Interview by Kris Peters
English rock outfit Slung’s upcoming debut album is a collaborative combustion of its members’ experiences, circumstances and supreme musicianship. Their sonic universe - comprising the power of guitarist Ali Johnson’s incendiary riffs, vocalist Katie Oldham’s enviable dynamic and tonal range, bassist Vlad Matveikov’s undulating, yet grounding bass lines and drummer Ravi Martin’s expert rhythmic punctuation - is a veritable musical supernova.
With influences covering most spectrums of the musical world - from Deftones and Baroness to Wednesday and MJ Lenderman to Queens of the Stone Age and even a sprinkling of Chappell Roan and Fleetwood Mac - Slung refuse to pigeon hole their music and as such have created a sound that is fresh, vibrant, and unmistakably their own.
With a debut duo of singles at the tail end of 2024, Slung’s sounds piqued interest among discerning ears across the industry and internet. But true to form, the band elected to hit the road in order to gain experience and connect with the people before releasing even one song. It was a brave but ultimately rewarding take on old school ethos that has seen Slung build a sizeable fan base that will only increase after the release of their first album In Ways on May 2.
HEAVY spoke with Vlad and Katie to find out more.
"We're really stoked that these songs we've been cooking up for ages are sneaking out," Vlad enthused. "And it's amazing that people from all over the world are enjoying them. It kind of makes this otherwise horrendously expensive and absolutely ludicrous hobby that is making music - because you can't make a living out of it - a bit more justifiable (laughs)."
We ask how they are feeling with the release date getting closer every day.
"I think it's kind of a mystery what's going to happen in May," Katie answered honestly, "because the way that we've formed this band, or the way this band has become what it is now, it feels so backwards a lot of the time. It feels like we recorded an album before we ever played live once and before or I ever sung these songs in front of a single other person, we recorded them. So when we hear them back now, after having gigged quite a lot the last year, they sound so different to how we're used to playing them.
But it's almost like a relic that you discover in the attic, and you're like, 'wow, what's this?' It's like a hidden gem. So there is this sense of nervousness, but mostly just excitement, because as I say, we're just so thrilled to have the chance to make this thing and release it. That alone is good enough for us. But what would be really nice is if there was a bunch of people who received it so warmly. Yeah, so nervous, but really excited."
In the full interview, the discussion centred on Slung's debut album In Ways. Vlad and Katie shared insights into their unconventional journey of recording the album before performing live, which has generated intrigue among listeners. Both artists expressed a mix of excitement and nervousness about the album's reception, highlighting the positive global traction their singles have received. They emphasized their gratitude for the opportunity to share their music, despite the challenges faced in the music industry.
Katie elaborated on the distinct sounds of their singles, such as Laughter, Collider, and Thinking About It, which showcase different facets of the band's identity. She noted that while some tracks maintain a sonic theme, others, particularly those influenced by country music, may surprise listeners. Vlad described the album as a journey with varied styles, referring to it as "bipolar" in its musical diversity. Both artists expressed confidence in the audience's ability to appreciate the album's cohesion, despite its eclectic influences and serious themes, which range from bullfighting to the sex worker industry.
The creative process behind the album was also discussed, with Katie sharing her unique approach of reinterpreting lyrics from other songwriters to craft her narratives. She highlighted the emotional depth of the song Nothing Left, written during a challenging time in her life. Vlad recounted his initial meeting with guitarist Ali in Australia, which laid the foundation for their band and more.
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