Portico

Photo: Phil Sharp
 

How did you guys meet?
Myself and Jack have known each other since we were kids. We met Duncan in London through a friend of Jack's called Nick Mulvey.

What jobs/study were you doing before the band took the lead and how has it influenced what you make?
Two of us were doing teacher assistant jobs working in schools for disabled children. It hasn't really influenced our music but has made us very thankful to be doing what we're doing.

You used to busk, any weird stories from those experiences and what was the transition to signed life like?
You meet many weird and wonderful people on the street. One lady did fire breathing to our music once. Being signed gets you off of the streets and into studios to properly record your music, which is nice.

What balance do you strike between electronic and analogue?
In making music you’re not really confining yourself too much to these parameters. If a track wants to be fully electronic then so be it, and vice versa. We just go with the flow, really.

Who or what do you get your inspiration from?
Films, books, music, life experiences and nature. A documentary/film called Nostalgia for the Light by Patricio Guzman really inspired our latest album.

You have some interesting song titles. How do you decide on them? What’s your favourite?
The instrumental titles were mostly arbitrary but with the songs they had more literal meanings. I like the title Memory of Newness in which Jamie Woon sings.

What have been the standout moments in your musical career so far?
This latest album.

How is it being signed to Ninja Tune? Do you get to drink tea with Mr Scruff?
Been signed to Ninja feels very homely. We haven't had tea with Mr Scruff yet, but we do get free Ninja Tune tea mugs, which is nice.



Who’s your typical fan?
Everyone, anyone.

What’s the dynamic like between you lot?
Like three dictators at times, but there's a lot of love.

How has the change been since losing your fourth member?
It has been a cathartic experience but we're beginning to find our identity as a group again.

How has your style changed?
It’s done a U-turn from instrumental music inspired by jazz and minimalism, to song-based explorations of ambient textures and pop.

What other cool places have you played?
We played in an amphitheatre looking over the sea in Sette for Gilles Peterson's worldwide music festival, that was cool.

You ever been to Nottingham before?
I've played in Nottingham quite a few times. The last time was on Halloween - I feared for my life.

You’ve worked with the likes of Jamie Woon, and Jon Newman (Alt-J). Is collaboration something that’s important to you as a band?
It's been a special process as we hadn't really done a project like this before, we may or may not do it again. But it’s so important that it shouldn’t overshadow creating a new piece of work. 

Do you seek out other artists to work with or wait for them to come to you?
A bit of both. With all three singers on this album we all had a mutual appreciation of each other's work, so when we asked it was quite natural.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
D'Angelo

Anything else you’d like to say?
Big up Nottingham, we’re looking forward to playing there. Always good people and a good crowd.

Portico will be playing Rock City Basement on Saturday 25 April at 6.30pm, courtesy of Farmyard. You can buy tickets here.

Portico website