Interview by Alysa O'Connor | Header Image by Josh Collins

Milo Gore has been a well known name around Falmouth and the South-West. Their energetic and emotive live sets have captured audiences up and down the country as well. After spending time away to write and record new music the band returned with their latest single ‘Jerry Can’. A politically driven, infectious indie track.

We caught up with the man himself (Milo) to talk about his creative process and the journey the band has been on over the last two years since their last release.

Alysa: Hey Milo! Love the new track. What was the inspo for the single, and album titles?

Milo: Thanks man! Well I used to read the Daily Mail when I got stoned, I’d sit in bed and read the articles, obviously taking everything with a pinch of salt. One article that really stood out to me was titled ‘How Do You Cope While Grieving For the Living?’. It was about a man who married his terminally ill lover before she died. I loved the title so much that I put it forward to the band and they loved it too. For ‘Jerry Can’, there’s quite a funny backstory. Max (bassist) and Chris (guitar and vocal) broke down on the way to practice trying to get to the studio without buying petrol. Luckily they broke down right outside of ASDA, so bought a jerry can, filled it and made it to campus. Max came with a sick bass riff and ‘Jerry Can’ began.

Alysa: That’s such a cool backstory. Is your general creative process the same?

Milo: Normally, I would pick up my guitar and start jamming, find a riff that I like and keep playing until lyrics come to my head and I have a verse or chorus. Then I’d take it to the band, jam it and then work together on the rest. The process is planned to change now though, as I like to call previous music [including the new album] pre-hab, so I want a different process and sound for any new work post-hab, so to speak.

Alysa: Hahaha, I really like the pre-hab post-hab concept. Speaking about the production of the album, your roster for people who worked on this is incredible. What was it like to work with each of them?

Milo: Absolutely amazing. Pete Propopiw came to the house in Cornwall where we recorded the album for three weeks straight. I felt an instant connection with him, both professionally and personally, which was an incredible experience. He’s based in Normandy, and drove from there to Coventry, to Bude to spend that time with us. He’s a legend. He met us after a gig in Birmingham and basically told us he wanted to record our album. His idea was to record with a live feel, as a debut album you want the raw ‘this is us’ sound. I fucking love Pete. He automatically knew what we wanted for the outcome and understood the songs on a personal level. He actually introduced us to Andy Savours, who I’m still in contact with, he produced the album. He really brought mine and Pete’s ideas to life, such a nice guy. He then put us in contact with Guy Davie, who had just finished mastering King Krule’s album which is totally insane. It was a really humbling experience to be an unsigned band with this amazing team behind us. Absolutely incredible, big dogs, but they treated us like actual artists.

Listen/watch ‘Jerry Can’ here:

Alysa: What an experience, to be working with the same people as bands like The Streets, Florence and the Machine, Arctic monkeys… So sick. Going back to the single again, what’s your favourite line in Jerry Can? I think mine is ‘F*** the ones we love, f*** the rules.’

Milo: I know man, crazy stuff. That’s a good line, it will trip people out I think, because it’s so blunt. I think my favourite line is ‘There’s nothing in the world but the mind.’ It comes from a Jack Kerouac book, it totally changed my outlook on life. I think we’re basically the new beat generation. Capturing that American dream, but post Iraq war and in the fear of nuclear war. There aren’t enough jobs, people are searching for something. The O.D.D generation, that’s where that idea develops from, if you caught that lyric in the music video for ‘Jerry Can’. 

Alysa: I did catch that! Loved that, what an amazing quote too. What is one message you want to come from this track?

Milo: Honestly, we need to sort ourselves out. Collectively, as a people but also individually too. Going back 8 months ago, I couldn’t look after anyone else, I realise now the impact that I was having. I wasn’t the best friend, or boyfriend. So I took the time to change, both personally and politically. We all need to do that. 

Alysa: I couldn’t agree more, taking that time is so important. It’s really inspiring to have watched your journey the last few years and see where you are now. Your growth really reflects in this single.  Your album is due to release 20th August, there any one piece you’re particularly excited to share?

Milo: Thank you, yeah, I make sense now. I’m 6 months sober and looking forward. I think probably ‘Jade’, it’s got a very clever concept. I’m really excited to show our capabilities, but it’s also just a really cool pop song. 

Alysa: Can’t wait to hear it. A final question for you, are there any upcoming gigs we should watch out for? Corona providing of course.

Milo: Hahahah, We’re meant to be on tour 30th April to 10th May, we’ll just have to see what happens won’t we.