CULTURE CLUB
ON THE SCENE Homegrown talent Miriam Balanescu meets Lonely the Brave, the Cambridge rockers shaking up the music scene here and beyond for over a decade M any Cambridge locals will be familiar with Lonely the Brave. Formed by five members – Jack Bennett on
vocals, Mark Trotter and Ross Smithwick on guitars, Gavin Edgeley on drums and Andrew Bushen on bass – the band was founded well over a decade ago in 2008. Yet, even as their horizons have broadened far beyond the bounds of our city, the band will forever consider their hometown to be their first port of call. “We grew up in the Cambridge music scene,” says guitarist Mark. “Before Lonely the Brave, most of us were in other local bands for years honing our craft in the Portland Arms, the Man on the Moon and The Boat Race (RIP). It was our very literal musical education, one we are still very proud to consider ourselves part of.” Due to perform at the Junction this month, does returning to the Cambridge circuit feel strange, having come so far? “Not at all, Cambridge is home,” responds Mark. “We still consider ourselves to be a Cambridge band. Playing at home with friends and family is still a brilliant feeling.” With their dense sonic soundscapes and eclectic array of influences, the group has built up a loyal following. Last year, they released their fourth studio album What We Do to Feel and are currently touring it around the country. “Musically, we are all into varied artists and genres,” says Mark. “Personally, my older sister had a huge impact on my musical education. I was very much into more electronic music and considered the idea of bands old hat. Over time, however, bands like REM, Pearl Jam
29 Feb
LOCAL LEGENDS The band will play a homecoming gig at the Junction on leap day – don’t miss it
so we are all very aware of space for each other. Generally, songs tell you when they are ready. Perhaps it’s experience, but trying to shoehorn extra layers or colours to a song that doesn’t need it very quickly becomes apparent. It can be a case of less is more.” Their musical philosophy has also remained rooted. “We only release songs we are proud of and feel represent where we are both personally and as a band at that time,” insists Mark. “There is no ulterior motive for us when it comes to music. We write what we feel we need to, as people and as a band.” While it’s the road and shows for Lonely the Brave for now, Mark teases that their next album is already in the works. Closing our interview, he concludes: “We can’t stand still.”
work as, arriving in the studio each time, the tracks would have evolved and grown in completely different directions to what I had expected. Previously, we would work on tracks until they were finished in a
and Radiohead being blasted through our adjoining bedroom wall had an effect.” The recording of this album was complicated by the fact that not all the band’s members are in one place – with
There is no ulterior motive when it comes to music
live environment and then record; this was a different direction completely for us.” Despite this, their songwriting process has stayed constant and is
deeply collaborative. “Everyone in the band writes musically,” explains Mark. “Usually, we will start with varied amounts of completed framework for a song. We then all add our individual parts. We have grown up together as musicians,
Ross out west and Jack near Manchester. “The album came together with ideas being recorded separately and sent to Jack’s studio. We would then visit mostly independently of each other and add layers to our ideas. This was an exciting way to
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