UP

Recording with producer Cam Blackwood (We Are Scientists, Brother, Alabama 3), it seems we can expect big things from UP this year.

The energetic four-piece have already recorded live sessions The Electric Ballrooms and you can watch a video of track ‘Figured Out’ below:

We were keen to find out more about the band, so let us introduce you to UP…

How did the band arrive at the name ‘UP’?

We wanted something simple and positive…Honestly? Hours of rowing, and it was the only one that wasn’t taken!

Who would you cite as your strongest musical influences?

We’re big fans of legendary pop. MJ, Bowie, Prince kind of thing, but of more recent influences we’d go for big sounding bands that write just good, good songs. Bits of Scissor Sisters and the Killers in there too.

What made you decide to record your live sessions at The Electric Ballroom?

We grew up going to gigs at places like the Ballroom and the Astoria (RIP), then moved on to going to 80’s nights at the same places, so we jumped at the opportunity to get in there when it was empty and have fun.

You draw on experiences of modernistic youth, for those who are unaware what this means – how would you best describe it?

Well, it’s simply because that’s what we are. If you write about the things that affect you, that you feel strongly about, the chances are that they have affected everyone in a similar way at some point. The tricky part is putting it into words that take people back to when it happened to them.

Which experience of modernistic youth did you find the easiest to write about?

The easier ones are stories, like the two up on our Facebook player. “Love or Money” is about struggling with money and a girlfriend who bluntly needs “a certain lifestyle”, which everyone has to deal with to a certain degree. “Just Like the Films” was even easier, it’s the story of two lonely people going home together, complete with running out of money in the back of the taxi!

You’ve worked with producer Cam Blackwood, how did this come around?

We met him at a We Are Scientists gig, he worked with them on their World Cup song, and we share an obsession with 80’s drum machines, so we got on well…

How would you best describe the band’s live set?

A lot of fun. We go for a big sound, tons of energy and really bad dancing.

What can we expect from UP in 2012?

We were working with producers for the rest 2011, so putting something out at the start of 2012. When everyone comes out of hibernation at the end of January we’re starting up a night down in London (a bit far away from Scotland…), and getting up to some touring as the year goes on.

The best place to get an idea of us properly is our facebook (www.facebook.com/thebandcalledup), we’ve got a few tracks up and some live videos from the Electric Ballroom session. Also, our twitter feed (on there too) is good for updates, but even better for awful jokes and the videos of the latest obsession (currently Bill Withers)!