We chat to our co-headliners ahead of the Hard of Hearing Christmas Party at The Victoria this Saturday.

This Saturday (6^th December), we’re throwing our first ever Hard of Hearing Christmas party over at The Victoria in Dalston. Helping us close out a crazy busy year at the site, we’ve got a co-headline bill of This Is The Deep and Dreamwave – tickets and more info here. Ahead of the show, we thought you’d like to get to know the bands a bit better, so by way of introduction, we have interviewed the two together, looking ahead to this weekend’s show.

Tell us a little about your year as a band. What have been your favourite shows (favourites or most memorable?), what new music have you put out and what’s been going on behind the scenes?

Cam (Dreamwave): The gigs this year have been so fun. We went to Europe for the first time which was a major highlight – Supersonic’s Bloc Party (Paris), Left of the Dial (Rotterdam). Also one of our most recent London shows at the Garage supporting one of our all-time faves Frankie and the Witch Fingers.

Ran (This Is The Deep): This year we’ve finished our next album that’s been 5 years in the making, and we’ve been working out how it works live, planning the release and have just made our first live action music video, which will also include a little animation. The record is a concept album set in the dreams of a central character called Ricard Herman, who falls asleep at his office and is transported into a beach, where we proceeds to enter the sea. The concept naturally allows us to work on creating a show that’s more theatrical, and dramatic and feels more like a journey. 

Our favourite show of this year was probably ‘The Menu’with London Art Services . It was an art and music performance on a giant table and it was in the round, like the Elvis ‘68 comeback special, so audience surrounded the stage on all sides. Very hard to do sound but the atmosphere was totally worth it. 

Alex (Dreamwave): Stowaway – watching The Wailers from side of the stage was a little bit life changing. East London Block Party (of course) and hometown festival Downstokes supporting The Bug Club and Wine Lips at Trinity Centre. We released an EP back in May and we’re currently releasing the singles for another one (to be fully released next year). We are working with not only Velvet Echoes but also Stolen Body Records, we’re grateful for these labels taking a chance on us.

Where should new listeners start with your material if they are getting into you before this gig and why?

Cam (Dreamwave): The start’s always a good place.

Alex (Dreamwave): We have some fun music videos on YouTube. Bring back Vevo!

Ran (This Is The Deep): I’d suggest the recent live session at 5DB media on YouTube to get an idea of where we’re at today. We played a lot of our new stuff there which we’re really excited about – including our first single ‘Darkness and The Dawn’ which is out early next year!

What is your favourite thing about playing live?

Cam (Dreamwave): That we get to see each other.

Ran (This Is The Deep): When it goes well it feels like you’re in another place, you leave your body. It’s a great feeling.

Alex (Dreamwave): It feels like exercise and they say exercise is good for you.

What is your favourite thing another band member does during the show?

Ran (This Is The Deep): I love everyone who plays with us it’s hard to choose one moment. It’s probably when my sister Alice sings lead on ‘This Tender Place’, I love her voice. 

Alex (Dreamwave): I love it when Cam gives me a cheeky smile <3.

Cam (Dreamwave): The faces Alex pulls.

Have you seen each other play before?

Ran (This Is The Deep): I’ve not seen Dreamwave before but I like their song ‘Moon Buggy’ so looking forward for that…

Alex (Dreamwave): I saw This Is the Deep at East London Block Party and they killed it. Can’t wait to share a stage with them again!

Cam (Dreamwave): No I haven’t but I’m really excited to see them and also play the Victoria.

Have you got any festive surprises in store for this show?

Alex (Dreamwave): Well, if we told you it would ruin the surprise. We all love Christmas but we have to get the festive gigs in early otherwise too many mince pies get in the way. 

Cam (Dreamwave): We like to surprise each other so who knows what could happen.

Ran (This Is The Deep): We’ll be playing some new material we haven’t done live before.

What would be your ideal annual holiday to play a gig for?

Cam (Dreamwave): Mine would be Hogmanay because the Scot’s know how to party.

How has the band’s live set changed recently?

Ran (This Is The Deep): We always try and introduce new elements for every show, whether that’s a new musician or new song or section. Our new record is a bit more wall of sound/Phil Spector inspired, pinch of Laurel Canyon, with all the usual stuff we have. 

Alex (Dreamwave): Our buddy Cass has joined. His back now hurts from carrying this band’s live set.

Cam (Dreamwave): He’s added so much to our live shows and has helped elevate our sound to the next level.

What is the greatest Christmas song of all time?

Alex (Dreamwave): Good question! ‘Winter Wonderland’, Ozzy Osbourne & Jessica Simpson.

Ran (This Is The Deep): ‘Fairy Tale of New York’, one of the best songs of all time, never mind Christmas.

Cam (Dreamwave): It’s way too hard to pick a single one but some of my faves have to be: Slade, ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’, Wham!, ‘Last Christmas’, Jona Lewie, ‘Stop the Cavalry’, Elton John, ‘Step into Christmas’.