Female fronted dream pop four-piece The Mayflys have been touring pubs and clubs in and around London since they first formed in 2006. Having had recognition from the likes of BBC London Radio and a live performance at BBC Radio 4 under their belt, Hannah Jolley caught up with guitarist Dan about their plans for 2016.
The Mayflys have enjoyed a three-year break since their last release, the single “Train Song (I’m Here)”. With a new album in the making, the band seem to be waiting on the right season to harmonise with their new material.
“We’re waiting for the sun to come round to release our next album", Dan explains. "We’re a sunny band so we’ll do a launch in Spring/Summer 2016”.
Having been described as “the sound of long hot summers, ice cream, summer dresses and freshly mown grass”, it’s clear that radiating these summery vibes is a running theme in their music. With each of them having eclectic influences from Latin and hip-hop to jazz and funk, features of these genres can be heard in their music with tracks such as “Ay-Yo” and “Curious”. The band have spoken in the past about the Dave Matthews Band being of shared influence when they’re composing. But with plenty of artists and bands currently releasing fresh material, Dan tells us where he's finding new inspiration from at the moment.
“At the moment I'm listening to Alabama Shakes, Everything Everything, Lianne La Havas, Courtney Barnett, and Khruangbin," he says. "I have no idea about the other guys though. Probably Toto.”
Having all met at university and starting off with the similar interest of playing music, the band have slowly begun to get bigger and bigger, moving from playing acoustically to electronically. With London venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and the Halfmoon to tick off the list, The Mayflys have certainly put their best foot forward towards into the music industry. “I think I wanted to be in a band since I was eight years old,' Dan affirms. "I’ve never considered our band as a “career” though, it’s all been a part of living rather than making a living."
Currently in the process of finishing off their forthcoming album, Dan explains how it is in the studio with the music tending to come together organically. “It’s very collaborative – usually someone will have a loose idea which we'll bounce around until it starts to take shape," he says. "There's a song on the new album called "Mirrorball" which just appeared out of nowhere during a jam and that song has barely changed from its conception. It's probably the heaviest song we've ever written – I love it!”
With the recent tragic loss of the music legend David Bowie, it is clear that the mark he left on the music world has inspired many. Dan says he's looking forward to discovering more about Bowie with his absence uncovering a whole back catalogue.
“For me his death has highlighted how much of his music and art I was unaware of. I feel a little foolish to have only scratched the surface now that he's gone but I hope to discover more of the huge amount he left behind.”
Keep your eyes peeled in the Kingston-upon Thames area in the near future for shows from the Surrey based band.
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