As a band refusing to label themselves, United Fruit aren't just your average group hoping to make a buck from music. We speak to Stuart Galbraith to find out about the band's music, goals and much more...
'We have our dark moments but always want to create music that makes people feel good'
For those who may be new to your music, how best would you describe your sound?
It's a mixture of everything we love - noise, pop, angular riffs and punk. We just try and write songs that we want to listen to. We have our dark moments but always want to create music that makes people feel good.
What challenges have you faced in the music industry so far?
For any DIY band there are always going to be challenges. A lot of people in the industry like to be able to pigeonhole bands because it makes things easier for them, whether it be promoting or blogging. It's a little bit harder for them to do that with us because we're not really one thing and it's never been our intention to be just one thing. The industry needs to be a little braver when it comes to taking a chance with bands if they don't automatically fit in with what has come before or what is fashionable at the moment.
How difficult would you say this career path is in terms of making a name for yourself?
If you're good enough it will work. That's what we've always told ourselves. We've seen a lot of bands we know just give up because it's not working for them in that moment. But you've got to believe in yourself. It is difficult though. There are a lot of bands and artists out there all trying to 'make it'. We've always been realistic about our goals though and all we're really looking to do is make a living out of playing music and we just take one thing at a time.
How important is it for you to have creative control over the work you produce?
It's everything. If we didn't have full creative control over our music we wouldn't do it. It will be different for every band though depending on what they are looking to get out of being in a band. We just want to make music that is true to ourselves and the second it becomes anything else, there's no point in doing it.
Where do you draw influence and inspiration from for your work?
We are all inspired by different things - books, films, other music, art. Personally, I'm mainly inspired by sounds. If I hear a little change or an interesting tone on a record, I get inspired to try and do something like that. I love how certain textures in music make me feel a certain way. I also love how the same sounds can be completely different for someone else.
If you could collaborate with anybody going forward, who would you choose and why?
Maybe someone with a more electronic background. I think if we were to collaborate with someone, it would need to be pretty far removed from what we do at the moment. We're quite comfortable with our guitars so it would be nice to work with more synthesizers at some point.
Tell us a random, funny fact about you that not many people know.
Marco is officially the tallest bass player in rock music according to the Guinness Book of Records.
Do you have definitive aims or goals for your career?
We just want to be able to make a living out of music. I think most bands would say the same. We love travelling and playing shows. As long as we can play to as many people as possible and keep releasing music, we'll be happy.
Where do you hope to be this time next year?
Hopefully doing another record. But it's hard to say. Opportunities come up all the time so you just have to be open to the fact that plans can change.
What should we expect from you in the coming weeks and months?
We have a new single called 'Where The Sun Beats Down' coming out on April 8 and our album 'Eternal Return' is out on May 13. We will be on tour in the UK in May.
Keep up-to-date with United Fruit on Twitter (@UnitedFruitBand) or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/unitedfruit).