Who TF are Escapades?

We had a chat with Escapades, an emerging UK outfit that are looking to take the scene by storm with their distinctive indie pop sound

Liverpool’s Escapades have really carved out a niche for themselves over the last few years thanks to their unique brand of modern indie pop, melding fuzz-heavy guitars with lush melodies and a distinctive flair.

On their latest release ‘Look At The Waves’. the outfit continue to showcase their engaging approach to songwriting and crafting sounds that feel both gorgeous and packing a real bite. Escapades have moved into a more mellow and thoughtful sound when compared to their beginnings, and this new release ebbs and flows with a sense of poise and composure that really highlights the strengths of the outfit. The vocals compliment each other seamlessly, and the rousing, flowing nature of the track makes for a release that feels scenic and nostalgic. This is assured and memorable work from an outfit who truly seem to have found their sound and are now exploring it with great effect. We had a chat with the exciting outfit about this new release and what we should expect from them going forward.

Who TF are Escapades?

Escapades are an alt-rock indie four-piece with some funk & shoe-gaze influences. Liv and Ollie share main vocals (think The XX) and electric guitars, Fielding does backing vocals and tears up the bass (we call him the Wizard), and Barron is our rock playing the drums. We have recently been playing with our friend Matt, who is a master sax player for a few of our tunes. Matt, if you’re reading, we want to steal you full-time.

How long have you been making music?

Liv and I (Ollie) have been playing together since 2015 and the lads have been involved since about 2018. We’ve been all over the North West playing, but want to get into other areas of the UK.

Why do you make music?

It’s an outlet and it’s also a collaborative process, which is really great to get into. Playing our songs live is an amazing feeling, as well. Even in a room with 100 people in there, if 10 of them are singing your songs it’s a unique feeling. We also really just enjoy spending time with each other. It’s not often you can find a set of best mates that also double as your ‘work pals’ – if you can even call it that.

What are your biggest influences?

People like Wolf Alice are huge influences on us and we grew up watching and listening to them. I don’t think we necessarily wear all of our influences on our sleeve, though. As individuals, we all bring things that inspire us and it all contributes to the sound. That’s why our recording process is so collaborative, and our tracks have elements from different genres.

How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?

If you took the harmonies from a Fleetwood Mac tune, smacked some overdrive on it and added some lyrics that don’t really make much sense, you’d be bang on the money. We are developing a bit, though; dance, funk, jazz, psychedelia – we want to try it all.

What would you say has been your best moment so far?

We recently played a gig at Liverpool Arts Bar with our label, Merciful Sound. The place was packed, it was the sweatiest gig we’ve ever played, and we’ve never played to a crowd so pumped up. Everyone knew the words to some of our songs, and there’s no better feeling than strangers and friends singing your tunes back to you.

What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?

Even something like having a Jools Holland session or playing on Triple J or Tiny Desk would be amazing. It wouldn’t have to be headlining Glasto or anything, but I think anyone can agree even playing at Glasto would be a dream come true.

We love your new single ‘Look At The Waves’, what more can you tell us about it?

It’s a song I wrote in about 2018 that we’ve been playing ever since. Whenever we played it, people said they really enjoyed it live so I think it made sense to get it on record. I like to think it’s about a destructive person who needs bringing back down to Earth a bit. But it probably isn’t. Who knows?

What else do you have planned for the near future?

We want to be playing as much as possible, we’d like to gig in as many cities as possible and jump on the festival circuit. Getting another single out is another priority. Just generally vibe and play shows with our friends, and just get as many people to listen to our music as possible.

And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?

Our mums. Without a doubt.