Having played shows with Paramore Down Under, New Zealand’s The Jury and The Saints are now making the leap over to the UK as they release their self-titled album today.
‘The Jury and The Saints’ is full of catchy, energetic punk rock numbers that reminds us of bands like Four Year Strong. Tracks such as ‘Fever’ and ‘Focus’ are fast with gang vocals whilst ‘Monday Morning’ is more reserved. Nevertheless the quartet have produced a bombastic and fun record that may even become the soundtrack to your summer.
To find out more about The Jury and The Saints, Already Heard spoke to guitarist/vocalist Jesse Smith. Jesse discussed the record in detail, how his time living in London influenced the band, the New Zealand music scene, playing with Paramore and more.
AH: Your new self-titled album is your first release here in the UK. In brief, what should we know about The Jury & The Saints?
Jesse: Our self-titled album will be out 2nd March. The only thing you really need to know about us is that we are pretty simple fellas who just wanna write songs and play shows that make people feel alive.
AH: This album is the follow up to your debut album ‘Daydreams’ and your 2011 ‘Revival’ EP. How has the band developed on this record?
Jesse: Since ‘Daydreams’ the band has changed drastically. Back then we were a two piece and our sound was a lot more electronic than it is now, we still had the punk influence, but because there were only two of us we used track other instruments to fill out the sound. We grew into a 4 piece and the ‘Revival’ EP was the real turning point for us sound-wise. We discarded a lot of the electronic element of our sound and intentionally tried to make that EP a lot rawer than anything we had done in the past. Vocally I changed a lot, adding more shouting and gang vocals. The ‘Revival’ EP is kinda the foundation for our sound now on the new album.
AH: From hearing the record, there’s certainly a high level of energy throughout with pop punk vibe. How would you sum up the record to new listeners?
Jesse: Yeah I guess there’s a high energy, bit of a pop punk vibe, but i wouldn’t say it’s your typical pop punk album. I have always found it a little hard to put our sound into words, but I guess it’s just good time music! We want to make music that’s fun to play live, that people can enjoy and be a part of when they’re at our shows.
AH: When it comes to influences, who do you consider them to be both personally and collectively?
Jesse: That’s a tough one! I think a lot of stuff from the early 2000’s is what we grew up listening to, Blink 182, Sunny Day Real Estate, Brand New, Vendetta Red, At the Drive-In, Comeback Kid, Hell is for Heroes, Hundred Reasons etc. That’s the kind of music that gave us a love for music, the desire to play in bands. Lots of elements of what those bands did back then are probably reflected in what we do now, with some a more modern influence. Each of us has fairly different tastes in music.
AH: You picked ‘Focus’ as the lead single from the album. What is the track about and do you think it’s the ideal choice to give people an idea of what the album is like?
Jesse: Yeah we did, the song is basically about my boss trying to fire me. We went through all these mediations and he would just confuse the hell out of me in meetings. I wouldn’t know where I was or what I was talking about! (laughs) Long story short he, luckily, was the one that got fired and I was the company’s golden boy from there on in! Well not really the golden boy, that just makes the story a bit better doesn’t it? (laughs) I wouldn’t say it’s your traditional choice for a lead single but we wanted to put out something different, something that might catch people’s attention. We thought it showcases two sides of the band quite well, with the super hectic energetic first half and the second breaking down into a more atmospheric, anthemic vibe at the end.
AH: Your next single is called ‘Monday Morning’. No guesses to what it’s about then? Everyone hates Monday mornings right?
Jesse: Hahaha you know it! You can pretty much tell from the title what it’s about which is a good thing I guess! It’s that feeling of being trapped in the mundane reality of life, but at the same time trying to break out of the monotony. It’s our favourite song off the album, a little bit of a change of pace for us but if you have been on earth for more than a few days, you can connect with it.
AH: I understand you spent some time in London before the band formed. Did that time over here influence the band in anyway?
Jesse: I spent about 3 years living and working in London. I lived in a nice little spot in the South West called Hounslow. My time in London was easily the greatest influence on me as a musician and as a song writer. When I was growing up in NZ you would never get the smaller punk bands ever coming over, it was never worth the long trip and the cost, so we missed out on seeing a lot of acts live. When I got to London it was a dream to be able to see my favourite bands every weekend. I discovered Hundred Reasons and Hell is for Heroes whilst I was there – two of my all-time favourite bands that have influenced our music probably more than anyone else. If it wasn’t for my time in the UK, The Jury & The Saints would probably sound quite a bit different!
AH: Likewise I hear Rowan Crowe spent time in the States selling cameras on Warped Tour?
Jesse: Rowan has spent heaps of time touring the world with bands. He spent a bunch of time selling cameras and then ended up teching for Underoath for a while. Rowan is one of those fellas who gets amazing opportunities. If you get to meet him in person one day, he will tell you about all his trips, taking you on a good old walk down memory lane. That makes him sound like he’s about 100 years old. I don’t think he actually is. He is less than half that age… probably.
AH: In the past you’ve in front of massive crowds supporting Paramore. How did your anthemic punk sound translate to stadiums when it’s naturally heard in rock clubs?
Jesse: We have had the privilege of doing some amazing things we’d never have even imagined doing, and the Paramore tours in NZ and Australia have definitely been a highlight! The opportunity came out of the blue, we never thought about how we would fit supporting them but it actually went super well. Our goal every time we play is to make sure, regardless if you like our music or not, you have a good time. If someone’s mum is there with their kid, we want to put on a show that she would enjoy even if she doesn’t go out and buy all our shirts and albums afterwards.
AH: Do you have aspirations to play more stadium shows?
Jesse: We want to play to as many people as we can, to make sure that we are enjoying every show we play, and that people at our shows are as psyched as us. Who knows if we will be playing stadium shows every second night in the future, but if the Foo Fighters call we won’t say no!
AH: Speaking of live shows, can we expect to see you over here in the UK at some point?
Jesse: We are really hoping to come and tour the UK and Europe this year, we are working on some touring options at the moment. We’ll have to keep you posted but without a doubt, The Jury & The Saints would love to come and play some shows on the other side of the world.
AH: It’s not everday we come across a band from New Zealand. Besides Flight of the Conchords and yourselves, what does the music scene have to offer there?
Jesse: Hahaha yeah Flight of the Conchords have really been flying the Kiwi flag for a while. The music scene in New Zealand is actually really strong for the size our country. There are a lot of really great bands and artists. Because our scene is so small, it’s pretty hard to make a living from music here, so we have to try and break into other markets. We have to really push ourselves because we’re up against so much amazing talent in and out of New Zealand.
AH: Any final comments to round off this interview?
Jesse: Mate thanks for the questions and I hope my answers make at least some sense to you. I did actually pass English in school but my wife doesn’t believe me. We hope to make it over your guys ways this year and play some shows, if we come to your city come say hello and we can drink a lager or warm ale or whatever you’re into.
‘The Jury and The Saints’ by The Jury and The Saints is out now on SPV Recordings.
The Jury and The Saints links: Facebook|Twitter
Words by Sean Reid (@Seanreid86)
