Formed through mutual friends after attending an Enter Shikari show, rising noise-pop duo Superlove were inspired to create a sound that combined the best elements of pop and heavy music. We caught up with bassist/vocalist Jacob Rice following the release of their recent single Maybe I Could Tell You, to discuss the band’s influences, ambitions, future plans and more.
Firstly, tell us a bit about yourself and your band.
We’re from Bristol, there’s only two of us! Myself Jacob (bass/vocals) and Jonathan (guitar/ vocals). We produce our own music which definitely is one of the biggest factors of our sound. We’re both huge fans of satirical comedy, the doom eternal soundtrack and oasis and just general 90’s nostalgia.
How did the band form and how long have you been together?
The band formed because Jonathan went to a show in 2017 to see Enter Shikari/Lower Than Atlantis. It affected him so much, that it spurred him on to want to start a band that combined all the best elements of heavy music and the best of pop music. Jacob, who was also at the show but hadn’t met Jon at this point, was also looking to join a new band. Friends of friends brought us together and ever since then we’ve become absolute best mates. We officially formed and announced to our mates in 2018 that Superlove was now a band, and we released our first song in September 2018.
Can you remember the first time you realised you wanted to make music?
For me personally, when I was like nine or something. I went camping with family/friends and there was a boy who was a few years older than me playing the guitar. I just remember being absolutely in awe of it, so for the next year or so he gave me guitar lessons every week. When I was 14 I started singing, I wasn’t good at all but practiced and had a few lessons when I was in college and from there it would then spiral to where we are now.
Who and what are the band’s main influences?
Enter Shikari are up there, bands like Meshuggah and The 1975 also. Jonathan is a huge fan of Aphex Twin, I love pop music and anything that really makes my brain go, oh that’s different.
What do you aim to achieve as a band?
In the future hopefully we get to become more established as a band and get some downtime to do some co-writing as a duo with other bands or artists. I think that’s a huge goal for us. To play an arena one day would be a mad experience, I would love to hopefully try that someday. We hope to write music that people can get behind for many different reasons, be it the songwriting or production or just the message behind some of songs.
For those who are yet to see you live, what can they expect from a Superlove show?
Expect a laugh. Our main aim is to make at least one person laugh or smile. We chat a load of rubbish at each other in-between songs, so also a bit of that thrown in there. All of that as well as throwing in a cover every now and then, so if somebody’s been dragged along they’ll at least hopefully know one song we play.
What’s next for Superlove?
Debut album, tours (fingers crossed), some potential large announcements and just plentiful good times.
Superlove have announced a show at The Black Heart in London, set to take place on 5th April 2022. Tickets are on sale HERE.
