INTERVIEW: The Jacques @ Bingley Music Live

As part of our coverage of this year’s Bingley Music Live Festival, Gigslutz had the opportunity to catch up with Bristol’s fastest rising band The Jacques. Read our quick chat with Finn Jacques, as we talk about The Libertines, festival season and what the future holds for the band.

We were going to start with asking if you are looking forward to playing today but seeing as you’ve just come off stage, how was your set at Bingley?

Ha! Well we’re already looking forward to playing next year! Yeah it was really good thanks.

How’s festival season been going?

Very busy, but really fun. It’s a shit favourite to choose, but Glastonbury was a real highlight – it hasn’t got an interesting story though. At Isle Of Wight, Jake slept in a porter loo if that counts?

Do you prefer festivals or smaller club venues that are more your own?

Probably venues, I like a small room with lots of people crammed in whereas festivals sometimes feel like big fields.

So, you’re signed to 25 hour convince store, can you tell us a bit about that?

I met Gary (Powell) at Hyde Park about a year ago and gave him a CD. I only met him as a fan, it wasn’t a proper thing – but he took an interest and we signed. I think we are very similar to the Libertines in a way; Gary doesn’t step in too much. He’s happy to support and comes to some of our gigs. He’s just a genuinely lovely guy!

For our readers who haven’t heard your music yet, what is the best way to describe The Jacques?

I suppose its quite 90s/Britpop but grungy.

In 3 words?

Loud, lyrical and pop!

As you said lyrical, are there any inspirations when writing?

Yeah, obviously all the greats – there’s no need to list them really. I’m influenced a lot by books and films, people can probably tell that as we title quite a few tracks after other people’s stuff like ‘This Is England’. Writers… I love Angela Carter!

Desert Island disc?

Ah that’s hard… I want to say Rumours Fleetwood Mac, but that’s the last album I listened to so I don’t think its fair! So… To Bring You My Love, PJ Harvey.

I think that’s the first time we’ve had PJ Harvey! Normally it’s Oasis…

Oh I hate Oasis! I shouldn’t say that as I’m up north but definitely Blur.