Long Read // "It matters if people want to pull it into their lives and soundtrack their lives with it" - The Amazons are riding the wave of their brand-new album ‘21st Century Fiction’
The Amazons are riding the wave of their brand-new album ‘21st Century Fiction’, with the band receiving the plaudits they deserve.
The group, who have plied their trade for many years now, seem to be at the very peak of their powers. Their recent studio record boasts some of their very best work to date. Amongst their busy schedule of taking the album to some of the UK’s best-known record stores, lead singer and front man Matt Thomson kindly took the time to talk to me about ‘21st Century Fiction’, from the conception of the record to the bringing to life of songs at live shows.
Being on day six of their lengthy in-store tour at the time of our conversation, it’s safe to say the band were well and truly amongst the beautiful chaos that comes with releasing an album of such stature as ‘21st Century Fiction’.
Immediately, it felt apt to discuss the feelings that come with releasing such a brilliant album. After having it, promoting it and building to the point of releasing it, I imagined that there would be a range of emotions that come with setting it free into the world. Matt Thomson stated that: “Before we released it the only thing that mattered was how the band felt about it. And now I can’t pretend when you share music and you put it out in the world to be received and listened to and engaged with, it does matter how people feel about it.”
He went on to explain that: “It matters if people want to pull it into their lives and soundtrack their lives with it- whether they’re on the train or in the car or they’re going to uni or suffering a bereavement or it’s just Saturday night and they want to put on some music when they’re hanging out with their friends.”
This highlighted something which perhaps best defines The Amazons as a group: their undeniable relatability and connection with their fan base. It’s clear that they care about what makes people feel, and they embody a range of feelings and emotions throughout the new record.
Their charting success with ‘21st Century Fiction’ just goes to show how far and wide the band’s music has resonated with people. The care and connection through the music is mutual between band and fans, and it was brilliant to hear the front man being so sincere and acknowledging his and the band’s desires to reach people on a deep level with their music.
The main reason behind the group’s likeability and connection with their fans is perhaps due to their persistence on the live scene. Over the years The Amazons have established themselves as a top live outfit. Their run of in-store shows offered fans an intimate experience where they could digest the new music in stripped back form. Not only was this something that fans loved, but Thomson also expressed how important it had been for himself and the group. He said that: “That’s been the best thing about the in-store week: every time we do it, you just learn completely new stories about really detailed memories that people have around your music, that you have no part of at all.” Thomson went on to explain that: “That’s the actual magic of it: where our story ends with the song and someone else’s story begins.”
This feels extremely important in the case of The Amazons and ‘21st Century Fiction’. As shown by the band's live shows- crowds love them. They seem to pick up the music and cherish it. Thomson explained that the reaction to the in-store shows had been: “Encouraging, fulfilling and kind of re-aligning”, explaining that the shows re-iterate why the band love doing what they do, saying that they would feel “restless” if they didn’t perform their new music in the stripped-back form at intimate shows. Thomson highlighted that the band “adore playing- that is the first and defining love of The Amazons- is just to play.”
Their love of performing and bringing to life of their music shines so bright when the band take to the stage. It’s clear that playing for and connecting with people is something that they hold dear to their hearts.
Of course, since our conversation came at the time of the release of ‘21st Century Fiction’, I wanted to delve into the record and its conception. As a body of work which flows so effortlessly from track to track- telling a real story throughout- it felt apt to discuss whether this fluidity was a conscious decision. Thomson explained that it was: “Very, very conscious. Very purposeful. It was something that we were determining before we went into the studio and during.” He explained that this time around, they were truly informed by their favourite records. He disclosed his love of bands like Arcade Fire, who achieved similar flowing bodies of work.
Their efforts to create a record which creates a real atmosphere truly show. ‘21st Century Fiction’ is an album which effectively expresses a range of emotions and has the ability to impact listeners on a huge scale. Thomson expressed the importance of “Having something to say”, which feels really important. The Amazons have something to say, and they express it brilliantly.
In terms of bringing the album to life, it was brilliant to hear the front man expressing gratitude to those involved. Of course, core members Chris Alderton and Elliot Briggs were central to the conception of the album. Thomson also explained the importance of a number of people who he described as “The pillars of 21st Century Fiction”.
He expressed his thanks for Pete Hutchings who produced a great deal of the album. He went on to thank Ella McRob, whose voice features on some of the album’s biggest tracks. Her addition to the sound truly transcended the record, creating a huge, arena filling feeling. This huge sound was added to by another person who Thomson highlighted: Quentin LaChapelle, who collaborated with the band on string arrangements. This, coupled with the addition of McRobb’s stunning voice, made for some of the most anthemic tracks we’ve heard from The Amazons.
George Le Page was another who Thomson expressed a huge deal of gratitude for. As the drummer for much of the record, he did not fall short one bit in filling the shoes of the band’s previous drummer. Thomson explained that: “He really brought himself to this record and was nothing but ferocious on the drums.”
The front man’s gratitude for his band, and their collaborators, was so refreshing to hear. It’s brilliant to hear a band be so proud of what they have achieved. Their pride with ‘21st Century Fiction’ is well warranted. The record is something special, and fans will hope to hear more as the band continue to grow.
Towards the end of our conversation, it seemed apt to ask Matt Thomson the old cliché of his favourite song from the record, or any which he had fond memories of creating.
His response was: “I have really great memories, honestly, about ‘My Blood’.” He went to explain how cool it had been recording for three days in Royal Blood’s studio. Their enjoyment of that experience really shows in the track. The stature of the song itself is formidable. It was one of the first glimpses of the new material, and it showed that The Amazons were serious about their project.
Concluding our conversation, we discussed the band’s exciting summer plans, with a focus on their upcoming appearance at Glastonbury.
Thomson explained that: “It’s been a long road back to Glastonbury for us. In 2017 we felt a little unprepared for the opportunity, to be really frank.”
He went on to say that: “We were straight out of the bar circuit, where it was just us four and a driver. We had no experience, we were young and raw, and we were put on the John Peel stage.”
Their self-criticism is perhaps why the band have gone on to achieve such brilliant things: their hunger and desire is apparent in the way that they perform live and muster up tracks in the studio.
Thomson explained the band’s excitement to return to Glastonbury, explaining that he felt there is: “A narrative arc and a redemptive quality to this opportunity in June.”
Fans will be eager to catch the band at the festival. With their experience and arsenal of music that they possess, The Amazons are sure to impress all those who see them at Glastonbury.
With that, our conversation came to a close. It was brilliant to hear about the band- their new music, their touring and their plans. If The Amazons weren’t already on your watch list, they should be. The band show no signs of slowing down, so get involved with them.
Words by Matthew Caslin
