By Kieran Webber

We are calling it now, Blaenavon are going to be next big thing in British rock music. The band have barely left their teenage years and have already played next to the likes of Foals, Bloc Party and Warpaint. This year also saw the young band gracing the stages of a litany of festivals including Glastonbury and Latitude, they have now set off on a full UK tour with a headline show at The London Scala.

We caught up with the trio to talk about life on the road, there influences and much more.

CLUNK: Thanks a bunch for taking the time answer our questions! We hope you are well? What have you been up to?

B: We’re all well. Currently writing this from a pudding specialised cafe in Nottingham. It’s treat day.

CLUNK: How was it that Blaenavon came to be and how did you meet?

B: We all met each other when we were 12 or 13 and started performing together for a school talent competition. We stuck together without really thinking about it and after a while decided we should make a go of it. It was then we released our first demos under the name ‘Blaenavon’.

CLUNK: You have had a busy year what with playing a litany of festivals it must be a surreal experience playing shows across the country at your age?

B: Festival season was a lot of fun and we played some of our most exciting shows to date this year but it doesn’t really feel that surreal to us. I think because we’ve been performing together for 6 years or so it seems like a natural progression. Having said that we’re all honoured to be playing festivals we went to as youngsters.

“We ask ourselves each morning if we’re ‘still feeling tour’ and the answer is normally yes”

CLUNK: ‘Let’s Pray’ has had backing from reputable DJ’s such as Huw Stephens and Annie Mac as well as regular radio play I’m curious how does that feel and what is it like to hear your music on national radio?

B: It’s great, especially when said DJ’s chat about the track beforehand and add some personal thoughts on them. We always do our best to listen in when we know something is being played. Hearing Elton John announce ‘Let’s Pray’ was pretty gnarly and his pronunciation of ‘Blaenavon’ wasn’t far off either.

CLUNK: You are currently on tour playing up and down the country does this get tiring?

B: We ask ourselves each morning if we’re ‘still feeling tour’ and the answer is normally yes. It’s a lot of fun seeing all of our far flung fans and friends across the UK and we always try to spice things up with the odd day trip when possible.

CLUNK: Has there been any standout shows?

B: We’re only a couple of dates into the tour at the moment but they’ve all been good. We’re looking forward to the Ritz in Manchester with our gangsters The Sherlocks, it gets crazy when they’re on their home turf.

CLUNK: What are 5 essential items you have with you whilst on tour?

B: Eggs, floss, gum, toothpaste, pot noodles.

CLUNK: Are there any particular people or artists that have influenced you as people and/or your music?

B: At the moment we’ve got a real mix in the bulging van cd bag. Bit of Pavement, bit of Lou Reed. Unfortunately we forgot to bring Songs About Jane.

“The Koso EP has a special place in our history because it was the start of us realising our musical ambitions but the latest singles ‘Let’s Pray’ and ‘I Will Be The World’ show us at our best and hopefully demonstrate how diverse the album is”

CLUNK: If you could sum up Blaenavon in a sentence what would it be?

B: Tunes of dark romance illustrated with grooving rhythms and a bouncing bombast on stage.

CLUNK: Of all your releases do you have a particular favorite if so why?

B: The Koso EP has a special place in our history because it was the start of us realising our musical ambitions but the latest singles ‘Let’s Pray’ and ‘I Will Be The World’ show us at our best and hopefully demonstrate how diverse the album is.

CLUNK: Lastly, what can we expect from you later this year and beyond?

B: Loads and loads of shows in the UK and beyond. A few more singles and more details on our first album which will come out at the start of next year.