“We Can’t Wait To Smash Into 2023” – an Interview with Krooked Tongue
Following November’s critically acclaimed single “Lupines”, championed by the likes of Ones To Watch, Loudwire, Louder Than War Radio and Sirius XM, Bristol-based rock trio Krooked Tongue start 2023 with a bang, returning with their new single “Velociraptor”. The trio of Oli Rainsford (Vocals, Bass), Dan Smith (Guitar) and Harry Pritchard (Drums) are releasing the new track today and it is taken from their upcoming EP which is due later this year.
A live favorite, “Velociraptor” has a driving guitar-riff with Oli’s lyrics about finding your inner animal and letting it loose – “And I could be your nightmare honey, I could be the monster under your bed…..Where are you going you know how this ends”. Another great track from the band – you can check it out below and also read our interview with Oli.
Hi Oli! How’s everything going right now?
Hey! Everything’s going amazing thanks! Last year was our first proper year as a band and it’s been such a rewarding one. We can’t wait to smash into 2023.
What classic album cover is your current mood?
Hmm, would probably say something like Sgt Peppers. So much going on, new versions of ourselves and new songs but it’s still us.
Your new single “Velociraptor” is out this week. What is it about and when/where did you record the track?
Yesss, can’t wait to get this tune out! We’ve been playing it a lot live recently and people have been asking for its release so it’s gonna be gratifying to give it its official debut. Lyrically when I first wrote Velociraptor, I was thinking about some of the times I didn’t do something that I wish I had. I guess it’s about missed opportunities, and how to correct the course of your life to get the most out of every day. Don’t waste time, make memories. Cos one day you’ll be in an arm chair smelling of mint imperials and piss and you’ll have to look back and face your life’s reflection. Then you’ll have to ask yourself, did I do it all?
It’s part of your upcoming EP. How does the rest of the record compare with “Velociraptor”?
Well there’s definitely a lot of variety with this EP. The newer stuff is definitely leaning more into the melodic elements that I’m a sucker for. Though, for the people who like throwing up the horns, there’s something for them here too. Something for everyone you could say.
If you could only listen to one record, what would it be?
I think as a band we’d probably say Mister Asylum by Highly Suspect. That album is a massive influence for us and it was so epic when we first heard it.
How and when did Krooked Tongue get together?
We all met at BIMM, our university in Bristol. But we’re essentially a band of mongrels composed from places all over (Oli – Birmingham, Harry – Liverpool, Dan – Plymouth) but we’ve made Bristol our home since then. It’s an amazing city!
Your sound has been described as “Queens Of The Stone Age breaking Royal Blood out of jail”? Were they the type of bands you grew up listening to or did you have other influences?
They’re strong influences for sure, though our influences vary individually. I’ve always preferred lyrics that comment rather than get all sappy about how someone feels. There’s exceptions obviously but for me, writers like Alex Turner, Win Butler, Kelly Jones, that’s the kind of subject matter that gives me that nostalgic and ‘lived in’ feeling.
You’re known for your live shows – are you heading back on tour soon for the EP?
Maybe, you’ll have to wait and see!
What would go on your signature pizza and what would it be called?
Well Oli and Pritch love jalapeños, so for a start whack a few of them on. Simple is better on a pizza so maybe a bit of pepperoni, maybe some basil. Fold it over, Sublime. Call it the Krooked Calzone.
What do you have planned for the rest of 2023?
Well we’ve been working on new material and it’s sounding better and better each time. Got a lot of shows to announce, the EP release. Some very exciting news to share. We’re eager to get going now.
Formed in 2019, Krooked Tongue burst onto the scene with the release of their celebrated debut single ‘I Wanna Steal Your Car’, word of their frenetic live shows and brooding lyrical commentary soon spread, leading them to embark on their first UK tour. With a handful of successful singles under their belt, the band spent 2020 honing in on a more refined studio sound with Josh Gallop (Phoxjaw, Mother Vulture) at Stage 2 Studios in Bath, helping to replicate their formidable live act.
The result of this was their critically acclaimed debut EP ‘No Vacancy Hotel’ released in February of 2022, which has since amassed over 150,000 streams and saw support from the likes of Ones To Watch, HardBeat Magazine and Distorted Sound Mag. The band’s upcoming track Velociraptor is the second single taken from their upcoming sophomore EP. Fierce and effortlessly cool, it’s a song about finding your inner animal and letting it loose.
Check out the band’s Bandcamp page to get their music and merch and follow them on Instagram and Twitter for all the latest news.
Photo Credits: Sam East
