CLEAN BANDIT has just unveiled their mighty new single Rockabye, featuring vocals from dancehall king, Sean Paul, and up-and-coming British singer, Anne-Marie. The Grammy Award-winning band has written and produced yet another huge anthem, which is sure to top streaming charts and playlists worldwide.
The latest release comes after Clean Bandit unleashed their huge comeback single Tears earlier this summer, featuring X Factor 2015 winner, Louisa Johnson.
AC: Looking back to when you first began making music together – how do you feel about your evolution as a band?
JACK PATTERSON: We are immensely proud of what Clean Bandit has become and are very happy with where we are. However, the music we are making now doesn’t allow for much improvisation as instrumentalists. I would love to spend some real and serious time exploring who each of us are as pianists, cellists and drummers – without having to worry about whether or not what we produce will be popular.
With the chart-topping success of Rather Be – has this added any pressure to the process of recording new material?
GRACE CHATTO: No, the pressure has always been there. When you walk into a studio it’s impossible not to be reminded of the countless epic recordings that have been made there before. We recorded Rather Be on Freddy Mercury’s piano for example.
Alongside your recent collaboration with Louisa Johnson, who else have you been working with on the new album?
GRACE CHATTO: Well we just finished our song with Sean Paul, and that was a dream come true. We’ve been working with Zara Larsson, Elton John, and many other amazing people.
Will there be any tonal or stylistic shifts in the new album, compared to your prior work?
GRACE CHATTO: All of our songs are kind of different from each other tonally, especially as we have different guest singers on each one, all with their own style and personality. I love dancehall and we have finally plucked up the courage to experiment with this style of music.
Can you give us any hints on upcoming singles from the record?
GRACE CHATTO: Our current one is called Rockabye and our next one will probably be called Symphonies.
PHOTOGRAPHY: RITA ZIMMERMANN
INTERVIEW: ADAM CROOKES
