Phil Taylor caught up with local psychedelic rockers FAT BAMBOO ahead of the release of a new single and their biggest headline show to date.
Phil Taylor caught up with local psychedelic rockers FAT BAMBOO ahead of the release of a new single and their biggest headline show to date.
FAT BAMBOO have only just celebrated their first birthday, having formed in January 2022. Their first headline gig, at The Chameleon, happened only two months later and was a sell out. Since then, they band have gigged around Nottingham, sold out a headline show at London’s Waiting Room, appeared at the Dot to Dot and Beat The Streets, and had their second single Sahara Time played on BBC Introducing. On 30th March they release a self-titled single, before headlining The Bodega on 1st April with support from GOODGOODBYE and The Avion.
FAT BAMBOO are Sam Shaw (SS), Matt Davis (MD), Alex Hill (AH) and Connor Horgan (CH).
This combination is completely fresh, and we seem to have hit the sweet spot
How did FAT BAMBOO form, and why?
AH: It began pretty simply with three of us meeting for a long overdue reconnection and jam in the basement; there wasn’t a motive in particular, we just wanted to play some music together. Just in the first few hours we ended up writing some of the favourite tracks that we perform.
MD: We have known one another for quite some time, all through different routes. It's not the first time some of us have performed together either. But this combination is completely fresh, and we seem to have hit the sweet spot.
SS: I’ve known Matt since school and Alex and Connor since Uni. Me and Matt always wanted to make a band but never got the chance when we were younger. I’d played some great gigs with Alex and Connor in my old band, Sundaze. After lockdown I wanted to start something new, so at the start of 2022 I got me, Alex, and Matt together and we met up and jammed. It went so well that we just wanted to do it as much as we could! Connor joined soon after and this took our sound to a new level. That’s when we became FAT BAMBOO!
CH: I was a latecomer to FAT BAMBOO, although I had known the others in the band for some time. After the first practice with the guys, I felt this was something I wanted to be involved with.
It went so well that we just wanted to do it as much as we could
Do you share any musical background or inspirations?
MD: We share a common love of psychedelia spanning the ages from the 60s to the present day, with each member carrying their own strength within certain eras. We love our differences in musical tastes and think it benefits our songwriting by challenging ‘traditional’ psychedelic music with the contemporary.
CH: I think we all have an individual taste in music it just happens that the noise we make sounds “psych” to people
SS: I’d say a common thread between our music tastes is music that sounds unique or has character in some way.
What exactly does “psychedelic” mean to you as a genre?
SS: The forward thinking, unique sound of psychedelic music suits our vibe. “Psychedelic” is a very abstract word which can be used to describe many different types of music, from shoegaze to folk. We often blend styles together within songs and try to create something totally new - this reflects our love of psychedelic music in all of its forms.
We share a common love of psychedelia spanning the ages from the 60s to the present day
What is your songwriting process?
CH: It usually seems to start with the music first. Which develops into something more …
SS: A lot of our songs were born during improvised jams, then we’d work on the structure until we felt it was complete. This is a very organic and interesting way to write music which I really enjoy!
Our self-titled single, FAT BAMBOO is a sound that perfectly encapsulates what we’re trying to do as a band. The song fell out of us so effortlessly and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
Let’s talk about your live shows, which are known to be pretty exciting. How do you bring energy to your sets?
MD: We want to give those who come to our shows the best time possible and want to create a valuable visual performance as well as musical. Also, we just enjoy letting loose and having fun in the moment after putting in all the hard work in practices and behind the scenes. At this point we have perfected our pre-gig alcohol consumption to the millilitre. We stick to this religiously.
CH: Six pints
SS: I made the decision at the start of the band to not drink for our gigs to see what it was like - I feel so much more energy and focus on stage for this even if I do miss sinking pints beforehand!
A lot of our songs were born during improvised jams, then we’d work on the structure until we felt it was complete
And have you developed any pre-gig rituals?
MD: East Midlands Trains
SS: Transcendental meditation.
CH: Six pints.
AH: Imodium.
What’s been your favourite gig so far?
AH: Supporting Feet at Rescue Rooms in October. The crowd was thick, pulsating and interactive. Overall the experience was exactly what we look for in a musical performance.
SS: My favourite gig so far was supporting Sancho Panza at Rescue Rooms - this was our second time playing Rescue Rooms and it felt like we really reached a new level. I felt so relaxed and happy up there and I was so proud of our performance! It was great to play alongside our good friends GOODGOODBYE as well as Sancho Panza - so much fun.
CH: My favourite was when we played Rough Trade one time. The sound guy had his fingers in his ears at the end. You know who you are!
It was great to play alongside our good friends GOODGOODBYE as well as Sancho Panza - so much fun
On 1st April, there’s your headline show…
SS: We’re so excited to be headlining The Bodega! It’s our biggest gig yet and one we’ve been wanting to do since we started the band. It’s a great milestone for us coming one year after we began FAT BAMBOO, and we’re so happy to have GOODGOODBYE and The Avion supporting us for it.
Why did you choose those bands?
SS: We’ve always been fans of GOODGOODBYE and have been friends with them for a long time through the Notts music scene and nights out. They’re very cool dudes and brilliant musicians. We met The Avion at Beat The Streets this year when they played an amazing show at The Bodega. We’re looking forward to seeing both of these bands’ sets, and glad to have them on the bill.
You’ve already done so much in a pretty short space of time. Do you have any dream goals?
CH: I’d personally love to work with David Byrne or Edwyn Collins.
SS: A dream of mine is to work with Kevin Parker. I’d also be over the moon to collaborate with Iggy Pop or Stephen Malkmus. A dream gig would be playing Red Rocks in California or Rock City - I’d be very happy with those!
AH: A collab with Jameson’s Whisky would be cool!
It’s a great milestone for us coming one year after we began FAT BAMBOO
What else is on the horizon for 2023, and beyond?
MD: The rest of the year we’ll continue to record, perform and inspire the masses. We’ll be playing The Bodega again on 3rd May, supporting The Dream Machine, and we also have a few more exciting unannounced dates booked in…
SS: I’m looking forward to playing festivals in the summer, and touring at some point. It would be amazing to do a world tour one day, or even just play a gig abroad! Getting our music pressed on a 12” is something I hope we get to do as well.
AH: We have more studio time booked in for April to get building an album to be released before the end of the year.
CH: I just want an album out innit, that’d be pretty cool.
MD: And play to as many new ears as possible.
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