Ventenner Talk New EP, Their Hometown And More

After rising through the ranks steadily from their 2014 album Distorture through to 2017’s Invidia record and following a series of EPs and singles, alternative rock hybrid outfit Ventenner return with new EP Slow Dissolve on Friday 31st October 2025 (Athanor Records). We chatted to Charlie from the band here: 

 

Who is in Ventenner, how did you meet and what do you play?

Ventenner started properly back in 2012 as a solo project. I had been playing around with demos and ideas of what I wanted to make but not really finding my sound. It was very industrial and loop based back then. I knew I wanted it to be a full band on stage but had no idea how to get there, so started releasing music and figured I’d find my way from there. Now it’s a little more consolidated. Luke (Jacobs, drummer) has always been there in one capacity or another, and after the last tour in 2023 Ted (Nieddu, guitarist) and Romy (Ben-Hur, guitarist/singer) have been much more involved with writing and recording. It’s been great, it’s a good mix of personalities. We made a good album last year. I try not to ask too much of anyone in the band, we all have our own lives and stuff going on.

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

There was a lot of music in my house when I was young. I didn’t really connect with it though, as my father was a jazz musician and my mother only really had music on in the car. My two older brothers were substantially older than me, so that was my first exposure to proper music, mid 80s pop rock and hair metal.

 

When did you begin songwriting?

Working in a bar in my mid 20’s. Just had an epiphany one day. Thought “I should start a band”. Literally had no idea how to write music, how to sing, how to play anything. Just bought a new PC and figured it out. I can confidently say that very little of it was good.

 

You have your new EP ‘Slow Dissolve’ released on Friday 31st October 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the EP?

I actually had no approach. We had collectively done the recent album ‘Exit Manual’ and that was a very dark and depressing rock record. I had some ideas left over that didn’t fit that album, which is often how the Ventenner EPs materialise. They are half way points between albums. I had also started a side project called Last Sign with a variety of vocalists, I wanted specifically female voices for it, which had never really got the push behind it it needed. So one of those songs was re-recorded and made it on there in the form of Sway. These songs were just the product of me personally at that time. I felt focussed and energetic and so they came out like that.

 

Where did you record the EP and who produced it?

I usually produce and record everything in my home studio. I get everything sounding just right and layered and big, and when it’s done I head to a studio in London with my long time collaborator Max Dobson Browne to do the vocals. He always gets what we’re doing and throws in ideas. On the last album Ted wrote a bunch of the songs so we did the usual back and forth. Luke tracks all his drum parts at home and sends them over. It’s really just like constructing a building, brick by brick, and it starts to take shape.

 

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

Absolutely none. I’m incredibly boring in the studio, I’m there to work and get the best out of the situation. Plus I’m sober these days, so it’s just endless black coffee and the occasional visit from my cats.

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

Yes, very much so. I create everything in Reason as my software of choice. But I’ve really had a big shift on the guitar focus over the last few years, in the sense that I’ve spent more time refining the sound and getting them exactly how I want. Previous guitarists in the band were just lazy and stuck an off the shelf guitar in a basic amp and never refined anything. Everyone spends years finding their tone, but I’ve nailed it now. I use Railhammer pickups on all my guitars now. They are astonishingly good, and I’ve switched loads of other people on to them. And Kuassa amps for everything.

 

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

The last song Relic was a difficult one to write. It’s very much me reflecting on my life, what will be thought of me when I’m gone. Did I do ok. Was I a good man, husband, friend. It’s been something I’ve been thinking about for a while.

 

Was it a difficult EP to write?

I never find writing difficult. It’s fun and easy and quick.

 

Who designed the EP artwork?

My wife is a superb photographer, and it is two of her photos put together. One of the Suffolk countryside where we live, turned upside down. And another added at the bottom. It really summed up the lyrical themes and the title of the EP.

 

You have released the single ‘Ultraviolet’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

It’s about examining things close up. Things that are only visible under a certain light, but are there all the time and affecting everything we do. A hidden hand so to speak. It’s about finding the hidden reason in our actions. Things that want to stay hidden for our own protection, but need to be uncovered if we ever want to move forward. You can’t ignore that stuff forever. Denial will never win.

 

Is the single accompanied by a visualiser?

No, I never had a big interest in anything video related. I listen to music on my phone like everyone else, I never take my phone out and watch a repeating loop of some bullshit to somehow enhance the experience. I just don’t get it. We did some videos in the past because it’s what bands do, but in reality I just don’t care. No one watches MTV anymore.

 

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

I have lived all over. The band was formed and cut it’s teeth in London. I’m currently on the wild Suffolk Coast miles from anywhere. The only place I actually feel at home is Los Angeles.

 

How do you look after your voices?

On tour I have certain things I do. The usual stuff like staying hydrated. I also have chocolate milk before a show. This whole thing about no dairy before a show is some old myth that everyone keeps repeating for some reason.

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?

Yes, but I can’t talk about them yet. We will be on tour in 2026, and have some cool things planned around it.

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

To have sounded as close to the recorded version of the songs as possible, and make sure that all the band have had a good time.

 

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

I don’t play much onstage anymore personally, but one thing I am always thankful for is our Protection Racket cases and gear. We’ve been using them on the road constantly for nearly 10 years and they are indestructible and perfect for the task at hand.

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

I never read novels, I just can’t do it. I read a lot of factual books though. History, autobiographies, science, psychology, language etc. I’d love to score anything directed by Osgood Perkins or Curry Barker though. They’re both ahead of the game on horror in my opinion.

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I don’t know if it’s the same for other musicians, but I rarely listen to anything that’s actually like what I make. I listen to a lot of film scores and instrumental musicians. Right now, my top listens are the new Jehnny Beth record, Shedfromthebody, A Swarm Of The Sun, Spotlights, A Storm Of Light and Jon Hopkins.

 

What makes Ventenner happy and what makes you unhappy?

When people connect with our music it is a wonderful thing. Selfishly it’s validating, but making a positive dent in someone else’s life, I remember that feeling as a teenager and listening to an album in my room and feeling less alone. We all had it, and being able to give that back is a good thing.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By For The Lost PR

Ventenner’s new EP ‘Slow Dissolve’ is released on Friday 31st October 2025 on Athanor Records.

Pre-save the EP – https://orcd.co/ventenner040