The Now Talk New Album, Hometown And More

Straight talking and rebellious four-piece The Now have a busy year with the release of their debut album ‘Too Hot To Handle’ in March 2024 and a series of gigs. They kindly chatted to JLTT to tell us more about themselves: 

Who is in The Now and what do they play?

The Now are a 4 piece projectile missile headed to your eyes!

Shane – lead singer, rhythm guitarist

Will – Drums

Jay – Bass and backing vocals

Brom – lead guitar and backing vocals

How did you want to approach the making of your new album ‘Too Hot To Handle’?

We didn’t really know how we wanted to approach it – we just went to the studio with ballsy riffs and went with it. Luckily we had the genius that is Oli Jacobs there to steer the ship and it came out as something we didn’t expect, in a good way of course!

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

We recorded the album in Real World Studios – the studio owned by Peter Gabriel. Oli Jacobs put his magic touch to it and has since won several awards for his work on The 1975’s album.

 Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals etc?

To be honest we all love a Big Muff!

 Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Swansea: It’s A Pretty S***** City

 Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?

Anything that goes on during an album recording session never leaves the room! Maybe one day when the film is made about us will you then get to hear and see the madness!

You have also previously released your single ‘Live and Die’. What was the story/inspiration behind the song?

‘Live and Die’ has both a literal and figurative foundation to the song. We live through the tough times we face and it was written as a concept to show how we change, move on and the old part of us dies with past traumas. We’ve all been through difficult times in our lives – from emotional break ups, to the ever changing transitions we face and obviously the challenges of losing people close to us. It’s really about how we adapt and persevere with the harsh realities of life. Despite its sad undertones, it was written to help people and bring some light back into a dark space that we all have to deal with.

 Do you have any plans for live shows in Europe/UK in 2024?

We have a London headline show for our album release March 7 at O2 Academy Islington 2 and are playing Station 18 Festival in Swansea May Bank Holiday. We are in the midst of sorting more shows as we speak. Our manager is talking to our agent in the states too so fingers crossed…world domination pending!

 How do you look after your voices?

Jack Daniel’s and the odd Vocalzone.

 Which tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Happiest track has to be ‘Girl You Got Me’, it’s just got that sexy bass riff and rock out with your c*** out feel to it. Angriest is ‘Special Kind of Stupid’. That was written about certain big headed people that you come across in this dog eat dog industry and it also has a sprinkle of an ex-girlfriend for good measure! Most reflective has to be ‘Live and Die’, like previously mentioned it’s all about those tough transitions in life that we all have to face. We hope listeners can pull out of the album what they want to feel, you’ll have to pre-order it for March 1 from our website now to do so: https://www.thenowuk.com/ 

 Was it a difficult album to write?

It was and wasn’t difficult to write if that makes sense? We had what was already written so to be honest it was easy in a way. However, what was difficult for us was to let go of preconceptions of how the songs should sound. After Oli worked his magic it took a while for the new formats and sounds to make sense to us – which we are so grateful for now looking back!

 What makes The Now happy and what makes you unhappy?

 Being together makes us happy. Being together makes us unhappy too. It all comes down to the time and place. When you’ve spent day after day in a van together you want to kill each other! But as soon as it’s over you miss each other – it’s a weird one.

Photo Credit: Lloyd Stranaghan The Now’s debut album ‘Too Hot To Handle’ is released on Friday 1st March 2024 via Trew Music.

They will headline O2 Academy Islington 2, London, United Kingdom on 7th March 2024 and Station 18 Festival in Swansea, Wales on May 2024 Bank Holiday Weekend.

To pre-order the album, purchase tickets and more information visit their official website here: https://www.thenowuk.com/