Ahead of their four-city tour of the country, the indie outfit talks about their upcoming concept album, ‘David’ and why playing in India means a lot to them
Peasant's King. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Peasant’s King. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
When you go to catch Welsh indie rock act Peasant’s King on their upcoming four-city India tour, don’t be shocked to find a cutout of former One Direction singer Zayn Malik at their merch stall. The band has a laugh about it, explaining how they picked it up from bassist Lewys Mann’s pop-crazed younger sister. Says vocalist Danni Lafrombé over the phone from Wales, “He’s [Malik] quite flexible that way. He hasn’t got much going on these days.”
Peasant’s King came together in 2012, performing smooth soulful UK rock that is likely to interest fans of bands such as Kings of Leon and Mumford & Sons. The band is making its way to India to perform at the Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru editions of Bacardi NH7 Weekender this week. They will also play at a UK showcase at Mumbai’s Blue Frog. With India being their first international trip [Scotland isn’t very far off to exactly count], Peasant’s King have got pointers from fellow Welsh pop rockers Houdini Dax [who played at last year’s Weekender festivals]. Says Lafrombé, “We’ve been told, don’t eat a lot of curry.”
The band is visiting India as part of a continuing initiative with the Arts Council of Wales and BBC Wales, which supports 12 local bands through a program called Horizons. Guitarist Josh Bowles says, “There’s plenty of festival opportunities and lots of radio play. It’s a really great thing to be a part of.” Following their India tour, Peasant’s King will head to one of British recording industry’s most illustrious gigs ”“ recording at the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios in London. They’ll throw in one of their most popular song, “Antidotes,” as well as “Sedative,” for which they plan to bring in a string quartet. The move comes as evolutionary for the band who say their sound on their upcoming full-length album David, is “more expansive.” Bowles adds, “A lot more ideas flowed. It’s from being together longer as a band, getting comfortable with experimenting and writing in different ways.”
A concept album about Lafrombé’s grandfather who lived on through anecdotes narrated to him by his grandmother, David captures an old story set in Fifties UK, about love and life. The vocalist says, “He passed away before I was born. It was something where I just knew what to write, because it was so close to my heart.”
With the final mixes in their hands, Peasant’s King are going to wait a while before they release the album. They will, however, give Indian audiences a taste of their new material at their shows. Says Bowles, “It’s going to be a big experience for us. We just want people to get as much involved with our music as we want to get involved with India.”
Watch Peasant’s King’s new single “Give A Little Love,” off their upcoming album David
Peasant’s King India Tour 2015
November 29th ”“ Bacardi NH7 Weekender, New Delhi
December 3rd ”“ UK Showcase, Blue Frog, Mumbai
December 4th ”“ Bacardi NH7 Weekender, Pune
December 5th ”“ Bacardi NH7 Weekender, Bengaluru
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