Over a Zoom call from the U.K., Everything Everything's frontman Jonathan Higgs says, “I can’t believe I’m talking to somebody in India about Ronnie Pickering. It’s crazy.
”Higgs is referring to one of the inspirations behind their song “The End Of The Contender” from their 2024 album Mountainhead. Ronnie Pickering was a local and national legend in Britain after a viral video nearly a decade ago, thanks to his road rage.But even if you didn’t know Pickering, “The End Of The Contender” is wrapped in memorable melodies (“It’s all about the Benjamins,” Higgs sings) along with a story about male egos and feeling lost in a fast-paced digital world.
That’s part of the allure of Everything Everything’s music – even a hyperlocal reference is put across in a way that resonates universally, going over experimental songwriting that had first been inspired by the likes of Radiohead and now lives in its own sonic space, between moody rock riffs to dancey detours and more.
After releasing Mountainhead – their seventh album – earlier this year, Everything Everything went on to tour the U.K. and Australia, plus head to the U.S. with seasoned British rockers Keane. Now, to close off the year, the band comprising Higgs, bassist Jeremy Pritchard, guitarist Alex Robertshaw and drummer Michael Spearman are making their India debut at the second edition of music festival Bandland in Bengaluru, on Nov. 23, 2024. The event is produced and promoted by BookMyShow Live. Higgs says, “We got an email from somebody who is involved with the festival, saying that they were a big fan of us. so we absolutely jumped at the chance. It’s an amazing opportunity. We’d never been there, and it’s somewhere we’ve always wanted to go.”
In an interview with Rolling Stone India ahead of their first visit to the country, Higgs spoke about their new album Mountainhead, the universality of their songs and how emotions drive most of the writing. Excerpts:
This story is from the November 2024 edition of RollingStone India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2024 edition of RollingStone India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DANCE-FLOOR BLISS AND THE SEARCH FOR (POST-) HUMAN CONNECTION
Over the course of roughly a decade, CARIBOU, the electronic-leaning project from Canadian musician and composer Dan Snaith, has released intricate, sonically inventive records that cradle rhythm and history. On \"Home,\" from 2020's Suddenly, he coos softly alongside a frenetic flip of Gloria Barnes' 1971 single of the same name. There, the subtle cracks and gestures in his voice manage to breathe life into the digitally-manipulated sample. Caribou's music has so far thrived on this quality — Snaith's seemingly boundless musical curiosity and his ability to crystalize big ideas into euphoric moments of dance-floor bliss. It's why his choice to use artificial intelligence on his vocals for his latest album, Honey, feels like a misstep. Here, Snaith's voice is transformed in character and identity, at times creating revelatory moments, like on \"Come Find Me,\" where he's reimagined as a treacly-toned young woman, though in small enough doses for it to work. Elsewhere, like on the rap-adjacent \"Campfire,\" where Snaith renders himself as the sort of rapper you might hear on a Caribou track (think Definitive Jux vibes), the concept breaks down.
Get Closer: The Intimate Gaze of Films at NYFF62
A second intimacy arises between our lives and those unfolding on screen... and in setting their sights on exploring ordinary lives at close range, filmmakers at this year's New York Film Festival deepened that intimacy to great effect
Meet the Women DJs Shaping Global EDM
For years, men have led the electronic dance music (EDM) scene, but lately, women DJs have been shaking things up in every sense. These talented artists aren't just challenging gender norms—they're redefining the art of music production and live performance. With fresh styles and creativity, they're leaving a lasting impact on the EDM world, proving that the future of dance music is vibrant, inclusive, and thrilling.
Is India's Music Festival Season : Privilege Only Few Can Afford?
With soaring ticket prices, are Inda's music festivals slipping out of reach for the average fan?
Unpacking the Excitement and Inspiration of SXSW Sydney
The festival underscored the essential role of music as a universal language shaped by local culture
How Earthgang Fought the Algorithm and Won
Atlanta duo discuss their new album, Perfect Fantasy, working with Pharrell and Snoop, and staying independent
Foster The People: 'Fame can literally shorten your life-it's intense, and it gets in your head'
We caught up with the iconic indiepop icon Mark Foster to talk 2024's Paradise State of Mind, creative influences, and the personal journey of an artist
Everything Everything on Their India Debut and Writing 'Emotionally Interesting Music
British art-rock band's vocalist-guitarist Jonathan Higgs talks about performing at Bandland 2024 in Bengaluru and having die-hard fans who'll talk to them about politics as well as personal stories
INDIA'S HIP HOP MOVEMENT GAINS MOMENTUM
SPOTIFY IS PUTTING INDIA'S DIVERSE HIP-HOP VOICES AND REAL STORIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT
TINASHE 'I'VE BEEN IN THE GAME 10 YEARS.I'M NOT NEW TO THIS.I'M TRUE TO THIS'
The singer reached a new peak when her song ‘Nasty’ went wildly viral. Now, Tinashe is energized and ready for more
