This week New Jersey rockers Can’t Swim release their debut album Fail You Again, before they make a welcomed return to the UK alongside Real Friends next month. We caught up with vocalist/guitarist Chris LoPorto to chat about the new record, becoming a five-piece and revisiting his childhood home.
Thanks for taking the time to chat to us – what have you been up to today?
Laundry. Oil Change. Rehearsed. We leave for tour in 2 days.
You release your new album Fail You Again this week via Pure Noise Records – how does it compare to your debut EP Death Deserves A Name?
When we released DDAN, we weren’t even a band yet. We didn’t get to hash out the ideas in a live setting. Now, we have been touring for a year together, so I think these songs reflect that a lot. I’d like to think this record sounds more like Can’t Swim than the last, all of us were involved in the process.
You’re streaming the album in full ahead of its release, something that is becoming increasingly common, what were your reasons for that?
I can’t take much credit for that. Pure Noise (our record label) thought it was a good idea to give people a preview before the actual release, and we love everything they do for our band, so it was a no-brainer.
As well as streaming the record you’ve released a mini-documentary which contains footage of you going back to your childhood home. How did you feel when you were back there?
Pretty peculiar. Like I said in the documentary, I hadn’t been there in quite sometime and it was a lot more fucked up than I originally remember it to be. It also was a nice feeling and realisation of what I am currently doing with my life; getting to do Can’t Swim full time and travel the world playing music and not be stuck in that house anymore.
You also talk about Andrea Morgan joining the band on drum duties, what dynamic does she bring to the band that makes you feel complete now?
I just think Can’t Swim was destined to be a 5 piece. It’s just in the nature of the music. She’s great cause she feels apart of the family already. We grew up together, went to the same shows and started playing music for the same reasons, it really is a perfect fit.
You came over to the UK at the end of last year supporting Boston Manor, as well as playing your debut headline show in Camden – what was the biggest highlight?
Just seeing kids from another country know our songs was pretty wild. Getting a chance to see so many different places and know the reason you are seeing them is because of some songs you wrote, is unreal. The fact that people showed up to a headline Can’t Swim show, in Camden, where we have never been before, was incredible.
You return to the UK shortly in support of Real Friends, for those who are yet to see you live what do you bring to the stage?
Sweat. Lots of sweat. Also, guitars. Bunch of them. 3 to be exact. No pyrotechnics or circus performers yet but lots of head banging.
Finally, there’s a track on the record called $50,000,000 – if you had that much money in your bank account what would you spend it on?
Pyrotechnics and circus performers.
Interview by: Hannah Gillicker
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Catch Can’t Swim on tour with Real Friends at one of the following dates:
April
Thu 6th – MANCHESTER – Club Academy
Fri 7th – BIRMINGHAM – Asylum
Sun 9th – NEWCASTLE – Riverside
Mon 10th – GLASGOW – St Lukes
Tue 11th – LEEDS – Stylus
Thu 13th – BRISTOL – Thekla
Fri 14th – NORWICH – Epic Studios
Sat 15th – SOUTHAMPTON – Engine Rooms
Sun 16th – LONDON – Electric Ballroom
