Benedict Watson caught up with Andrew Dawson, bassist of fast-rising indie-rock band Sea Girls, ahead of their upcoming Rock City gig next month...
How are you feeling about the upcoming tour?
Really pumped! Bit nervous, it’s the most songs we’ve ever played for so it’s going to be a challenge, but really looking forward to it.
You’re kicking things off at Rock City, have you ever played there before?
No, we haven’t, but people go on all the time about how it’s a rite of passage!
How did you choose Lauran Hibberd as the support act for the tour?
We’d seen her around the festivals, and she was very nice, and she’s worked with our producer before, so it felt like a good match!
Could you talk us through a day in the life on tour for Sea Girls?
We travel overnight so you wake up on the bus in a new city around 10am, try and make some left-over breakfast from the rider from the night before. Get into the venue around 1pm, then hang around whilst everyone sets up! Do a soundcheck around 3pm or 4pm, have a few beers then find somewhere interesting to have dinner. Then it’s showtime!
What’s your favourite country to tour, apart from the UK?
We had an awesome time in Germany, and the Netherlands is always special because a lot of UK people come out to those shows! Switzerland is an unreal place too.
The whole theme of the album is about your hometown, so supporting the local community in this way is really exciting
Who’s the funniest member of the band when you're on tour?
I think everyone’s pretty funny for different reasons! Oli’s the wittiest, but Henry always does sketches and Rory gets himself into some funny situations!
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Gang of Youths recently, that album is incredible. I really like Tommy Lefroy, Phoebe Bridgers, and the new Snuts album is pretty cool!
What’s your personal favourite Sea Girls song?
Call Me Out was so important to us at the time and kind of started our careers, I’m really enjoying Falling Apart at the moment too, it’s a really challenging bassline.
Falling Apart was recently included on the FIFA 23 soundtrack, was it your dream to have a FIFA song?
Yeah exactly, we all played FIFA growing up and as a kid that’s where you get so much new music. So, we always really wanted to be on it, it’s a privilege to be on FIFA 23.
Speaking of football, could you talk us through the inspiration for the football shirt scheme that you've launched to sponsor grassroots football teams across the country?
It ties in well to the album and what we’re passionate about, the whole theme of the album is about your hometown, so supporting the local community in this way is really exciting!
It’s a privilege to be on FIFA 23
Quickfire Questions
The Strokes or Arctic Monkeys?
The Strokes, that’s really close though!
What’s your dream collaboration?
Phoebe Bridgers.
Which other band would you say your best friends with?
I hung out with KAWALA a fair bit this summer, The Snuts and Alfie Templeman too.
If you were a fruit, which fruit would you be and why?
My go to is a banana, I’m not really sure why! Nothing’s like a banana, it’s got a unique taste, so I’ll go with a banana – unique!
Sea Girls will be coming to Rock City on 17th November 2022.
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