We caught up with JAWS ahead of their Foundry show later this month.
Having performed at the Virgin Money Arena in Newcastle in 2020, the first covid-friendly venue, how did that experience feel and how did it differ from the usual live experience?
Weird but good. We supported The Hunna who were great live and super-friendly. It wasn’t your standard show though. People being in small pens was bizarre. And they organised it weirdly which meant that you can get to the front even if you turned up last because the number was just assigned regardless of the time you arrive.
Is there anything you’d recommend to your crowds to do to put your mind at ease playing these venues?
Think for yourself. Crowds can do what they want – there’s no shame in wearing a mask at all. And also with our fans if they don’t feel comfortable about going to the gig then don’t feel like you have to. As much as we want loads of people to come, the main thing is enjoying yourself. Staying safe is cool as well. Use common sense – these days you need to just use your head.
Our shows also tend to get a bit mad, so bare that in mind. Jaws will still be doing their thing.
Your last album, The Ceiling, was released in 2019. After a 2-year gap, does this tour mean we should expect another soon?
No talk of an album yet. All that we know is we’re focused on the tour right now but we always have songs in our catalogue ready to be worked on. There are songs that have been there for years that we’ve still not come back to along with stuff we’ve written more recently. With albums we don’t tend to formulate a plan but instead take things one step at a time. Our main focus now is the tour. Next step is definitely to record new music though. I’m dying to get into the studio. We have lots of bangers that I just want to get out there.
Finally, how has your music and style of performing changed since your last album, especially with lockdown giving artists such a long period to focus on their sound?
I wish I could say that we knuckled down but what we really did over lockdown was Zoom calls and pub quizzes. We used to get pissed (not Connor) and do games and whatever. I really wish I had a cool answer. A lot of bands put loads of work in and came out with basically three years’ worth of content ready to go. That’s great but we don’t like to spend time contemplating things because I think it does stunt the art – it is supposed to be off the cuff.
Jaws play the Foundry on 25th November. Tickets and more info at foundry.seetickets.com
