A chat with five of the Brighton eight-piece, who have already released two albums and one EP after forming just over a year ago.

For the first in our series of quickfire Q & As from Rotterdam’s Left of The Dial festival, we found a skatepark and chatted to 5 members of Brighton eight-piece big long sun. Formed just over a year ago, they have already released two albums and an EP, each varying dextrously between psychedelia, wonk-pop, funky R&B, and shivering new wave. 

Just three months on from their latest album, new single ‘my stars aligning’ – released via State51 distribution – offers yet another fresh perspective on their prolific formula of concise tune-smithing and burrowing earworms. Its colourful sense of psychedelic toyland wonder, packed in alongside an Alex G/Malice K-esque yearning, once again reveals an outfit of rigorous, forwarding-looking intent. In a musical climate where bands are so often holding back their treasures for the right time to strike, it’s refreshing to have an act like a big long sun flying so freely.

So take it away Jamie, Ocean, Bobby, Ollie and Malte (Mina, Zosia and Tom were sadly unable to attend).

What do you think of Left of The Dial?

Jamie: We like the festival!

Ollie: Everyone is so lovely! They’ve made us feel very welcome. We’re very grateful for that

Jamie: Very accommodating People. Kind.

Ollie: Interested mashed dinners. It had Endives in it.

Jamie: I.e N-Dubz. N-Dubz and carrots

Ollie: And lots of potato.

Ocean: I keep smiling at people and they smile back at me.

How have your shows been?

Jamie: They’ve been amazing. Very good.

Ollie: We played in a church. The first time I’ve ever played in a holy building. And I hope it wasn’t blasphemous.

Ocean: Lekker.

Explain?

Jamie: It’s a feeling.

Ocean: I’ll give you a hint, it’s to do with your mouth and your tummy.

So, big long sun, if you had to describe what music you make, but to your Grandma, how would you describe it?

Jamie: Really good and nice music.

Ocean: This is something I’ve struggled with, so no comment.

Malte: Church music.

Ollie: Yeah it’s choral. Just like the good ol’ days.

Bobby: I’d say confusing, maybe. But she’d probably like it.

Have any you got Grandmas that have listened to big long sun?

Jamie: My Grandma wants me to make country music because she thinks lots of people would like it. I don’t know if she’s listened to what we’re doing or not, but I assume she wouldn’t enjoy it very much.

Ocean: My Grandma’s only seen photographs of us playing and she’s quite afraid already so I don’t know if I want to do that to her.

Ollie: My nan was really into T-Rex and stuff, so I think she’ll really love it. She’s like an Irish mad woman. I love her.

Which fruit is most likely to get an ASBO?

Bobby: Pineapple? Spike edges?

Jamie: I can see the logic. I’d say maybe a fig. I’ve always been suspicious of the natural shape of a fig.

Ollie: Obviously anything that’s shaped like a ‘member’. Cucumbers. Bananas. It’s just not safe for work these days. Everything’s being censored. ‘Free them’, I say.

If you could have any celebrity come to your show, who would you choose?

Malte: Iggy pop.

Ocean: What if he starts grinding on people? I don’t think I’d like that.

Ollie: I wouldn’t ASBO Iggy Pop. 

Jamie: Nigella Lawson. There was a while where we were just following Nigella Lawson.

Ollie: The first time I ever saw someone make a Shakshuka was Nigella Lawson. I’ll never forget that. It’s like the breakfast of champions. Also, Kenji from Youtube. Malte loves that guy.

If you were a shape what shape would you be?

Jamie: Trapezium. I think it looks cool. It doesn’t really know what it is. Its name is like Latin. It’s got a lot of clout, as a shape.

Bobby: Circle, I think. Wheelable. I quite like, I think. Simple as.

Ollie: A diamond. Pretty Classic. They are forever. 

What’s your ride or die snack?

Bobby: I’m saying Scampi fries. 

Ollie: I second that. I haven’t had scampi in years.

Bobby: It’s not actually scampi. Zingy. Salty.

Malte: Bobby has the best answers.

Jamie: I don’t think any of us could challenge him.

Ocean: Bobby Smiles is the best snack.