Indie four-piece We Were Promised Jetpacks have been absent from our stages and loudspeakers lately – following the release of third album ‘Unravelling’ in 2014.
However, they’ve not been idle, instead working on a new release for their new record label Big Scary Monsters.
So with the recording process complete, and back in Scotland, they have the chance for a break, in (hopefully) sunny Cardross, where Doune The Rabbit Hole festival takes place this weekend. Mind you, they’ll have to put in some work as well as they play the Jabberwocky Stagestage on Sunday. So a few days ago we took the chance to have a chat with guitarist Mike Palmer on their current plans…
The band have been quiet for a wee while, obviously you’re working on a new album, so will this show be a bit of a preview for the new material?
“Yes, new album worked on and finished! I don’t think I’m allowed to say when it’ll be out yet, but soon This year for sure. (since our chat, we do know that it’ll be on Big Scary Monsters in Europe, and probably self-released across the pond)
“I’m very excited by it. We made it with (The National and Frightened Rabbit producer) Jon Low in Philadelphia and his studio near Hudson and I’ve never been this happy with a record before. Writing and recording it was difficult, but difficult in the way that it’s supposed to be.
“But the post-recording process of mixing and mastering has been a total breeze. Which is new for us. We took a lot of care when recording making sure it sounded right, so when it came to mixing it was no stress at all.
“We’re all super happy with how it’s turned out and can’t wait for it to come out.”
You’re playing Doune the Rabbit Hole (the purpose of this piece!) – anyone you’re particularly looking forward to seeing on the bill?
“We’re just going on the Sunday so we’ll only be able to see Sunday bands. I’m very excited for Aidan and Hubby. That should be fun. Well, not “fun” but very good.
“We’re only doing a small handful of festivals. I like playing them. I like playing to a crowd that hasn’t necessarily come to see us and trying to win them over. We’ve got a new album coming out soon, and we’ve played all the songs from it live before, so we’ll be doing a bunch.
“I know people are always like ‘oh, new songs at festivals, eh?’ but it’ll be worth it. It’s not like we’re a band with actual hits, and the new songs are great. Well #, we think so anyway. Let’s see if other folk think so too.”
We Were Promised Jetpacks play Doune The Rabbit Hole on Sunday 15th July. The festival runs from Friday 13th with the likes of Dreadzone, The Beat, The Orb, Big Country, Aidan Moffat / RM Hubbert, The Levellers, Atari Teenage Riot and Carla J. Easton also on the bill. More at dounetherabbithole.co.uk