Today London indie-punk trio Happy Accidents release their new album Everything But The Here And Now, soon to embark on a series of shows in support of the record. We caught up with the band to hear their top tips, essential items and stories from the road!
Favourite thing about touring:
That feeling when you know there’s parking and beds at the venue. It only really happens in Mainland Europe, but there’s nothing quite like it. You’re free to relax safe in the knowledge that you don’t have to drive to a house that has cat shit everywhere and blasts techno till 5.30am (been there too many times, though still – thanks for letting us stay <3). Also, the obvious stuff like meeting new people and seeing new places with the buds.
Least favourite thing about touring:
See above: cat poo and techno.
Five essentials for the road:
Okay so, teabags, because service station coffee places will give you hot water for free, a roll mat because floors are hard, instruments that work and won’t go wrong because if we’re gonna go all that way we may as well rock well.
Your favourite way to pass the time:
Listen to whole records in the car, playlists are cool and all but are endless, and I’m a fan of knowing that at the end of this one record, half an hour will have passed. It’s a good way to section of the endless chunk of motorway.
“The Most”:
Memorable moment:
We got stuck in a snow storm on the way from Berlin to Erlangen. They just closed the motorway and we didn’t know what the hell was going on for hours. That was a bit scary, not knowing if we were gonna have enough fuel to get there. It turns out we missed the show by a few hours but people still stuck around and we played a short set at about 11pm. That was pretty cool!
Hilarious moment:
We put a pic of Phoebe and I on a ferry on Instagram, and then wrote some random nonsense in the comments about how Neil had gone home, assuming that everyone would know we were just being dumb. But then when we got to the festival one of the bands we were friends with thought it was legit and were really concerned that there had been some drama and he’d walked out on the tour. It turns out they’d been waiting 4 days to ask us what had happened and it was a big part of their tour up until that point. I enjoyed that a lot.
Embarrassing moment:
Missing our set at WTFest because of really bad traffic was pretty tragic. There’s no excuse for organisational errors guys.
Outrageous moment:
Phoebe had a moment where she stormed out of Wetherspoons because they charged her extra for avocado even though she didn’t have eggs and sausage. It was the most rock n roll moment I’ve ever seen and I very much respect it. She has been known since to go to the shops beforehand and bring her own avocado and Sriracha to the breakfast for a fraction of the price.
Drunken moment:
I mean everyone gets drunk sometimes, but I feel like drinking and music shouldn’t be as associated as they are. I mean each to their own, but it’s hard to escape drinking culture on tour and it’s sometimes pretty frustrating.
Rewarding moment:
The first show we ever played outside of the UK was in Lille and we had no idea what to expect. The opening band were pretty reckless with our backline and it kind of put us in a bad mood from the jump. But then as we were about to play, the room filled out and everyone was so attentive and nice. It was amazing to be so far from home and get a reception like that. It very much re-affirmed why we wanted to start a band in the first place!
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Everything But The Here And Now is out now via Alcopop Records, available to purchase HERE.
See Happy Accidents live at one of the following shows:
February
Wed 28th – BRISTOL – Exchange*
March
Thu 1st – SOUTHAMPTON – The Alex*
Fri 2nd – BRIGHTON – Sticky Mikes*
Sat 3rd – LONDON – The Lexington* (album release show)
April
Sat 14th – LEICESTER – Y Theatre^
Wed 18th – CARDIFF – Gwdihw^
Thu 19th – NOTTINGHAM – Rough Trade^
Fri 20th – LEEDS – Wharf Chambers*^
Sat 21st – MANCHESTER – Punk Fest
* w/ Milk Crimes
* ^ Kermes
