INTERVIEW: Blitz Kids Talk New Sound, New Label and Cracking America (Hopefully)

Blitz Kids are fast becoming one of the UK’s most exciting rock acts. With a new label backing the release of their second album – across both sides of the Atlantic – things look set to get very busy, very soon for the British band.

Guitarist Jono Yates took some time out from tweeting (he’s nominated for ‘Tweeter Of The Year’ at the Kerrang! awards for the second year running) to answer some burning questions about Blitz Kids’ new sound and whether they are trying to conquer the USA.

Congratulations on being the latest signing to Red Bull Records, how have you found life on your new label so far?

Cheers! A lot easier than before. They’re really proactive and have us working hard all the time to be as good as we can possibly be, which is refreshing. In the past we’ve not had a great plan of action, but now we’ve mapped everything out and we’re going to enjoy the ride.

You’ve previously spoken about not being entirely happy about your debut album ‘Vagrants and Vagabonds’; why is that?

I just felt that we weren’t tight with the old lineup. The parts were played scrappily and sometimes not in time. The production was poor and the whole thing was very rushed. I can’t wait to show people what we’ve recorded this time. We feel like a real band now!

What is it that makes you more confident about your upcoming album?

It’s just better in every way. I can’t really explain it. You’ll know when you hear it though.

There’s certainly excitement surrounding your new material; how did it feel to hear your latest single ‘On My Own‘ on daytime BBC Radio 1?

Really bizarre. I suddenly got an influx of tweets saying we were on daytime radio, so I turned it on and there we were! A lot of smaller British bands are getting a lot of airplay on Radio 1 in the day, and it’s great to be a part of that movement.

You’re playing several festivals this summer and have played a run of support slots this year with artists such as Lower Than Atlantis and We The Kings and will be visiting Ireland with Young Guns too, but can we expect any headline shows soon?

I hope so! We’re aiming to head out at the end of the year after a couple more support tours. At this stage, we’re just trying to get on every show we can possibly do to get our new material out in front of people.

You also gigged at SXSW and have recorded in Los Angeles with John Feldman, so would it be fair to say that you have your eye on ‘cracking America’ or are you keen to grow your home fan-base first?

I think it’s important to establish a solid fan base in the UK before we go over and give the states a bash. In an ideal world, they both grow at the same time and we’re touring constantly in one or the other. Our record is being released over there as well, so it’ll be interesting to see what the reaction is like over there.

Thanks for your time. Finally, we’re already almost half way through the year but what are you most looking forward to about the remainder of 2013?

Download Festival. We’re playing on the second stage, which I never thought we’d do. It’s bloody massive. I’m nervous and excited all at the same time.

Blitz Kids’ new single ‘On My Own‘ is released May 13th on Red Bull Records.

A free download of ‘Warrior (Live)‘ and previously unreleased demo track ‘Nowhere Fast‘ is now available via their official Facebook page. Are you excited to hear new music from Blitz Kids?

Interview by Amy Jo McLellan.