Band of the Year is Lewis George (lead vocals, guitar, bass) and Ben K Adams (lead vocals, guitar). They hand-pick their most talented friends for the other instruments. They formed after several years of threatening to make music together. They released a track that was basically a love letter to The Hives. This was such a cathartic experience that they decided to team up with a focus on crunchy guitars, bleak lyrics, and upbeat instrumentation. They're perpetually inspired by Sports Team, Black Honey, Fidlar, Parquet Courts, Viagra Boys, and The Hives. Anything that sounds like it's been blasted through a cassette tape at slightly higher volume than full volume.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Band of the Year. What made you want to become a musician?
Well, firstly, there’s two of us (probably adding up to one full musician!). For me (Lewis), my story started with my parents buying me a guitar at age 5, with the hope that I’d rebel and become an accountant. That failed, hard.
Another key step on that journey was my Dad buying me Weezer’s blue album and telling me “You won’t understand this yet but keep hold of it.” That record made by those nerdy looking dudes back in 1994 is still in my top 3 to this day and definitely an influence on the “Band of the Year” sound.
Ben heard Tyrannosaurus Hives and it changed everything. Scratchy guitars and punk rock harmonies. That’s our usual pattern when writing!
Who helped you most in your musical journey?
There’s a high level of competition for this title as we tend to do everything with DIY involving whoever we know that can help!
The project is a wholesome selection of those closest to us.
Your latest release is 'Money Talks'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
“Money Talks” is a response to the cost-of-living crisis/climate change combo we’re all facing, and the fact that everyone with enough money to fix things is too busy building spaceships and ruining social media giants to do anything useful.
In terms of unusual events during its creation, our usual drummer Leo Mollon got injured the night before recording by having a business sized amount of coffee fall on him. As a result, we had to call on the absolute superhero that is Jonny Brister to fill in on drums last minute. He did a phenomenal job! Leo now works somewhere else.
What social issues are you most passionate about?
Well, we’ve also got a song on our upcoming record called “Why are there billionaires?” so I guess the distribution of wealth feels front of mind at the moment. Genuine question though, who needs that much money?!
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest musical trends?
We’re London-based so it’s easy to see loads of phenomenal live music. Scanning Spotify is an important step too (but if you’re doing that, buy the vinyl!).
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
Haha. Literally nothing hidden! We’re very much wearing our hearts on our sleeves all the time with this project. Our first EP was very much about anxiety and medication, this one is much more outwards facing but similarly honest and direct.
What’s an average day like for you?
“Seven a.m., waking up in the morning, Gotta be fresh, gotta go downstairs, Gotta have my bowl, gotta have cereal…”
An average day involves working hectic jobs and doing music after as a form of therapy. One of us plays guitar whilst the other asks questions. We keep going until someone cries then charge ourselves $400 for the hour.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans.
Our fans are important to us! Our Instagram is a hotbed for catfishing spambots messaging us to advertise gardening gloves… They’re pretty cool once you get to know them.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Please don't follow our footsteps. Please follow our instagram.
What are your plans for the future?
Our big future plan is to release our full EP in the next few months and rope in some friends for a live show. The single has been brilliantly received; we just need some extra hands to be able to play it live!