Squid believes their best work comes from being confusing, says Guitar.com.
Brighton-based band Squid has been making waves with their unique blend of jazz, art, and rock music. With an unconventional approach to genre conventions, the band consists of lead singer and drummer Ollie Judge, guitarists Louis Borlase and Anton Pearson, bassist Laurie Nankivell, and multi-instrumentalist Arthur Leadbetter. The band members sat down with Guitar.com to discuss their latest album, Cowards, and their penchant for pushing boundaries and experimenting with their sound.
The album’s title, Cowards, may seem contradictory to their bold and adventurous musical style, but it reflects the thematic content of the songs. Cowards features nine tracks that delve into the lives of charismatic, sociopathic characters with malicious intentions. Lead single, Crispy Skin, draws inspiration from the futuristic novel Tender Is The Flesh, exploring themes of consumption and hedonism. However, the band is quick to point out that their music is not meant to be overtly political. According to Pearson, they are more interested in exploring different characters, moods, and environments, allowing their music to speak in a more nuanced and abstract manner.
Despite being a challenging and experimental album, Cowards is a follow-up to the band’s previous releases, O Monolith and Bright Green Field. Squid’s creative process is enriched by collaborations with various artists on the album, including Clarissa Connelly, Tony Njoku, Rosa Brook, Zands Duggan, and the Ruisi Quartet, known for their work with Johnny Greenwood. While the band embraces collaboration, they also maintain a sense of familiarity and comfort within their creative process. Pearson notes that their approach to recording Cowards was not intentionally different, as the band was satisfied with the song structures and arrangements from the start.
The album-making process for Cowards was marked by communal jam sessions and a careful selection of ideas and arrangements over an extended period. Squid was keen on preserving delicate moments in their music, allowing for space and silence between notes and parts. By exploring various variations and details and letting the best ideas naturally emerge, the band was able to create a cohesive and captivating album that showcases their growth and confidence as musicians.
For Squid, the essence of their music lies in the organic and evolving nature of their creative process. By embracing confusion, complexity, and experimentation, the band continues to challenge traditional notions of genre and style. With Cowards, Squid invites listeners on a journey into their intricate and multifaceted musical world, where unpredictability and innovation reign supreme.