By Katie Hubbard, Second Year Geography
Epigram Music chat to up and coming indie pop duo, APRE - just before they get huge!
“It’s the longest tour we’ve ever done” – Charlie Brown, singer and guitarist of alternative pop duo Apre tells me just before they perform at Exchange in Bristol (supporting Inhaler in their epic headline tour.) Charlie is joined by other half of the band, Jules Konieczny, “It’s been really good, really fun,” he reveals. Despite having just travelled down to Bristol all the way from Glasgow earlier today they are in good spirits.
The London-based band have toured a remarkable amount, considering their recent formation in 2018. Their unique brand of alternative pop, drawing influences from “the 2000s indie scene, Bombay Bicycle Club, Two Door Cinema Club and Foals”, is well suited to the live arena and has been gladly received by crowds on the Inhaler tour (Jules tells me that “Europe was wicked”). It’s a good thing the pair enjoy touring as they have just been announced as support for Half Alive on their massive European tour, starting in Zurich in late October. Mentions of Half Alive leads into a discussion about dancing; Half Alive arguably have some of the most impressive dance moves in the music industry. When asked if they were planning on rolling out a similar style of synchronised dance on the tour, I’m told to expect “pretty good dad dancing.” Jules explains that he thinks their dancing has improved a lot recently. “Speak for yourself mate”, retorts Charlie, highlighting the charisma and close relationship between the bandmates.
The band’s latest release, 2.45, a collection of all their previous EPs, was a special curation for Record Store Day and was on sale at the merch stand after the gig. Containing some of their most popular songs to date (such as ‘Gap Year 2008’ and ‘Come Down’), it perfectly showcases their consistency and versatility as a band. The synth-heavy alternative pop clearly showcases the band’s influences, especially when listening to songs like ‘All yours’, which wouldn’t sound out of place on an early Foals album. Jules tells me that they will soon be releasing new song ‘Dream World’, a “vibey, dark track” that is his favourite song of theirs. There is also talk of a new EP being released by the end of this year and, unexpectedly, a potential Christmas song. According to Charlie, it was written as a joke around 2 years ago, but “they (record label) really liked it.” Hopefully it will get released as there is a definite deficit of alternative Christmas songs out there, and as Jules reminds me, Christmas songs are “the gift that keeps on giving.”
Aside from new EPs and potential Christmas number ones, the band have more definitive plans in the form of a UK headline tour taking place next February- they’ll be visiting The Louisiana in Bristol on the 22nd. The band tell me that Leeds (also a destination on the headline tour) is one of their favourite places to play, which is met with an excited response by my friend and former Leeds resident Liv, who has accompanied me to the gig. I question the band on their thoughts of The Cookie in Leicester (my local home venue) and am met with an anecdote from Charlie about buying some expensive yet disappointing sushi, what the Midlands are soon to be renowned for after this interview goes to press.
All jokes aside, the hard working and charismatic band are a pleasure to interview, and really put on a great performance later that night. If you like alternative- indie pop music be sure to give these guys a listen and you won’t be disappointed. You never know, they might just be the soundtrack to your Christmas this year.
Featured Image: Chuff Media
