared to My Bloody Valentine and early Smashing Pumpkins – would you say that this is an accurate
comparison? Were they big influences on your songwriting?
For sure. I love Siamese Dream and Loveless, so I’m sure that comes out in some parts throughout the album. But it’s important to me to keep our own sonic identity and take influence without just simply emulating our elders.
You’re managed by MDDN.co, the company set up by The Madden Brothers. When did you first come in contact with them and how did that relationship build into management?
They contacted us after hearing some roughs of the album. We had been in the market for management and somehow our tracks landed at their desks. Benji called me up the next day and we immediately hit it off and it seemed like a great fit. I love that they come from a place of being artists and have an absolute understanding of what being in our shoes is like. They’re amazing people and insanely hard workers, so I feel really lucky for having them behind us.
Later this month you head to the UK and Europe to play some shows with Good Charlotte (as well as a run with Citizen and some recently announced free headline shows), will it be comforting to have your managers on the tour with you for the shows with Good Charlotte?
HA! Yes, definitely! For our first time overseas, we’ll be in extremely good hands. I feel a bit spoiled.
Our UK and European readers who are going to the shows will be seeing you for the first time. Is that nervewracking for you or are you excited to branch out to new audiences?
We’re ALWAYS excited to play, especially to people who know nothing about the band. I would hope that it’s like when you go see a movie without reading about it or seeing any trailer and it ends up blowing you away unexpectedly. It makes it that much better.
Finally – if you could be Jesus for the day, what good deed would you carry out?
Make Earth #2 and only invite the dopest alien races to come hang out with me.
Interview by: Hannah Gillicker
