British pop band, The Feeling, are back with their second album of the year, three extra gigs lined up and plenty of plans for 2012.
When a band releases a greatest hits album it often means that it’s the end for them. The Feeling set alarm bells ringing last Monday then when they released ‘Singles (2006-2011)’; a compilation of their best tracks, including ‘Fill My Little World’ and ‘Never Be Lonely’.
“It’s important for me to keep writing and being productive and keep being creative”
In this case though, releasing the LP has nothing to do with a split. Instead it’s been released to coincide with the new ‘Burberry Body’ fragrance ad campaign, which the band have provided the soundtrack for. Dan Gillespie Sells, lead vocalist and guitar player, explained: “[We had the] option of making a limited edition of the third album, tagging on the singles from the new campaign…and re-selling it.” He added: “I know people do that… but we weren’t really up for it; we wanted to offer something kind of different.”
According to Gillespie Sells, the album is also to help people recognise the band in the “territories” where Burberry ad campaign is going to be used. “It’s obviously more important for the overseas places that haven’t really heard of us before,” he said. “It’s nice for them to have an introduction to the band.”
The five-piece group is thinking of doing anything but calling it a day then. In fact they’re already planning for their fourth album, which they’re hoping to release next year. “We are going back to the studio to work on album… [and] I’ve already written some songs which I think are really good for it.”
Gillespie Sells also revealed that one of the songs is a duet, but he’s still “racking [his] brains at the moment trying to think of someone to sing it.” “If we think of someone a bit unusual, a bit crazy, then that’s the person we’re probably going to work with. As long as they’re really individual and have got their own thing going on then that’s what’s exciting.”
The Feeling released their third original album, ‘Together We Were Made’, back in June- nearly three years after their second album, ‘Join With Us’. During that time the band toured in the UK (as well as in the US and Europe), performed at festivals, and re-recorded their track, Rosé, live at Abbey Studios for the Burberry ad. Despite being productive during the gap between the album releases, the band said there won’t be another this time around. “We plan to make the record fairly quickly and just get it done,” said Gillespie Sells. “It’s important for me to keep writing and being productive and keep being creative.”
Before the band leave 2011 behind and begin working on their album properly though, they’ve still got three Christmas gigs left to perform. Without revealing too much, Gillespie Sells said: “They’re fairly small because they’re last minute, but we’re going to turn them into proper parties. We’ve got lots of guests, lots of surprises and lots of musicians to play with us.” He added: “It’s going to be the most festive thing we can possibly create!”
The band is set to play Bath, Brighton and London on the 20, 21 and 22 December.
Sophie Burluraux
Tagged in The Feeling