Q&A: Bringing Vibrance To Dark Times, The Academic Talks “Kids Don't End Up Like Me,” Upcoming EP & More
BLENDING INDIE ROCK AND INFECTIOUS POP, IRISH FOUR-PIECE — The Academic are back with their epic brand new single “Kids (Don’t End Up Like Me)”. A track buried deep within the band’s vault, it has since been broken down and reconstructed into the vibrant guitar-pop song it is today. The quartet has an impressive catalogue of music behind them dating back to 2013, so it comes as no surprise that “Kids (Don’t End Up Like Me)” is yet another stunning addition to their already-stellar collection. The track is full of light-hearted riffs and sweet melodic grooves that spill with energy. The self-produced song is anthemic and hints at the new sonic direction the band is moving in, as the first taster of their upcoming EP Community Spirit. The guitar-fuelled song is paired with an equally compelling music video which showcases the group’s contemplative side.
Made up of Craig Fitzgerald, Dean Gavin, and Matthew and Stephen Murtagh, The Academic grew up just outside the rural Irish town of Mullingar. Bonding over a shared enthusiasm for the early 2000s NYC rock revival lead by the likes of The Strokes, Interpol, and Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, these influences have made a huge impact on their conception and sound.
Luna caught up with lead singer Craig to discuss the backstory of their latest single “Kids (Don’t End Up Like Me)” and their forthcoming EP Community Spirit, out July 16 via Capitol Records. The indie-pop outfit bursts with exuberance as always, and “Kids” is a reminder of this. Their bouncy drum beats and bright vocal lines keep the new release moving forward and promise great things to follow. Read below to learn more about what The Academic have been up to over the past year, from books they’ve read to music they’ve been listening to and what they hope the next year will bring.
LUNA: Hey guys, hope you’re all well! It’s nearly been a year since the release of your euphoric EP, Acting My Age. Congrats on the success of it! I feel like it came out at the right time to help people escape the dullness of lockdown. What was it like for you all to release those songs at such a strange time?
CRAIG: Thank you very much. Looking back now a year later, I think we were pretty fortunate that we happened to be in the studio wrapping up those songs just before the pandemic. In a weird way, with what has happened, some of those songs took on a whole new meaning for our fans going through the lockdown. We had plans to tour it all over the place, and the idea that the music industry would come to a halt was something nobody saw coming. It was a difficult decision to release without getting to bring these songs out on the road, but we felt we had something we were really proud of and wanted to spread joy in any way we could.
LUNA: Your new track “Kids (Don’t End Up Like Me)” is a bouncy indie-pop tune which I feel is going to be a fan favorite at live shows. I know you’ve said it was written a long time ago — can you share a favorite memory or backstory from when you wrote/recorded it? How did it come about?
CRAIG: Yeah, it’s one of the first songs I can remember writing to completion. One of those moments where the words just come to you, free of overthinking and full of naivety. There’s so many memories with this song, as we tried to rework it over the years and never got it right, usually overcooking it. It came back to life at the start of the year when I was stuck in lockdown and all my music equipment was locked up from some live stream gigs we did over Christmas. I bought myself a nylon guitar; I had a microphone and my laptop and started just trying to write like I used to when I was a kid in my room. Finding inspiration through lockdown wasn’t all that easy, and having nothing to do or nowhere to go was weighing me down, and I really felt like I had nothing to write about. I started going through my old notebook and stumbled upon “Kids” and [had] a really strong moment of clarity with the words and how it should sound. I just got it in my head to finish it, and as an older person looking back at my teenage scribbles, it was really interesting.
LUNA: I’ve had a listen to your individual Spotify playlists and there’s so many great artists on there, new and old, from beabadoobee to Pulp. Are there any new artists that you recommend or have been listening to a lot in the last few months?
CRAIG: We love finding new music, and in Ireland there are so many really great artists. There’s tons of great new music at the minute. Too many to mention, but the likes of Kojaque, Pillow Queens, Denise Chaile, Junior Brother, and Inhaler just to name a few.
LUNA: Do you take much inspiration from other media? If so, are there any specific books, movies, or shows you’ve read/seen over the past year that’s influenced your writing and sound?
CRAIG: Absolutely, and especially in the last year where there has been so little to do or experience, reading and watching movies has been a good way of disappearing into a new world and helping creativity.
Lately I’ve been inspired by authors like John McGahern and Judy Blume — they have a very unique way with words and deal with growing up, romance, and religion that I really enjoyed and highly recommend.
LUNA: Your headline tour is rescheduled till next year, but you’ve got some festival slots lined up such as Reading and Leeds, which is incredible. What are you most excited about for the return of your live shows?
CRAIG: Yeah, playing the main stage at Reading and Leeds has been on the bucket list for a while, so we can’t wait for that one. I mean, live music is what we are all about, so just getting to interact with the fans again is something that we are all really looking forward to. Just to feel all that energy in a room full of people! Also getting to catch up with our friends, having a beer, and getting to see other people play music (not on a screen). It’s been such a long time now, and although playing for people online has been a great way for us to keep in touch with the fans, it doesn’t compare to a live show.
LUNA: Different sort of question here, but if there is any more music coming out (in the form of a new EP), when can we expect it? And can you give us three images from your camera roll that best describes it?
CRAIG: Yes there is! “Kids (Don’t End Up Like Me)” as you know has just come out, but we have an EP called Community Spirit coming out July 16. We literally couldn’t move more than 5 km for most of the lockdown — government regulations and all that — so we just decided to turn Stephen’s bedroom into a makeshift studio. It was real DIY! We recorded and produced it all there ourselves and [is] something we are really proud of. It really took us back to our roots as teenagers and starting out in the band. I would love to give you three images from my gallery to describe it but that would be giving away some of the surprises on the way!
LUNA: Thank you so much for speaking with me and good luck with the single release! Where do you hope the rest of 2021 takes you?
CRAIG: Well it’s safe to say we are all well rested so, given half a chance, we hope it takes us to as many places as possible. Also getting our second album together will be a priority for us, so that is something that we hope will happen in the not-too-distant future!
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From Pavietra 🕊️ https://t.co/BXVgWlZud8 -
slowthai by Rosie Matheson 🤩 https://t.co/z7SDfFQ5iF
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RT @i_D: Ian Kenneth Bird photographs young punks on Polaroid: https://t.co/MKT0tMUqO9 https://t.co/a0tTl12ML5
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RT @AnOtherMagazine: #DreamHome – this isolated idyll in the mountains of Lanzarote 🌵 📸 via Nowness, photography by Clemence Blr 🔁 https://t.co/GUusdxD0cg
