Photo Credit: Megan Doherty
Following their sets at 2000trees 2024, we chatted to Boston Manor’s guitarist Mike Cunniff about their forthcoming fifth album Sundiver which is set for release this month.
Hi Mike, earlier this month you played two brilliant sets at 2000trees. The first of which was a bit of a throwback set in The Forest, how was it revisiting some of these tracks and the festival in general?
It was definitely taxing! We haven’t played some of those songs for a while and we forgot how fast we used to play. We definitely brought the tempo down a bit! 2000 trees is the first festival we ever played as a band and I remember the first time we enjoyed it so much we came back down the following year as punters. We love what they’ve done with the forest stage too. Seeing a band play deep in the woods is such a unique experience and vibe that not many festivals offer! It’s our favourite UK festival and we’re always stoked to play it.
Your new album Sundiver is set for release in September. Can you tell us some more about the recording of the release after working with Larry Hibbitt and Alex O’Donovan on some tracks?
Since the pandemic we’ve been slowly working our way towards writing this record. We were so lucky to find Larry and Alex when we did. They really just got what it was we were trying to achieve, and they always bring out the best in us. This record has been a long time in the making. We knew it had to contrast the dark night time themes of Datura so finding a sonic palette and how to make the songs sound “brighter” was a big challenge for us. A lot of writing was done between home and Larry’s home studio in Welwyn Garden City just outside of London. Most of the recording took place over a blisteringly hot summer. Being out in nature and in the sun definitely helped shape this record and kept us in the right mindset.
Datura and Sundiver go hand in hand, with this feeling like the summer edition of the album with Datura the winter. Do you feel that’s what it lives up to? Do we need an album for each season?
Both albums deal with many complications and symptoms of growing up and living in a life that has become so fast paced and unpredictable. We explore themes such as dreams, surrealism and alternate worlds through the lens of a protagonist making their way through a hectic alcohol and drug infused night into the next day where they stop and hope to make a better life for themselves.
What message/messages do you want listeners to take away from the album? What does Sundiver mean and represent to you?
That we all have the power to change ourselves and the world around us. Even small positive changes can make a huge difference.
You’ve shared tracks including Container and Heat Me Up so far, are these indicative of the overall album sound or should we be expecting some curveballs?
That would be telling.
You mentioned before that when making Sundiver you revisited some of your favourite bands whilst growing up, who are they and do you think we’ll spot any of their influence on the album?
Some of those influences are pretty obvious and some aren’t. Music in general was such a huge part of growing up for all of us and we just want to be IN our favourite band. I’ve always really loved the idea of taking everything that I loved from the late 90s/early 2000s from metal, R&B and pop and making something that sounds entirely new but also nostalgic. When we started writing for this album, I made a playlist of songs for inspiration that included bands and artists like KoRn, Limp Bizkit, Deftones, Rage Against the Machine, Portishead, Destiny’s Child, NSYNC, Quicksand, The Cardigans, Garbage and Slowdive. I was also heavily in Black metal and shoegaze that year.
Now you’re onto album number five, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt over these years?
Sincerity and always make the music that you love.
If you had to choose a skip to/favourite track on Sundiver, which would it be and why?
Hard to say. I always just stick the record on and listen all the way through. I wish people still wrote and enjoyed albums this way.
Looking back at your discography, is there one lyric which really stands out for you as a favourite?
I misinterpreted the lyric ‘Where do I begin?’ on the song Sliding Doors. When I realised it was a literal question about your own existence and not just a figure of speech I fell in love with it. But honestly the beautifully dark and provocative poetry of Horses In A Dream are some of my favourite lyrics.
Who would be on your dream festival line-up? No budget limits, dead or alive and you’ll be on the bill obviously!
Deftones, Nirvana, Slowdive, Radiohead, Black Sabbath, Chelsea Wolfe, Limp Bizkit, Depeche Mode, The Cardigans, Heriot, Placebo and Rage Against The Machine.
What is 2024 and beyond looking like for you? We have the album; the tour and it just feels like it’s a great time to be a Boston Manor fan.
We hope to continue growing as musicians and as people. I hope we get to make it out to places we haven’t been. Keep making new memories and experiences in our weird little world.
Interview By: Nicola Craig
Sundiver is set for release on 6th September via SharpTone Records and can be pre-ordered HERE.
See them on their UK headline tour later this year at the following dates:
September 2024
Wed 18th – NOTTINGHAM – Rock City
Thu 19th – MANCHESTER – O2 Ritz
Fri 20th – LEEDS – Project House
Sun 22nd – GLASGOW – SWG3
Tue 24th – BRISTOL – SWX
Wed 25th – SOUTHAMPTON – Engine Rooms
Thu 26th – BIRMINGHAM – XOYO
Fri 27th – LONDON – O2 Forum Kentish Town
Tickets are available here.
