The band was in the middle of their weekly Wednesday hangout at their London headquarters when they got the call from Rolling Stone UK. The band (vocalist Benji Gibson, bassist Deon Graham, drummer Tom Parkin, guitarists Jesse Jaquet-Cretides and Tommaso Medica) is a warehouse in east London that houses a number of artists and multidisciplinary creators. I am active in
“I have no idea how it didn’t get taken over by apartments,” Gibson admits, appreciating his good fortune and good fortune to still have a completely DIY space in such a central location in 2024. From this space, the band also began hosting special live events (affectionately called “hangs”) for their fans, which became a word-of-mouth phenomenon. “That's the best seat in the house,” Gibson said with a smile, pointing to the double-decker sofa that proved to be the perfect crowd-surfing launchpad for band and fans alike.
You have to see it in person to fully understand, but the chaos is perfectly captured in the video for the band's debut single “Hotline,” in which Gibson writhes around in the crowd while singing this shocking indie hit. is singing.
Ahead of the release of their new single this month, the band will be meeting online, shortly afterwards to discuss their IRL-centric approach, the future of their “Hung,” and their already completed debut album.
How did you all come to meet me?
Gibson: Me and Tommy linked up through Instagram and then we started writing songs together and realized we needed to form a band. I found Jesse on my For You page and he had already released a bunch of terrible guitar songs. I just sent him a message. It was all strangely easy.
We then met up at Pirates Studios in Dalston on January 2, 2023, and we immediately hit it off really well. I moved into this space in April.
After you met, how long did it take you to decide what kind of band you wanted to be in?
Gibson: Just jamming and playing a lot live, that was a huge source of information. Basically, now is the time to decide what to release. Whatever we're slapping live, we'll release.
How early on did you realize you wanted “Hang” to be an integral part of Beeworld?
Jaquet-Cretide: That was pretty quick! We loved the space and decided to do something very different and very human here.
Are these in-person focused events a response to meeting you all and to the current mainstream way of discovering music online?
Gibson: Of course. We wanted to do something very present and very real. It also means you don't have to play small venues or deal with sound engineers.
Graham: “Oh, would you like to hear yourself play?” Try again! '
How would you explain “The Hang” to someone who hasn't gotten off it yet?
Graham: You sign up online to be selected, but not everyone who RSVPs will be able to participate. Well then, you're in luck! – When you get here, someone from the band will greet you, put your name on a list and take you to our room. The actual space itself is a warehouse and is huge. To walk you through it, it's more like a party or gathering than a gig.
Parkin: We all get together and then we all go to the pub.
Gibson: It's great to see so many people come by themselves. It's great that we were able to create a space where people can do that.
Is the show pretty loose?
Graham: We always play unfinished ideas and parts of new songs. On the last song, we were in the middle of the song and Benji told everyone to stop and just said, “You know what? “I have an idea!” So we talked about it, finished the song, and worked on it further based on the actual response. It makes sense in the studio as well as in the room.
Gibson: Sounds like a lot of jam! When I play a song on “Hang,” it always ends up being about two minutes longer.
What else is coming up this year?
Gibson: The album is almost finished, but I'm still writing new songs every week, so that may change.
And how does the album sound?
Graham: Everything. I'm talking about folk, I'm talking about electronic.
Gibson: If you like, imagine Mumford & Sons through the lens of Daft Punk…