Speedboat on Mazes, Synth Music and Yachts

Willow Shields

London’s least professional music photographer and journalist, can be found most evenings in your local small venue drinking vodka lemonades and being told secrets.

With total sincerity and full honesty, Speedboat are one of my favourite bands in the world right now. Their smooth synths, sensual lyricism and what some would describe as ‘sexy yacht pop’ has awoken something in me that has been lying dormant for years

I first saw them at the Sebright Arms in London, and for those who don’t know, it’s a slightly dingy basement venue. It was a perfect setting for the band, a room full of smoke. From the darkness they emerged; two people who looked oddly similar. My friend whispered to me that they were brothers, I didn’t believe her. They then proceeded to play the most innuendo-charged live set I had ever seen, nay imagined. And that, friends, is when I fell in love with the band Speedboat. I have seen them many a time since that night, yet have never met them due to my absolute persistence to turn into a giggling teenager whenever I see them not on stage (and most of the time when they are). I think that’s when you know you’ve found a really special band, when you can’t help but be utterly terrified of them, or rather, embarrassing yourself in front of them. I am a fangirl through and through and although it’s been tucked away for a few years, Speedboat have managed to stoke the fire of fangirl-ism once again and it is back in full force.

Their new EP, ‘Better Men’ – out via Moshi Moshi records – is six tracks of pure magic. Taking on themes of modern society, stories of seducing the statue of liberty, and being inspired by Paul McCartney to write a song about the USSR. Each song makes me want to either cover myself in glitter and dance around a dark room like a human disco ball or lie on a chaise lounge in southern Italy and be painted by a doomed lover… Okay. Back in the room. I had originally planned to meet up with Johnny and Will of Speedboat and ask them silly questions but I chickened out (no pun intended), and also our schedules didn’t match up, so I sent them an email with some silly questions instead.

Willow: If you were in a maze do you think you’d get lost?

Speedboat: No, we both have an impeccable internal compass.

Willow: What’s your ultimate sandwich?

Speedboat: Pan Bagnat with an aperol spritz.

Willow: What is your favourite colour?

Speedboat: Red.

Willow: On a hot day, what’s your go-to activity?

Speedboat: A leisurely dip in the sea followed by a selection of fruits/cold drinks.

Willow: Do you have any nostalgia connected to ice cream vans?

Speedboat: No, we’re more gelateria kinda guys.

Willow: Are you actually siblings?

Speedboat: We are a brotherhood.