We are the band Bombay Bicycle Club, ask us anything

welcome to reddit!

http://i.imgur.com/RIJc92Y.jpg

well thanks for having us mr watercolour. and nice work

Ever thought of doing a "Club Tour" with Two Door Cinema Club and Tokyo Police Club?

We actually already did a tour with Two Door... It was great fun

JM

Have any of you guys ever ridden a bicycle in Bombay?

No. I have been on a train in Bombay. I was too scared to ride a bike EN

Hello Bombay, huge fan here. I don't really know what else to ask than this:

Would you drink a beer with me and my mates if we came to your show at Lille Vega, Copenhagen, on February 11th?

For sure. Come say hi EN

Hi !! My question revolves around one of your songs, "How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep"

It is my favourite song from you guys so far, and was the song that introduced me to the band. I even remember frantically trying to Soundhound this song when I heard it for the first time at the local McDonalds!!

Anyway, Is there any story/explanation behind the lyrics of this song? It would be really cool to know some background info about this song!

I am a very light sleeper and always wake up before my girlfriend. I wrote this song just lying in bed pretty bored, waiting for her to wake up. JS

My wife gave birth to our son while listening to a different kind of fix on repeat. Didn't want to ask anything, just let you know.

She must find it very relaxing. Are you able to enjoy the album now or can you only think about childbirth?

JM

Your cover artwork is awesome! Who does it or is it a different artist each time?

Its a different artist each time. The new cover is done by a company called La Boca. They did a really good job EN

Lights Out, World Gone is probably my favorite song of all time. I love you guys. Anyway, what has been your most memorable experience/interaction with a fan or crowd while you were on tour?

Someone proposed to their girlfriend on stage at our gig in Melbourne. They then started making out behind me on stage. It was very awkward.

JM

Hey guys, long time fan. Seen you twice at reading and you killed it both times. What i really want to know is how Jack is just so blooming happy all the time? Theres literally not a second when he's singing that he doesn't look like he's just won the lottery

By all the time you mean on stage? You should try it! It's a lot of fun. It makes me happy... JS

What inspired you to write Cancel On Me? Who kept cancelling on you?

A girl of course...

Your album: "I had the blues, but I shook them loose" is one of my favorite albums ever. I always wondered where you guys got that awesome album picture?

it is a photo taken by a man named Joseph Sterling. I believe he died within the last couple of years sadly.

SDS

Hi BBC, Your fans have followed you closely from a rock album, to an acoustic album, to something quite different. How would you describe people’s dedication to your music?

Jack, would you produce the next album given your experience with this one? If so, would you change anything about the process?

How do your real personalities compare with the way you portray yourselves in interviews? Would you be interested in giving fans more insight into your lives in the future?

What is your inspiration for writing lyrics? How do they compare with your early EPs where the lyrics seem more straight-forward in interpretation?

How did you meet Lucy Rose and will she be appearing on the latest album?

Having accomplished so much already, where do you see the band going in the coming years?

Your work ethic, personas, dedication to your music and striving for innovation make you the most inspirational band I have ever heard. I thank you for your music and I hope to see you guys in Minneapolis in the next year, best of luck with the new album.

Hopefully throughout the ever changing sound there's something constant that defines us as BBC, something probably very subtle. Hopefully our fans enjoy that we don't rehash the same ideas. We would get bored very easily and our fans would do too probably.

I would certainly produce the next album. (if the guys agree...!)

I think we're the kind of people that you get to know very slowly, so interviews aren't the best mechanism. We don't shout loudly "this is me" but we're happy to sit down for an extended time and tell you in a soft voice.

JS

Hi guys, big fan! Saw you several times in Ireland.

I've always thought the intro to Shuffle was one of the most fascinating sounds I've ever heard! What is it exactly?

Also, Shuffle is one of my all time favorite songs! Best of luck with album 4.

It's a sample from an old jazz record chopped up. Can't tell you which though!

JM

Please can you guys play 'Evening/Morning' when you come to Leeds in March 2014? 'Carry Me' is sublime.

I'm sure we will yes

Favorite IPA?

I like the Pete Versus The World by the Camden Town Brewery EN

I missed your show in Belfast last week because I fell off my bike :(

EDIT: Fell of my bike. I don't feel bikes.

now that's irony

Where was the video for "Lights Out, Words Gone" filmed, and how did you get so many soulful older people to dance for it?

Great video by the way!

It was filmed in Mexico City. We were sent the video as part of a competition we were running at the time! EN

hey guys, massive, massive fan, love everything you've ever done, seen you live only once though at leeds festival 2012! i have a couple of questions so here it goes:

1. whens the next single out?

2. is the new album going to be dancey like carry me (if so im even more excited than i already am)

3. are you going to be playing any festivals in 2014?

4. do you guys ever browse /r/trees ?

thanks for doing this AMA!

1. we're releasing another song in a couple of weeks

2. carry me is probably as extreme as the album gets dance-wise. but yes this is definitely our most dance and electronic influenced album to date

3. yes. hopefully a lot but we can't really give anything away right now...sorry

4. never seen this before but it looks very interesting. will be spending a lot of time on this

SDS

[deleted]

we laid intolerance low

Hi guys, huge fan!

Where did the idea to sample heavily on Bollywood themes for the new album come from? Any adventurous stories influence it?

Secondly, what was the reason behind your working with Farida Guitars earlier this year? How did you find the experience?

Thanks you! Keep making beautiful music!

Ed and I went to play a festival in Pune in India. I stayed on for a few weeks and rented a studio in Mumbai. I found my samples there!

Farida approached us about designing some guitars, it was a real privilege to work with them

JS

Will you ever come to Albuquerque, New Mexico?

one day hopefully. we are putting together a US tour right now

SDS

Did you know there is a bar in San Antonio that goes by the same name? It was often frequented when I was in college...

What do you prefer, the bar or the band?

YO GUYS, On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, how much do you guys want kaya toast right now?

10 we had some at toast box last time we were in singapore. EN

ALRIGHT LADS! SHALL WE GO FOR A DRINK SOON?

LOVE COLIN X

SMASH

Favourite curry? I'm a jalfrezi with peshwari naan kinda guy.

Jack - Haleem Suren - Chicken madrass Jamie - Lamb biryani Ed - Chicken vindaloo

eyyy yooo ed how long is your hair now? it's badass. also are you guys bringing out new merch with the new album/tour?

Its down to my nipples now... Looking pretty metal. There will be new merch this tour. EN

I met Suren at a party in Manchester a couple of years ago, at a student house in Fallowfield. You were really nice to me and my friend, especially when you caught him after he fell over due to being a bit silly with the drugs. Thanks for that, he's quite heavy and I wouldn't have been able to hold him myself.

Suren is a legend.

JM

Hi guys, I met Jack on UCD campus last Monday and went to see you in the academy that night! You guys are all very down to earth and put on one hell of a show!

My question is, are you aware that there's a drinking game which involves your song Always like this?

glad you enjoyed it! we had a good time. and no i wasn't aware. how does it work?

SDS

Hi Guys! Huge fan! Just wanted you to explain the game "scrote or chode" that you play on the tour bus. Heard you mention it in an interview and want to learn the rules to play with my friends at school.

Hi sam. As you know Louis Bhose is one of the finest exhibitionists the world has ever seen. It's actually 'scrot or not' and the purpose of the game is to determine whether the tiny flaccid piece of hairy skin is testicle or normal skin.

Hey you guys! I would be interested in your drinking behaviour. I asked me that question when I read that you are sober right now. Do you drink before your concerts, while and after? And how much and what do you drink? I know it's more a cliché question but since I saw you live and would like to repeat that in february it would be nice to know how much of a party the show is for you.

we're not sober any more! it was only for October. most of us have a drink or two before stage but no more. maybe a drink during the show and then looooooads afterwards. only joking. we party responsibly

SDS

Hey guys,

It's great to see great artists like you and Lucy Rose working together, how exactly did it all come about? Is there anyone else that you'd love to collaborate with?

I would love to collaborate with Bon Iver but only Kanye seems to have his number unfortunately.

JM

Hey guys, thanks for doing this AMA! I'm a huge fan.

Lights out, words gone is one of my favorite songs ever, always puts me in a good mood. Where did the idea for the music video come about? Also were the people in the video dancing to your song or was it just footage of people dancing?

someone in mexico shot that footage and put it to our music. we loved it! it's very pure happiness in that video. when we visited mexico city we found a similar scene! lucy rose had a dance with very dashing old mexican

JS

How much does Lucy Rose feature on the new album? Will she be on the tour?

she features quite heavily. sings in 6 or 7 songs. unfortunately i doubt she'll be touring with us...her solo work has taken off and i think she's started recording her new album now.

SDS

What's the best poo you've ever done on tour?

Every morning when we got off the tourbus there's a rush to get to the ladies toilets in the venue

Do you have plans to do any Canadian tours, mainly Atlantic Canada is what I'm curious about. Also, my boyfriend and I are big fans, hi!

We'll be back in April/May

Hey guys, I'm a massive fan of yours from Singapore and I saw you guys live not too long ago. With every album, you've cemented your position in my mind as one of my favourite bands, ever.

1) I just want to satisfy a long-burning curiosity about your song titles, which I find lyrical yet mystifying (The Giantess, Beggars, The Hill). Any stories behind any unusual titles?

2) My favourite song of yours is Leaving Blues. Which songs are your favourites, especially to play live?

1. The Giantess is the name of a poem by Baudelaire. The Hill was a particular hill at the school where we attended.

2. We like whichever song was written most recently. That reflects our current tastes... JS

From your own work, what is the song, video, and live performance you are most proud of?

personally:

song -- there's actually a new song on the new album called So Long, See you tomorrow that we're all very proud of I think. video -- the interactive video for Carry Me is great, perhaps the first time people have talked about one of our videos as a piece of art away from the music itself. live performance -- still probably Alexandra Palace because it was largest headline show and felt like a really special moment, plus I grew up 5 minutes down the road.

JM

(1) You guys have been travelling all over. Which places have been your favourites and where would like to go in the future? x

(2) Does the album have a name already?

(3) Which song is your favourite from the record? Or which one do you feel will be the hit single, e.g., Shuffle?

1. My favourite place to tour is Asia. Tokyo being my favourite city in the world (after London!). I'd to play in South America more, we've only done Rio and Sao Paulo

2. So Long, See You Tomorrow

3. Feel

What's your opinion of an establishment called Roxy in London?

I want to have my wedding there.

JM

For all of you: favorite sport to play, favorite sport to watch?

Rugby and rugby. RUGBY WHEY LADS

JM

me and suren play squash together. after a year of playing i have never beaten him EN

Going to be doing Glastonbury next year guys? ;)

we actually don't know yet...

SDS

Hello guys. I was fortunate enough to see you in Waterford a couple of weeks ago. You were great and I have a couple of questions:

• There is great distinction between your albums in terms of sound, more so with the first and the other two I think. Will your new album be a progression from the last or something new entirely?

• What was it like touring with SOAK? I've seen her a couple of times and she always carries herself with great maturity on stage to the point it becomes hard to believe she's so young.

it's a progression from the last in that we started exploring electronics and sampling on the last album and i guess this one takes those elements to the next level.

SOAK was great. you're right, i gotta say when we first met her i was taken aback by how young she looked but as you say she is incredibly mature and plays great music

SDS

Fender or Gibson?

fender all the way. EN

Hey guys, anywhere I can find a tab of Dorcas? Or a video of it being being played live even? Thanks!

(For anyone not familiar, prepare to fall in love - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUU7v943waA )

i can't even remember how to play it!! i tried the other day and failed. sorry...

JS

Where has been the most memorable place you've performed? Saw you guys at Bestival this year, it was amazing, thank you!

Thank you. I had a great time too. One of the most memorable places we have played was in india last year. I think a lot of people turned up expecting an actual bicycle club. EN

Love your music, it all gets played daily on my spotify, particularly Lights out words gone and shuffle!

My question is, any advice on getting yourself out there, band wise? Also, at what age and through what medium did you start recording? Like, did you pay the £400 a day fee to get songs recorded professionally or did you record and produce yourselves? Any advice for a student band would be appreciated :) Thanks!

i started recording my songs when i was fourteen. my dad bought me a tascam interface and i used a program called magix music maker. funny thing is i still use that program today! i produced our new album on it. but nowadays it's called "samplitude" and is much more professional.. same company though.

My friend said he played Mario Kart with one of you guys after a show in Boston about a year ago. So my question to you is, who is your go to Mario Kart character?

Yoshi obviously! EN

Ive seen you about 9 times over the past 4 or 5 years and you've been incredible at every show.

1. Whats the next single called?
2. Any festivals lined up for next year? (or headliner spots on the horizon?)
3. Question for Jack: Any plans for more further solo releases?

(also thanks for finally sending me the prize for the Pacman competition)

1. Luna

2. We are lining them up as we speak. I'm afraid we can't really confirm anything yet...

3. Yes in the future

you won the pacman?? nice one

SDS

hey bombay! I met y'all in LA October 2012 (when jack was sick) and I absolutely love all that you guys have done. anyway, one of my favorites is "empty" but I've only heard it recorded. have you guys ever done it live?

No never. I cant even remember how to play it. EN

Hi, seen you guys live a few times but my favourite had to be the acoustic performance at St Georges in Bristol. Was the acoustic album a one time thing or is there a possibility of another acoustic album in the future?

If you buy the box set for our new album there's a 7 inch included with two new acoustic tracks. I'm always writing acoustic/folk music on the side. JS

it's definitely a possibility. who knows where our path will lead...

SDS

Tour-related question:

Any chance of going to Coachella this year? (or if you're not allowed to get hints at least a US tour in April?) Or (Southeast) Asia later in the year please? It's been almost two years since you've been here; add the Philippines on your stops too

Hoping to see you guys at least once or twice next year. Been too long since the last Leicester gig x

we'll be in the US in april/may. and almost definitely south east asia later in the year as well.

SDS

@BombayBicycle Will you be touring south america in 2014 guys? xx

we're planning to, yes. will probably be in the second half of the year

SDS

When are you guys touring America???

april/may next year

SDS

What are your personal favorites off of the new album?

i'm loving playing the opening track 'overdone' at the moment. it has one hell of a groove. and some huge guitar riffs

SDS

I really like Overdone, Come To and So Long, See you tomorrow

How did you develop your singing style? Is that just how your voice sounds when you start to sing or do you consciously modify it in some small way at all?

My second question is what inspired you to write Ivy & Gold and what would be the best way to start learning it?

Cheers!

My voice sounded very different when I started singing. There are some old demos floating around the internet and youtube if you want some examples. But no, I never consciously tried to change it. Over the years it has become a bit mellower I think.

Ivy and gold is played with a capo on the 5th fret. I'll start you off with..

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JS