"We're making better pop music with each album": Dutch Uncles

Hi Duncan! Where do we find you today and what are you doing?

It's the first day of tour so we're in the van on the way to Newcastle with Francis Lung, discussing possible Bowie covers.

We're absolutely loving the video for 'Flexxin'. Where did you get such great moves?

I don't really know I'm afraid, Our drummer Andy suggested I do a waltz dance and I took it from their really. We hadn't played that song live yet at that point and that's when I usually discover what moves fit the song, so it was quite scary to leave it to the last second.

How did the idea for the video come about, and were you up for it right away or did you need some convincing?

Well the director said it like it was "myself dancing behind an infinity curve". We were concerned as we'd done that before with our previous video for 'Cadenza' - and that didn't exactly pull it off to our taste to be polite about it. But we put faith in it anyhow as we had no other choice, and luckily it worked out, from the colour scheme to the brilliant edit. We're very happy with it!

You've just released your third album Out of Touch in the Wild. Let's talk about that for a bit. First of all, what's the meaning behind the name?

It has a couple of possible meanings, but my favourite is that it makes an explanation towards the cryptic song titles on the album, as I was quite worried about them at first. It would feel like better songwriting to be able to have good lyric titles next time.

There seems to be a bit more consistency to this album than there has been with your previous offerings. Would you agree, and what do you think it's down to? Is it anything to do with the fact that you worked with a producer from the start on this one?

Well, it's probably the producer factor combined with the presence of the string quintet throughout the album, with a little dusting of our developing writing style. When we were listening to other albums such as Kate Bush's Hounds of Love and Tears for Fears' The Hurting we were noticing they had certain motifs in the vocals and the music that never got 'samey'. We haven't taken it to that same extent by any means but we know we can push it more next time; those kind of things really add to the concept of a record. 

With Out Of Touch in the Wild you finally seem to be gaining the radio play and mainstream recognition that you perhaps didn't have previously. Why do you think this is? Do you think it's down to a shift in your sound, or have the music listening public just finally caught up?

Well I think the marimba and xylophone textures of our first single 'Fester' definitely pricked some ears in the radio HQs, but we feel we're making better pop music with each album, so I guess the radio play is a reflection of that.

The album is really interesting lyrically - there are some clear narratives in there about addiction and vices. 'Bellio' and 'Nometo' in particular. What would you say the lyrical themes are, and is a lyrical connection between tracks important?

I think the connection is important when it comes to the writing of the album, and you're writing three songs at a time, and the music as we were saying before is much more coherent.  In terms of themes though, it was never an intention to have addiction and bad habits running throughout, as it could be seen as overtly dark, but its just what felt best at the time. It was kind of our 'difficult' album as its the first one we've written under any time constraint really, so it was rarely an enjoyable experience

You've said that 'Brio' is about the predicament of being caught looking at porn (!) Was that drawn from personal experience?

The setting in my head was personal, but I can't recall it actually happening, I think that's because I would immediately wipe that from memory with drink if it did happen. But it felt good to find a more cheeky approach to the addiction angle, along with 'Flexxin' of course.

'Flexxin' was written right after seeing Prince perform at Hop Farm wasn't it? In what ways did the great man inspire the song? Purely stylistically, or are there any lyrical connections in there?

Stylistically the rhythms are reminiscent to the great purple one's, and it was written soon after seeing him, so when I received the music I felt there was little choice but to step up to the plate and 'Prince' the fuck out on it. But it's written about domestic violence and getting turned on to it, so I'd say it shares as much in common with Prince as it does with Velvet Underground's 'Venus in Furs', which is a potent mix.

You work really quickly for a band - is it right that this whole album only took you two months? Can you tell us a bit about your songwriting process?

The music was recorded in two weeks and the vocal recording was spread over two months (whenever we were available to do it), but it was written in a year basically, which is half the time of our last album. Its not exactly quick though, compared to the 60's 70's and 80's.

Which track - of your entire back catalogue to date - are you most proud of?

'Fester' feels like a great example of adapting, and 'Phaedra' feels the most like a song. 'Feargoo' off the first album felt really accomplished at the time, it's a shame that our fans aren't quite ready for it live though.

What does chart success mean to you?

A challenge, and something we want to make more of a dent in with each album.

Last song you listened to on your iPod?

Interpol, 'Narc'. My ipod is very old and I can't put any more new music on it, but I'm not making excuses as that is still an amazing track from an amazing album.

What's the most incorrect or off-the-mark thing you've read about yourselves?

"Steve Reich demonstrates his dancing skills on the new Dutch Uncles video"

You recently had a gourmet burger named after you. In terms of band merchandise that's pretty excellent. But what would be your ultimate piece of Dutch Uncles merchandise?

I've seen some artists have their own teabags nowadays which is ridiculous, but we'd like to sell our own portable tandoori ovens!

Considering how prolific you are as songwriters, have you started work on the next album yet?

We did start a little something something, but we've decided to sit back and see the full reception of Out of Touch... to help decide an appropriate direction to take.

You've just started a UK tour with some pretty big shows. Is this your biggest tour so far?

Yep.

What are your plans for the rest of the year? Any festivals? Overseas jaunts? Plans to expand your culinary empire?

We'll be playing the Scala (London) on May 2nd and we have a few festivals to announce in good time, but in terms of touring we're just seeing what offers come our way. We're not really in a position to spend money on extravagant touring (support tours never cover their costs), so we'll just sit back 'til the album goes multi-platinum, or even diamond... That would be nice.

Catch Dutch Uncles on the following live dates this month: 

07 Feb, Leeds, Brundenell Social Club

08 Feb, Liverpool, Kazimier

09 Feb, Sheffield, Leadmill

12 Feb, Cardiff, The Moon Club

13 Feb, Brighton, The Green Door Store

14 Feb, London, Hoxton Bar & Kitchen SOLD OUT

15 Feb, Birmingham, Hare & Hounds

16 Feb, Manchester, Gorilla

02 May, London, The Scala

Interview: Jayne Robinson

Dutch Uncles news, events and info

Read more artist interviews