FLAWES | Chat To Us About Their New Single ‘HOLDING OUT FOR THE WIN’ & Breaking A World Record !
Flawes have had their patience tested in 2020. The dynamic electronic pop trio started the year on a high by fulfilling a life-long ambition with the release of their debut album ‘Highlights’. But events would mean that their big plans for the rest of the year were dashed.
Instead, they threw themselves into a flurry of activity. Writing and recording individually yet still collaboratively gave them a refreshed sonic identity, which they today reveal as they share their new single ‘Holding Out For The Win’. It’s the first track to preview their upcoming EP ‘Reverie’, which is set to follow on February 26th via Red Bull Records. Pre-order/pre-save the EP.
While ‘Holding Out For The Win’. Flawes’ irrepressible live energy feeding into exhilarating alt-pop invigorated by retro synths. It’s a track resolutely in tune with 2020, but with an ‘80s undercurrent. That’s further reflected with Freddie Edwards’ guitar work, which aimed to translate the stirring sax found in some of Springsteen’s classics to his own instrument.
The song’s future-retro ambience also inspires its official video. Freddie and drummer Josh ‘Huss’ Hussey get stuck into a session of old school gaming thrills - but where’s JC?
‘Holding Out For The Win’ introduces the ‘Reverie’ EP, which is the band’s strongest music to date. Featuring producers including Toby Scott (Gorgon City, Pet Shop Boys), it’s uplifting and inventive pop that offers escapism as a welcome respite in a year when reality’s been a lot to handle.
What’s the song about?
‘Holding Out For The Win’ is about that split second in a relationship when you realise: this is something special,” JC Carruthers. “It’s based at the start of a relationship and it documents the moment of falling in love with someone and realising there’s something to be lost here. It’s the realisation: I need to make this work.
What was your writing process for this EP?
We have a positive attitude in Flawes and when I’m writing lyrics I’ll always go towards positive themes, trying to find a positive in any situation, JC says. That’s where all three of us feel most comfortable. We don’t want to live in a sad place. Flawes is all about finding light in a difficult world.
Having said ‘Reverie’ is full of positive themes[…]” Could you explain some of these themes in the new EP?
JC: We’ve tried to create a whole world with this EP for people to escape in. The word ‘Reverie’ itself is defined as ‘a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.’ We love the idea that anyone can get lost and join us there for half an hour. There are songs about love, hope, second chances, achievement and resilience. The uplifting, positive vibe will hopefully leave people ready to take on the world. We hope it’s empowering.
You say you like to find “beauty in life’s most challenging moments”… please can you explain how you manage to do this through your music?
JC: We as a band are generally very positive, I will always look for a positive in a situation and naturally will always lean towards positive themes when writing lyrics. The whole meaning behind our band name is the idea of embracing your flaw’s/imperfections and learning from your mistakes. The ‘e’ within Flawes is a flaw.
While touring with Ella Eyre what did you learn from the experience?
JC: Touring with Ella as her keyboard player for 3 and a half years was such an amazing experience, from the thrill and nerve management of confidently performing on live TV and Radio to performing to thousands of people on mainstages at the biggest festivals in the world. It was also a great insight into exactly how demanding everything is and the dedication of what it takes to be successful. I essentially had a passenger seat view through that time to prepare myself for my own journey with Flawes.
You shot the video for ‘Holding Out For The Win' while practising social distancing – We imagine this was different from previous videos you’ve made! Tell us more about the new video.
Freddie: It was definitely a very different shoot to normal! We arrived at the studio in Bristol and were greeted by a ‘Covid officer’ who aimed a gun at each of us individually… luckily just a temperature gun haha. Everyone on set had to wear a mask, as did we unless we were being filmed. The video is based on JC being sucked into the virtual world of a retro video game. Huss and I have to do our best to get him through the different levels and out alive within the three lives he is given. It was a really enjoyable experience to make and we’re excited to show everyone what’s next!
On 14 Oct you posted on social media that you were attempting a World Record what was it?
Huss: We attempted to set the world record for the most amount of individual online performances in 12 hours haha that was a longggg day… We went totally delirious but we managed to get a total of 60 streamed performances to our fans all over the globe. It’s all in the hands of the officials at Guinness now so fingers crossed!
Embracing the limitations of lockdown by doing ‘ISOLATION SESSIONS you were reunited after 4 months apart. How difficult was it not being able to work together in person?
Freddie: I think we actually adapted pretty quickly to the situation. We all invested in better home studio equipment and worked over zoom sessions and emailing ideas back and forth. I think it actually had a positive effect on the process! We all gave our parts that extra attention to detail.
You were nominated for an AIM (Independent Music Award) for your live performance, congratulations. Who was the first artist you ever saw play live?
Huss: Thanks, yeah we didn't win but it was nice to be nominated for sure! The first band I saw play live was The Ordinary Boys at Manchester Academy 1 in 2004 maybe? I stood right at the front. After the gig, I remember my ears ringing for the first time. I was terrified that I’d done some serious damage haha. We got to play the venue on the last tour we did. I was so excited and definitely hit the drums too hard for the whole show… (I hope no one on the front row had ringing ears after)
What was the strangest experience that you have had in the industry?
Huss: There’s definitely one that stands out for all 3 of us, we’d just landed in LA and were having breakfast with our A&R and the head of the record label… when all of a sudden Sir Patrick Stuart walks in and sits down on the table next to us. Being that 66.6% of Flawes are from Huddersfield we HAD to go and say hello. He was absolutely lovely, we chatted for about 15 minutes then went to collect our bags (and let him have his breakfast in peace) So we walked out of the restaurant… and there’s Sir Patrick Stuart, standing outside waiting for us. He asked us “do you mind if I have a picture with you?” haha. It goes without saying we said ‘sorry no photos please’ and jumped in our cab. (joking, of course, we took the picture and plastered it all over social media, I think JC almost fainted) That was a good day for sure.
The lyrics for your track Ghost Town say “get me out of this ghost town […] the silence is so loud”. Do you think this is now ironic considering you released it in 2019 and it sounds a lot like Covid-19 lockdown this year?!
JC: Haha, we should have held onto it and released it 6 months later! As it happens that particular lyric “get me out of this ghost town” I was talking about a relationship where convenience had been put ahead of love in terms of importance. All the excitement, passion and friendship had expired and the relationship itself left resembling a Ghost Town.
What’s the most interesting thing about each of you?
Huss: haha that’s a tough question! I think the most interesting fact about me is that I can ride a unicycle and juggle… I need to find a real use for those skills, maybe we can fit them into a Flawes show in 2021? JC can do a pretty convincing ‘mouth trumpet’ If you listen closely it actually features on our latest single ‘Holding Out For The Win’ and Freddie recently learnt how to do the splits which I thought was pretty amazing!
What’s next for the band?
Freddie: We have lots more content coming out in the near future! Keep an eye on our YouTube channel for some fun videos and also on our Spotify for new music!
Interview | Dannielle Burbidge