What do pubs, Lady Gaga and Margate all have in common? Sports Team, of course
This is A HOT MINUTE WITH, a quick-fire interview series championing all the rising talent catapulting into fashion, art and music’s fickle stratosphere. From pinch-me moments to bad dates and even worse chat-up lines, think of it as an overindulgent conversation – like the ones you have in sticky club toilets at 4.A.M. Except these guests don’t regret the overshare…
Not many people can say they almost beat LADY GAGA to the top of the charts, only to come in second place by a mere 500 sales. And while the inner gay within me might cheer that Mother Monster reigned supreme this time round, that’s not to say that UK-based indie band, SPORTS TEAM, didn’t deserve the top spot. With a Mercury Prize nominated debut album and headlining performance for GQ’s virtual Men of the Year Awards, not to mention an ardent fan base and ever-growing WhatsApp group - a chat for superfans to discuss everything from new releases to potential nicknames - the six-piece band are proving themselves to be regular household names.
In celebration of the easing of lockdown (if you haven’t been to the pub yet, honestly what are you doing?), the rambunctious group have dropped what is sure to be the song of the summer. Or at least, it’ll definitely be our song of the summer. An anthem of hope to lull ourselves into a (potentially false) sense that things are getting better and returning to ‘normal’, Happy (God’s Own Country) captures the spirit of today while also showing a cynical portrait of modern Britain.
Ahead of the single’s music video release, we spoke to frontman ALEX RICE to discuss the all important questions of his favourite pubs, go-to drink and his preference of North London vs South London.
Jeffrey Thomson: What is Sports Team’s life mantra?
Alex Rice: In for a penny, in for everything in the account.
JT: Where do you go to write your music?
AR: Always the house, they’ve got a basement in Margate with a bit of a studio set up there now.
JT: Where’s your favourite pub?
AR: So many pubs in our lives: Angies in Westbourne Park, Sporting Clube de Londres, The Cobbett, The Nags Head.
JT: What’s going to be your go-to drink of the summer?
AR: Lager, maybe a cider on the hotter days.
JT: House party or club night?
AR: House party.
JT: North London or South London?
AR: I’m living in New Cross Gate and our last band house was in Camberwell. I think the best one we ever had was in Harlesden though with a grand piano in the living room. So North, deep North I think.
JT: What is mundane to you?
AR: The Cabinet, The Fall.
JT: What is exciting to you?
AR: Watching Henry try and do eating challenges, and seeing your band become an answer on Pointless.
JT: Any last words?
AR: Vote.