"The music sweats out of us": Fiction talk to Skiddle ahead of festival season

London quartet Fiction aren’t averse to embracing their feminine-side, but just don’t go calling them a boy-band.

The band are currently working on their debut, where collaboration is high up on the ‘to do’ list. For this indie-pop band ‘ego’ is one thing that stays outside the studio doors. 

Guitarist Nick Barrett invites Jasmine Phull behind the scenes to discover an unaffected band set on getting it right – without the ego.

Fiction is a quartet of males, a band of boys. Would you ever consider yourself a boy band? Or is a term that is too heavily tainted by a perfectly choreographed history of bands before you?

Or even a man band? There’s a weighty history with that phrase and besides we did once try out a female bassist. We happen to all be male, but we’re definitely at ease with our feminine side.

While we’re on the topic, if you didn’t have an instrument to ‘hide’ behind would some ‘side-stepping’ or the like be out of the question?

Well, there is evidence of what happens when we’re without instruments... see our 'Big Things' video.

You’ve got a bevy of festival gigs coming up. Does the way you approach a festival gig differ to the way you’d approach a venue show? Is there more pressure at a festival show?

Festivals are tough to get right. Often you just have a quick line-check and then you’re thrown on stage. We have an awkward set-up, so just plugging in and playing is never really an option. Luckily we have a soundman on board who knows our sound to a tee.

You’re said to be working on your debut album. Is there a particular focus or theme you’re working with? Where are you drawing your inspiration from?

As a band we are very much fans of viewing the album format holistically.We don’t want to just throw together a bunch of songs that have no relation to each other so there is certainly a consistency to the way we are writing at the moment. We’re not working with a specific concept as such but musically there’s a theme emerging.

Does where you’re based have a great impact on the music of Fiction?

Living and growing up in London informs who we are, so inevitably yes. The pressure of trying to survive here means that there’s a tension that must impact on the music - even if it’s subconscious. Plus rehearsing and writing in a boiler room (our studio) means the music sweats out of us.

If you could uproot where would you go?

The countryside would be nice. There’s a feeling of disconnection from nature in the city, adding to an underlying disenchantment in our culture. Some respite would be welcome for a period.

Goals help you progress no matter what your profession. What is the current goal of Fiction? Has that changed since 2010’s goal?

Recording the album and finding some funding is the main goal. Last year's goals were centred around touring and the live sound; this year we’ve lived a more hermit-like existence.

How important is the aesthetic of Fiction?

It’s essential. It’s something we always trying to enhance, be it visually or conceptually.

Do you think collaboration is better than competition or vice versa?

As a group, collaboration is fundamental to create the music. Getting to a point where there’s no ego in the studio is something we’re always aiming to achieve; however, there’s a healthy bit of competition between us, which keeps everyone active.

Last album you listened to?

King Crimson – Three of a Perfect Pair

First album you bought?

Queen - Greatest Hits

Interview by: Jasmine Phull

twitter.com/j_fool

Catch Fiction at Farm Festival 2011 this Summer. Tickets for Farm Festival are available below. 

Tickets are no longer available for this event