Coming into being since 2014, brothers Joe Harvery and Jack Harvey created Clay┬áwith fellow members,┬áRob Gration and Danny Armitage. Since then, the band have received appraisals from radio legends such as Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens┬áwhilst also being sub-headliners on the Reading and Leeds BBC introducing stage in 2015. However, with the release of debut EP┬áHeaven,┬áthe band stumbled into headlining Leed’s first BBC introducing showcase. Being quite the catch up north, Clay┬áhave been bringing their Leeds charm nationwide with their August tour which saw the band sell out in certain venues. Now, with new track 6am┬árecently being released, the band are making a return to Cardiff. We got to chat to the band about all things Clay previous to their show┬áthis Wednesday, at Cardiff’s Full Moon venue…

YouÔÇÖve had a headline tour in August and now on tour again this December. What is the aim of this tour and what can we expect from this tour which is different from the last?

The aim is to play to as many of our fans as possible! We’re very lucky to have a rapidly growing fan base on a national scale, so I guess the main difference is the size of the tour. There are┬ámore shows and bigger venues than the one in August, with Cardiff and┬áSheffield already selling┬áout. The show has also evolved. There will be new songs that are a further exploration of ‘Clay’. Its gonna be unreal.

ÔÇÿ6amÔÇÖ has just been released this month, how has the reception been?

It’s been, without doubt, the best reception we’ve had so far. The releases, I feel, are very literal markers of our growth as a band. Its crazy that this song already means so much to people. We’re massively excited to play it live for everyone.

YouÔÇÖve had appraisals from the likes of Zane Low and Huw Stephens, do you think this has helped you as a band to widen your fanbase?

For sure! Its incredible to have the support of those people, as they have such massive influence. Its surreal to hear these people who we’ve grown up listening to on the radio, playing our tracks.

YouÔÇÖve been around since 2014, do you think it is hard to make a name for yourself in todayÔÇÖs current music scene? If so, what is your opinion on todayÔÇÖs music scene?

I think today’s music scene is pretty bland aside from the a select few.┬áThere’s advantages and disadvantages of being a band in this modern world. I think the instantly accessible nature of life nowadays makes it incredibly difficult for ‘scenes’ to form or sub-cultures to spawn, as people move on so quickly. On the plus side, it pushes artists to be consistently good and better with every song which is no bad thing. We’re making our name for ourselves for that reason exactly, we evolve and progress with each track and that’s┬ávery important.

What are you listening to at the minute?

Kanye, Declan McKenna, LANY.

What would you say differentiates you to any other indie band?

We’re better.

YouÔÇÖve mentioned that youÔÇÖre reinventing the modern perception of what a ÔÇÿbandÔÇÖ is. What do you mean by this?

I think people have this preconception about what a ‘band’ should sound like, and if a ‘band’ tries to explore other avenues, musically speaking, its often dismissed and people are scared to like it. Its the reason that people are constantly whinging that there’s no bands in the charts or on the radio. Guitar music has the tendency to be quite ignorant and stuck in the past, and that’s why artists that don’t push their boundaries, vanish eventually. Its boring. So we try not to have any inhibitions musically. One track may sound like Kanye West, one may sound like Michael Jackson. Its still Clay.

Is there an album on the way? 

Not just yet! But there will be new music soon!

Is there any particular influences in making your current music?

As a band, we’re very fussy with music, so we don’t listen to a great deal. We’re very guilty of listening to our own music as a source of inspiration, though.

Through building up your name as a band over two years, have there been any particular highlights?

Playing Leeds and Reading festivals was amazing. There’s so many! Zane Lowe being a fan is insane. Too many to mention!

With 2017 soon approaching what can we expect from Clay?

Bigger shows, bigger tracks.

Catch Clay┬áat Cardiff’s Full Moon on Wednesday the 14th of December…

 

Erin Brown