Superlove: The noise-pop trio on fusing genres and writing for themselves

Superlove are a three piece band from Bristol, made up of Jacob Rice on bass and vocals, Jonathan Worgan on guitar and vocals and Tom Hennessey on drums.

The band came about after John went to see Enter Shikari and Lower Than Atlantis in Cardiff. After having an epiphany during the gig, the trio came together to write and create music.

Taking influences from the two bands that breathed life into Superlove, the band fluxuate between indie rock, pop and metal but they say don’t conform to genre.

“We don’t conform to that, but we describe it as noise pop, which was something that actually our manager Chris came up with,” Jacob tells Bristol24/7.

“We’re alternative rock but we thought, let’s come up with something that reflects us. What we do is based around the British music scene and that’s something we love, and love being like a small part of.

“So yeah, noise pop for sure because it combines the noisiness of the guitars. And the poppiness of the vocals and the melodies.”

Noise-pop is an accurate description of the bands music, their first album, Colours, leaning heavily into guitar pop hooks and sweet melodies.

Their newest album, follow:noise, released via Rude Records, offers up something a little heavier and a little darker from their previous work.

Released earlier this month, the band introduced heavier guitar riffs and audacious choruses.

“On this album, we didn’t think about it. We didn’t have the pressure of being “too cool”. Like as a band we were like, let’s just do what we want,” Jacob explains when asked about the differences between Colour and follow:noise.

“This album feels like more, just a band album because a lot of it was written live. A lot of it was written when we were all together in a room and I feel like that’s just helped. And to be honest, if this feels like more of a debut album for us.”

The band have gotten some warmly-received press for their singles and albums, from sold-out shows to premiering on BBC Radio 1 Future Artists with Jack Saunders.

But who exactly do they make music for?

“Myself and John, when we were writing together, we would sort of question what we were doing. We’d be like ‘hang on, maybe we wouldn’t write a song like this’ if we were thinking about Spotify numbers and playlisting etc.

“Then, we had a really nice, healthy chat and we decided that we’re writing this for ourselves. But yeah, like combining the heavy stuff with a poppy stuff is something we always want to do. So yeah, we make music for us, definitely.”

The trio are currently on tour in support of their sophomore album which kicked off in Bristol earlier this month, before performing at No Play Festival in Liverpool in August.

However, despite follow:noise only being released a week ago, the band hope to focus on a deluxe version of the album.

“I think, to be honest, we’re gonna like to whittle away a little deluxe version of the album and just crack on with that.” Jacob tells us.

“We’ve already got a handful of songs, almost feel like they’re almost ready to go. Maybe write another album! It feels like we’re just doing an album every year now, it seems! So why not just carry that on?”

Main photo: Ethan Porter

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