In print So Young Issue Sixty-One
Issue Sixty-One welcomes sunnier skies and the return of one of our favourite bands, Iceage. The Danish punk rock band, fronted by Elias Rønnenfelt, are refined, raw and urgent on new record ‘For Love of Grace & the Hereafter’. Chatting to us for the cover, Elias arrives late from Muay Thai to join Johan and discuss how they shed all unnecessary weight on the songs of this record, recording sounds from the rehearsal room straight to tape – a process which has led to this album feeling “fucking perfect”.
Brighton’s Lime Garden have released their second album, ‘Maybe Not Tonight’. A break up record hidden beneath electro-indie bangers, the four piece dispel the myth of ‘the difficult second album’. Speaking to us ahead of their very sold out Moth Club small venue tour headline, the band tell us about their favourite nights out, refining their writing to the pop songs they love, and embracing their gobby side.
My New Band Believe, the new project from black midi’s Cameron Picton, has just released a debut self-titled album. Jumping on a Zoom call during a day packed with interviews and followed by a DJ set in Brooklyn, Cameron explores the new record with us and allows us into his thought processes when it came to starting something new post black midi.
London Trio, mary in the junkyard have long been an appreciated talent, and it’s finally time for them to reinforce those early whispers with a debut album. With ‘Role Model Hermit’ announced for July, the time felt right to check in. Chatting with Clari, Saya and David, the band describe their excitement for the album to become ‘human’, the story behind the album’s title and how their closeness allowed them to unite and push back on any external ideas and views that didn’t sit correctly.
In the US, Victoryland have released an album we cannot stop playing. The project formed in New York and consisting of musician Julian McCamman and producer Daniel Howard, have just played an “overbooked” run of shows at SXSW. We caught Julian on the way home to chat about leaving his ‘forever band’ in Philly to start Victoryland and how the relationship with Daniel developed a more pop influenced, direct sound with the ambition of ‘no skips’.
Philadelphia is also home to Greg Mendez. Gathering particular praise and traction following the self-titled album in 2023, new record ‘Beauty Land’ releases at the end of May. Greg chats to us about the roots of his music, originally wanting to make rock before landing on his signature folk leaning indie, and how music being a ‘job’ hasn’t impacted the way he makes it.
In London, we chat with two bands motoring forward off the back of debut releases. Indie-rock four piece Tooth have been found regularly in our pages and on our stages over the last 18 months or so. With the first two singles now out in the world and the rooms they’re playing in starting to swell, we thought now a good time to catch up and dig into what’s been going on. At The Blue Basement, Soho, 1000 Rabbits celebrate a new name (formerly Rabbifoot) and their debut single release, via Young, with a sold out show. Soaking up the excitement and curious to explore what the new name means to them, and their future music, we interview the band.
To wrap up the artist interviews we head to Leeds. Melodic rock band, the north have been quietly building a loyal following at home and its starting to bleed south. Now signed with Communion Records, the north are gearing up to release their debut EP. We discuss ‘Slide Away’, finding guitarists on Tik Tok and the diversity of their personal influences. Staying in the city, bathing suits provide sonic contrast. Fusing noise rock with techno, Bathing Suits arrive loudly from the Leeds DIY scene with music ready for the club.
As always, Who Are You? Introduces a bunch of new discoveries across two pages. This issue welcomes The Nightclubs, Goodbye, The Slow Country, Ex-Family, Tanzana, Hitmen, Truthpaste and Bloodworm.
Celebrating twenty years of taking over Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset, End of the Road Festival returns in September with another excellent lineup. The festival not only delivers an exceptional lineup of artists but considers the visual experience equally. Keen to find out what makes their magic formula what it is, we speak to the festival team to see what they’re most excited for and how they develop the look and feel of the site into something so special.
We’ve collaborated with Iceage on a T-Shirt. Limited Edition and running Low. Order yours here.
The new issue of So Young is out now. Buy in print here. Read the digital edition below. Subscribe to receive every issue here.