We had the chance to sit down with The People Assembly, a band known for their wild, chaotic energy and loud, in-your-face sound. They describe their music as “post-space” and embrace unpredictability, crafting songs through a mix of happy accidents and big riffs. Based in Leicester, they take pride in making noise that’s as fun for them as it is for the crowd. Discover all about it in this interview!
How would you describe The People Assembly’s sound to someone unfamiliar with your music?
Like 6 people playing instruments wrong but really really well and really really loudly.
How did you come up with the term “post-space” to describe your sound, and what does it mean to you?
Nothing. Last we checked ‘space’ hasn't finished yet, but if anyone asks what kind of music we make ‘post-space’ is unequivocally the answer.
What drew you to the idea of creating music that feels confrontational and chaotic?
The Half-dozen brain cells we have between us get all fizzy when guitar big and loud. It would be nice if there was some higher artistic purpose to it, but loud make brain feel good.
Where does your energy and intensity on stage come from? Is it something you actively cultivate or does it happen naturally?
As the French say: it's the second one. How are we to expect other people to enjoy our music if we don’t.
How important is it for you to challenge and provoke your audience with your performances?
We’ll be the first to admit not everyone is gonna like our sound, even if it baffles us that it's possible for people to dislike our music. I think we like being told how brilliant we are too much to be deliberately confrontational, but we’ll stay accidentally confrontational until the day we die or lose all musical-instrument-playing limbs.
How do you balance structure and chaos in your music? Do you plan for those moments of unpredictability or let them happen organically?
As our style of writing has much more in common 100 monkeys on 100 typewriters than you'd think. We've just smashed and bumped into each other for 7 years until a functional songwriting method was eventually reached. So much is by accident but we're so good that this is fine.
What role do visual and conceptual elements play in your live shows?
We love to drink pints. Rowan will bring a flag and a DS sometimes and we are very snappy dressers.
What inspires your songwriting process?
Alcohol. It's £2.60 for a can of Redstripe at our rehearsal studio.
Do you focus on particular themes or let ideas develop naturally?
Biggest sound is the theme. When we write songs we like them to be naturally big. Also another theme is if you do a guitar solo you get to die. Riffs are allowed.
How does your environment and where you’re based influence your music?
Leicester is a music-industry Bermuda Triangle. There have been plenty of bands in our local scene who have inspired our noise, but we guarantee no one's ever heard of them because they're from Leicester. Leicester is also the greatest city in the UK, obviously. You don't get bester than Leicester
What’s your intention when you step on stage?
To be well good and not fuck up lots.
How do you keep your creative process fresh when approaching new material?
We gravitate towards making songs that make us say “that was wicked” whilst creatively filtering through ideas that make us say “that sounds well bad”.
How do you want your audience to feel when they leave one of your shows?
Not sad, and hopefully having enjoyed our wicked songs. Ideally we like them to come and tell us how brilliant we are.
What do you enjoy more: the process of writing and recording music or performing it live?
Playing live music is one of the top 3 things alongside beer and band interviews.
What’s the most memorable feedback or reaction you’ve had from an audience member after a show?
The time that a man who was severely hard of hearing said that “it wasn't his kind of thing” was particularly special.
How do you maintain a balance between the music being a personal outlet and something that resonates with others?
Our music is for us first. Trying to pander to an audience makes Green Day's latest album, turning you into a bad cover band of your own music. Make art for yourself because you think it's wicked and tell anyone who disagrees with you that they wear their sister's socks.
What’s the most exciting part of being in a band for you right now?
That as often right now (touch wood) we keep getting bloody better.
What’s next for The People Assembly? Are there any new projects, releases, or tour plans on the horizon?
All of the above. New music, new projects and tours of we ever find a way to pay for it. You cannot stop us.
What are your biggest goals or ambitions for the future of The People Assembly?
To play Jools Holland’s Hootenanny.
By the REAL Editorial Team | Oct 1, 2024