Interview by Jaimee Thein
These lads have been making their way around the world, and come Thursday, Nashville! Catfish and the Bottlemen have hit #1 on the UK charts with their sophomore album “The Ride” featuring “Soundcheck” , “7” and “Glasgow”.
On top of their game, Catfish and the Bottlemen won the 2016 Brit Award for British Breakthrough Artist. They made appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Late Late Show with James Corden and have been drawing big crowds at festivals such as Firefly and Governor’s Ball.
Catfish and the Bottlemen will be making their last stop of the month at Marathon Music Works October 27th (saved the best for last). We gave Bondy and Van a quick call to ask them about their favorite tour stops and plans when they are in Nashville!
Win tickets to the show here!
And now... a casual convo with Van McCann and Johnny "Bondy" Bond!
Do615: Is that a crocodile or an alligator on the album cover? Does it represent anything or is it a metaphor for anything?
Catfish: It’s an alligator: We were demoing the album and we name the back of the bus the alligator lounge because it had green neon lights. There was a bar we went to in New York called “ The Alligator Lounge”. I saw neon lights in my kitchen I called it the alligator lounge.
Do615: That’s very cool, I’m always curious how artwork is inspired.
Catfish: Tim Lahan in New York, did the first album artwork and has continued to do the artwork since we were really, really young.
Do615: You’ve been traveling the U.S. quite a bit, what have been some of your favorite cities?
Van: I’ve always really liked New York, it’s such an amazing city.
Bondy: I always have a good time in Chicago but I’m really excited for Nashville!
Do615: What are you most excited about coming to Nashville?
Catfish: It’s the last show of the tour so we are excited to check out the city. We were told to check out this honky tonk bar called Robert’s Western Bar.
Do615: Yes, we're very familiar with that bar. But make sure when you are here, you have to try hot chicken!
Catfish: Hot chicken, what is that?
Do615: Really spicy, seasoned fried chicken. It’s really good, I think y’all would like it!
Catfish: Is there anything else you suggest we try?
Do615: You should give Santa’s Pub a try, it’s the most popular karaoke bar in Nashville for locals.
Catfish: Yes, we’ve heard about it. Sounds like a great time! Are you going to join us!?
Do615: Absolutely!
*Starts to sing karaoke*
Do615: Is there anything else you want to do while you are here in town?
Catfish: I think it would be cool to check out the Country Music Hall of Fame and check out some local pubs!
Do615: Tell me something special about yourselves? Can you do anything cool or interesting?
Catfish: Bob can run really, really fast. We can do some magic tricks but that’s about it.
*More singing*
Do615: With the digital downloading and streaming taking music by storm, how do you feel about it? I know a lot of people in Nashville are not too excited about it, but I’d like to know what you think.
Catfish: I always prefer it live, I just think the more music, the more good music can be heard the better. It’s a good tool for promoting, but live music and buying the record is still a good thing. You appreciate it a different way, you soak up the lyrics and the artwork.
I think creating a song and within an hour it can be sent to Australia, that’s pretty cool. But either way that’s the way the world works and everyone’s got to get on board!
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