Slam Dunk Bites: Vukovi

Over the coming weeks, Already Heard will be highlighting a variety of bands set to play the Slam Dunk Festival later this month.

When you’re a band on the rise with praise coming from all sides, expectations are certainly going to grow. Nevertheless, Vukovi are full of confidence. Their self-titled debut is a vibrant, genre-spanning delight that has given the quartet plenty of potential heading into festival season. And it all begins at the Slam Dunk Festival.

The festival has a history of putting the spotlight on emerging bands, who have gone to do big things. With Vukovi set to play on the Breakout stage, could Slam Dunk the next stepping stone for the Scottish four-piece?

As they continue to ride a wave of momentum, we spoke to vocalist Janine Shilstone about the year so far, her expectations for Slam Dunk and more.

AH: It’s been a superb 2017 so far, especially with your debut album receiving plenty of praise. How would you sum up the past few months?

Janine: Feedback from the album has been great. We’ve seen a clear progression through our live sales, and just the general reception we get at our shows now. We’ve ticked a lot off our bucket list these past few months and hoping to tick off a fuck load more by the end of the year.

AH: And now you’re preparing to make your Slam Dunk Festival debut. How is the mood in the Vukovi camp as we get closer to the festival?

Janine: We love festivals! They’re a different kettle of fish. You have a diverse audience of your own fans, people that are intrigued, folk just wanting out the rain and people that are so wasted they accidentally stumbled across our set. Winning over any of these types of festival goers is what it’s all about.

AH: Have you attended the festival in the past?
Janine: Nope! We’re all Slam Dunk virgins, but we’re ready!

AH: You’re playing on the Breakout stage. As an up-and-coming band, how big of an opportunity is Slam Dunk to gain new fans?

Janine: The demographic of people that attend Slam Dunk is our prime audience, so naturally we feel part of the Slam Dunk family and that we truly belong on that stage. We can’t wait to welcome new fans aboard the Vukovi train… to hell!

AH: With so much going on at the festival at the same time, why should festival-goers come and watch Vukovi?

Janine: We’re really just four pals having the time of our lives on stage. I just want to have fun and if the crowd are having fun watching us then that’s a bonus.

AH: After you’ve done with your set, who will you be going to watch?

Janine: I recently did a thing with Dan from Bury Tomorrow, and I thought he was a super charming guy, so we will definitely be catching their set. Also Stray From the Path is also a must! I’ve never seen them live but we play their stuff in the tour van all the time. I’m hoping to also see Crossfaith, Tonight Alive, The Bronx, Fort Hope, Don Broco and Enter Shikari.

AH: Slam Dunk marks the start of a busy summer of festival spots for the band. What are your essential festival tips?

Janine: Have fun, forget about shit at home, wear old vintage band t-shirts (the brighter the better) and make memories.

‘Vukovi’ by Vukovi is out now on LAB Records.

Vukovi will be playing at 3:20pm on the Rock Sound Breakout Stage at Slam Dunk Festival on all three dates.

Vukovi links: Website|Facebook|Twitter|YouTube