Banjos are funny instruments. They can get pretty irritating.
We were copying lots of bands, like Avett Brothers and Old Crow Medicine Show.
We're all big fans of bluegrass.
Banjos are used in Celtic, English folk music and obviously American music. But not that much in pop music. But it's more versatile than people realise it to be. It's a beautiful instrument, very rhythmic and melodic. You can do anything with it.
Just being thought of as a Christian is pretty annoying. Not that there's anything wrong with it. But just being told you're anything when you're not.
'Babel' is a continuation of a project; it's not like now we are more theatrical. We've grown up, seen places, been places, and that is shown in this album.
I think that's why so many school bands start on guitars: because they hide their mistakes with the distortion.
Banjos, dobros, and acoustic guitars are not our first instruments.
When we first started touring, we were going to these towns we'd never otherwise go to, never otherwise see, and that's sort of why we like being in a band. But we started playing these bigger rooms and not even seeing the towns.
Things got big quickly for us, and playing arenas... it's like - and every band will tell you this - you don't see any of the town.
Class is a big issue here. And some people get picked on more than others. I think we probably do. I mean, it doesn't help that we wear waistcoats and tweed the whole time. But there is a reverse snobbishness in England towards that sort of stuff. And I think that's one of the reasons we really enjoy America, 'cos we're classless.
The thing about Nashville that's amazing is everyone plays... so you don't meet up for a drink, you meet up for a pick. It's an incredibly creative town, just bubbling with energy.
You write in songs what you're too scared to write in real life, and then you sing the songs to loads of people instead of telling it to the person you should be telling it to... Songs are a great way of dealing with those issues but kind of a coward's way as well.
Once you're out there in front of people, I don't think there's any choice than to just give it your all.
Irish people never think we're Irish. Americans think we're European or French.
We know what we like in music, and we got into music to try and give back what we got out of it.
We don't want to be part of some Tidal 'streaming revolution,' nor do we want to be Taylor Swift and be anti-it.
We look at our albums as stand-alone pieces of art and also as adverts for our live shows.
Simian Mobile Disco changed my life. They put me onto the EDM world. Although they would hate that term, they're more techno.
I became obsessed with Simian Mobile Disco's music and poorly attempted to make my own techno music.
