This Many Boyfriends: "Being in a band doesn't make you special"

With “you love pop songs about love more than being in love in the first place”, forming the opening lyric to their debut album, Leeds five-piece This Many Boyfriends are on a quest to bring the fun element back to indie pop music - and they’re not about to start taking anything too seriously.

With their debut Ryan Jarman (The Cribs) produced album set for release next week and a UK tour to follow, we thought we’d have a little catch up with Daniel, Richard, Laura, Ben and Tom, and find out more about their mission. In our somewhat playful chat we unearth their love for regional cheeses, Tom’s space aspirations and talk the serious matter of pretension in music. Hell, we even get some dating tips.

You’re about to release your self-titled debut album on October 8th so I’m going to cut to the chase; in such times of economic crisis why should we part with our hard earned cash and buy it?

Daniel: Because it isn't terrible, and it means we could make another one I guess.

Richard: Well it's ten good pop songs with big choruses and catchy riffs. There's not much of that about at the moment elsewhere is there?

Laura: What else are you gunna spend your hard earned cash on?

Ben: Buy a 12" copy to decorate your flat with and then illegally download it to actually hear it. It's also very good and will be just long enough to get ready to go out with your mates to, and get you in the mood for mischief.

Tom: Because it will cheer you up more than putting £9 towards your pension.

You previously published a fanzine alongside single ‘Starling’. If you had a gigantic megastar budget and could do anything in terms of promotion for the album, what would you do?

Daniel: Worldwide tour would be sweet.

Richard: My face. BIG. On the side of a bus that regularly goes past my workplace!

Laura: We’re really lucky that Angular let us do things like the fanzine. If we had a massive budget I’d get some skywriting.

Ben: Tattoo a QR code onto the face of your child. 

Tom: Write 'THIS MANY BOYFRIENDS!!!' on the moon.

The album has an all-inclusive feel to it and gives you the idea you’re being accepted into a very special This Many Boyfriends club. Is being an ‘approachable’ band and a band that gives something back to the fans important to you?

Daniel: I guess, just trying to be good is the best way to give back I think.

Richard: Yeah of course, but I don't see it as being approachable or anything as grand as that! We are just being normal people, because that's what we are. Being in a band doesn't make you special. One of our dear friends is a doctor who saves lives, kind of puts being in a band into perspective.

You’re a very fun band and you make incredibly catchy indie pop. Looking at your peers, do you think some people in the industry take themselves far too seriously?

Daniel: No, and if they do it doesn't really bother me. People who are shit but reckon they are good though, that's something else. I am not discounting us from that group either.

Richard: Definitely. As I said above, making music is not rocket science and doesn't make you any better than the people who listen to your music. I think there is a lot of pomposity in music, going back to Prog Rock and right up to incredibly 'serious' new bands like Alt-J. Pop music is not a science, it's not even an art, it's just something friends do together for the occasional joy of other people.

Laura: Most definitely.

Ben: Yep. It'd be nice to go back to the 70s and 80s where pop music was daft, colourful, humorous and pop stars were actually genuinely odd and unique. Most of them now look like they are already embarking on the career in sales which they are destined for, and would actually be good at.

Tom: Being in a band is not a serious job. Being a doctor or military insurgent is a serious job.

Where do you stand on this somewhat tedious idea that “guitar music is dead”?

Daniel: People who say that have crap riffs.

Richard: It's silly. I mean it might not be bothering the charts as much as it did but the world has changed and you have to accept that. Granted there is a possibility that people just aren't making good enough music and are trying to blame the rise of electronic music. If our LP doesn't sell it's not Rihanna's fault, it's ours.

Laura: The guitar is going the same way as the lute.

Now, due to a few line-up changes over the years, some might have you down as divas. We of course know you’re not, but if you were, what would be your ridiculous rider requirements? And more importantly what colour M&M’s would you have us take out?

Daniel: Vanilla vodka, I love that stuff. 

Richard: A selection of Brew Dog bottled beer. Yum.

Laura: Pie.

Ben: A selection of regional cheeses.

Tom: I would demand the dressing room smell of rosemary and no red M&M's, Don't you know who I am???

You recently played a gig in London’s ‘The Old Blue Last’, how did you find the whole London experience? Sometimes it can be hard for Northern bands to get a look in down there, is this something you’ve experienced?

Daniel: It was good, the crowd were really good. We've never really struggled in London, our label is based there so that helps .

Richard: It was amazing! The crowd were very responsive and fun. A great experience. We play London quite a bit and it's always great. I think they like Northerners really, especially when we make a joke of it!

Laura: We actually like playing in London a lot, we always have a good time. And Old Blue Last was no exception, it was a great gig.

You’re about to set out on your first UK headline tour, how are you feeling about that? You’ve got a big Northern following so how do you plan to win over the rest of the country?

Daniel: With some good shows hopefully, and people get a chance to listen to all of our songs before they come as the LP will be out so they can sing along.

Richard: Just keep doing the same thing! We love being Northern but we don't feel separated from the rest of the country. It's going to be super fun.

Laura: We’re really excited. Touring is a lot of fun as you get to see some new places and meet some new people and it’s way more fun than playing at festivals where everyone is just waiting for the band on after you, or in the same places to the same people again and again.

Ben: By being extremely charming and ever so sycophantic. 

Tom: Everyone knows the North is years ahead of the South in terms of music, but I'm confident our Southern friends will catch up quickly.

I’m expecting glitter and confetti, will I be disappointed?

Daniel: Yes.

Richard: Maybe. Depends if we remember to bring any.

Laura: When we went on tour in February I made loads of confetti. Like actually cut paper into thousands of pieces. It was a lot more tedious than I anticipated. I’ll just buy some confetti like a normal person this time round. Also there’s still glitter all over my house after that tour too.

And finally, can you help me find a boyfriend?

Daniel: No.

Richard: Um, hang out around the section where our record is in independent record shops. Some real good looking folks there.

Laura: Four eligible bachelors right here.

Ben: I can supply you with a list of reputable website addresses, yes.

Tom: I'm your wingman Ace.

www.thismanyboyfriends.com

Interview: Michelle Lloyd

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