Next Wave #625: Happyness

A world of their own...

Happyness have never sought to be part of a scene. Hell, the London trio initially refused to play shows, preferring instead to seal themselves away, to focus on their own universe.

“We actually didn't play shows for a while,” explains frontman Jonny Allan. “I guess we gradually filtered down our musical tastes and us three kind of separated away from everything else which was happening around us personally.”

“Maybe we were just being solipsistic,” he continues, “but we kind of spent a lot of time thinking about us and being our own biggest fans in a barn for a year!”

Exquisitely executed fuzzed up garage punk with some adorable bubblegum melodies, Happyness are almost instantly addictive. The band released debut album 'Weird Little Birthday' last year, and off kilter piece of guitar music which seemed to echo amidst like minds across the land.

A happy accident, the band's debut album was born from endless meandering experimentation in the studio. “I think there's a lot to be said for not knowing what the fuck you're doing!” the singer laughs. “Which is very, very much the case with us.”

Snapped up by Moshi Moshi, Happyness are already focussing on their second album. It's a curious period for the band – big enough to command a cult audience, they're both carefree and aware of the growing pressure around them.

“There's definitely a comfort which comes with having more of a foundation, a structure behind you,” he admits. “Especially for us, we were totally on our own. There were a lot of people who did a lot for us and were very supportive but it always ended with us. Now, it still ends with us but there are people who have got our back.”

Not that Happyness feel part of a scene. Devoutly individual, those years spent locked in a rehearsal room have built up a mental block between the South London trio and much of their contemporaries. “We kind of never really had a group of bands that shared a particular ideal or regularly played with. We kind of just had to drop right in and figure out where we fitted. Which I guess we're still kind of doing!”

– – –

WHAT: Adorably fuzzed up garage rock
WHERE: South London
GET 3 SONGS: 'I Only Want To Be With You', 'Montreal Rock Band Somewhere', 'Weird Little Birthday Girl'

Photo Credit: Emilia Orving

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