Hailing from Blackpool, upcoming five-piece Boston Manor have been getting quite a bit of attention recently. Between touring with the likes of Moose Blood and As It Is, and a recent signing to Pure Noise Records; it’s rather created a buzz for the release of their upcoming EP Saudade. (In case you were wondering, “saudade” is a Portuguese word to describe the feeling of nostalgia or the longing for a certain something or someone that seems to be absent from your life).
We caught up with vocalist Henry Cox to find out how things have been for the band since their recent signing, what to expect from the EP, the progress on a full-length and more!
MOSH: First of all, congrats on your recent signing to Pure Noise, that’s some exciting stuff. How have things changed for you as a band since the signing?
HC: Well it means our music is now reaching a much wider audience, and we now have a whole team of awesome people working with us, which is great. A lot of people think when you get signed that that’s it, you’re sorted. But we still have lots of hard work to do. We couldn’t ask for a better label though.
MOSH: The band’s first EP ‘Saudade’ with Pure Noise will be released at the end of November, what can we expect?
HC: It’s a little different. You’ll have to check it out and make your own conclusions. We’re really proud of it though, we can’t wait for people to hear it.
MOSH: How have your influences changed since the previous EP ‘Driftwood’?
HC: I mean, everyone’s always listening to different stuff and people’s music taste is constantly evolving. We wrote that EP nearly two years ago now so we’ve been listening to a wide variety of stuff and musically and creatively evolving since then.
MOSH: Word on the street is, you’re also currently quite busy working on a full-length. Can you give any updates on how that is going?
HC: We haven’t started recording yet, we’re still writing. But we’re really pleased with how it’s sounding. If you like Saudade, chances are you’ll like the album.
MOSH: 2015 has been quite a busy year for Boston Manor tour wise, what do you enjoy to do on the rare days off?
HC: Well we all still work when we can. I’m a videographer so I still work with bands when I’m off tour, which I love. Aside from that, I hang out with my wonderful girlfriend, go to shows, pester my cats and see my mates. Usual shit really!
MOSH: What would you say is the most valuable lesson you have learned from touring?
HC: I mean, there’s loads of tips I’ve learned as a vocalist. What to do and what not to do to preserve your voice and stay healthy and stuff, and I’m still learning. As far as just being in a band on tour… Just talk to people, hang out with bands you’re on tour with. Chat to people at shows and just be nice. We’re all in that room for the same reason, because we love live music. So embrace that while you can!
MOSH: You’re a relatively young band, but what would you say are your highest and lowest points as a band (so far)?
HC: The past year’s been such a blur. There’s been so many great moments. Supporting some of our favourite bands. Signing to PN was obviously a major high point. There hasn’t really been many low points, signing was a long process, which in the beginning was a little frustrating; but more than worth it.
MOSH: Boston Manor is often classified under the pop-punk label – and the genre’s been striving in the UK in the past couple of years – where do you see it heading in the future?
HC: I mean, we’ve never gone out of our way to classify ourselves as pop punk. We don’t even really listen to a lot of pop punk, I know that it’s going through a massive resurgence at the moment and it’s great to see so many kids and passionate about it.
MOSH: We’ve heard you’ve got quite diverse influences within the band, so what are some of the music you’re listening to right now?
HC: Personally I’ve been revisiting a lot of old hardcore I used to love, like Lifetime and Gorilla Biscuits. The new Deafheaven record is sick. We’ve all been jamming the new Kendrick Lamar album quite a lot in the van.
MOSH: Other than recording new material, how is 2016 shaping up for you so far?
HC: Not much we can talk about right now unfortunately. Got some cool tours coming up though. We’re going to be playing a lot of places we’ve never been before which is really exciting!
