Since their inception, Trampolene have thrilled audiences with true, honest rock ‘n’ roll. James Cummins caught up with frontman Jack Jones to discuss moving from Swansea to London, new sounds and what 2015 has in store for the band.

Hi Jack. How are you and what have you been up to this week?
I’m good thanks, still alive! Just been doing the usual: writing, practicing, reading, dreaming and breathing.

2014 was a fairly successful year for Trampolene, what were your highlights of last year?
Loads. I loved the filming of the ‘Newcastle Brown’ video. Watching our friend Dean crying to that song was both hysterical and tragic at the same time. And I loved just hanging out with the band mates in random places that we haven’t been to before. Like boats and hotels.

Due to bad weather conditions at Strawberry Fields Festival, you didn’t get to ‘pop your British festival cherry’  last year. Can we expect to see Trampolene at any festivals in 2015?
I’d hope so brother. We’ll have to see!

You moved from Swansea to London a few years ago. What do you like about London?
I could spend years answering that question. I just like the energy of everything and the fact you can meet anyone from anywhere.

Is there anything about London you dislike?
Not really. I could be boring and say it’s expensive, but I don’t really go out anywhere, so that doesn’t bother me. There’s nothing I don’t really dislike, apart from worrying about getting bombed or stabbed or whatever, but why worry? The world could end tomorrow, which is why I always do today what needs to be done today.

Is there anything about Swansea that you miss?
My mates. Welsh voices. My dog – even though she is dead – everyday. The Mumbles, Mount Pleasant, The Gangway, The Yard, all the places I used to hang out.

You have quite a following in France, having played there several times, and are heading back to Paris in March. What do you enjoy about playing there?
It’s really strange. Even though we don’t speak the same language, the people over there just seem to understand us. I can’t wait to go back in March. Even when I do the ‘Artwork of Youth’ poem they get it. I suppose some of the words in that are quite universal. All that shit that happened in Paris last week with the shootings, it hit me hard. So disturbing. But they can never put a gag on freedom of speech or make everyone walk in fear. “Je suis Charlie”. The way the whole country came together for that march was inspiring.

How are you finding your time with Mi7 so far?
They are lovely people. We are unsigned, they love the band and help us out like proper mates do. They are everything an independent label should be.

What music are you enjoying at the moment?
I’ve been listening to this folk band from Swansea called Boys From The Hill. I must have been feeling very homesick over Christmas or something.

What was the first album you bought, where did you buy it, and do you still listen to it?
I can’t remember! But the first song I ever downloaded was Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Little Wing’ and I still listen to it. Blows my mind every time, truly. My earliest musical memory is hearing Manic Street Preachers, courtesy of my mum blasting it out on cassette in the car.

Which current upcoming bands are you enjoying?
I’ve heard lots of new bands, but there’s no one I would brag to my mates about. I like the one song I have heard by Pretty Vicious, plus they are from Merthyr.

With lots already lined up for 2015 and a number of EPs already out, what else can we expect from Trampolene over the next year?
First is a new pocket album, out in early March, which includes two new band songs, two piano songs and a new poem. Then another pocket album in May. Expect us to keep growing and transforming, and also the unexpected. Of course.

James Cummins
@CummyBear