Neu FTSE: ‘The Internet’s A Bastard’

You might recognise Sam Manville’s name. Particularly if you spent time worshipping bands on the Big Scary Monsters roster and beyond. Hymns, Blakfish, and so on and so forth - none of this really matters when you consider Sam’s current project, FTSE. Because it’s clearly one he’s sticking to for many years to come.



“People tell you that if you do something you like then other people will too - I never believed that really,” says the producer, backstage ahead of his debut show, supporting AlunaGeorge in Brixton, which by the way he’s totally unfazed about. Blame it on his experience of “travelling around the world in tour vans.”

Experience in other genres, particularly towards the heavier end of the spectrum, isn’t especially unique. George was immersed in such a scene before he met Aluna on Myspace, or so the story goes. FTSE initially began in mysterious circumstances. Oddball demos emerged. The project was nameless beyond the stock market reference.

But then out spilled the beans, and thereon Sam’s real identity. “The internet’s a bastard like that,” he quips. Not that there’s any embarrassment about the past. “I just wanted what I do to not be associated with anything other than itself.” It wasn’t about withholding identity, or upping mystique in a project just for the hell of it. He had other things on his mind: “I enjoy performing, but performing on stage and holding a public persona within the media are two different things.”

FTSE is essentially Sam’s truest expression to date. That’s all you need to know. It’s the sound of a guy who’s been involved in various distinct corners of music finding his comfort zone. Post bands, he took time out, attempting to write songs for popstars proper. And it left him at his wit’s end. “The whole thing is so fucking vacuous - I discovered that I’m shit at writing lyrics for other people…Writing a song about fancying a girl isn’t something I can do.”

What he can do, however, is much more crucial. Music was packed in for a while, and stepping aside paid dividends. “I decided to prioritise other things in my life and I think that was pivotal to the emergence of FTSE.” Debut EP ‘FTSE 1’ is a mission statement, wherein well-crafted productions mix with Sam’s distinct, low vocals. Underlying all of this is a confidence, roaming around and tying itself to the more organic elements and Manville’s electronic knowhow. There’s very little that can stop him from going ever onwards following this debut. “With FTSE, I feel for the first time I’ve got the freedom to do whatever I want.”



FTSE’s ‘FTSE 1’ EP is out now on Lucky Number. ‘FTSE II’ is released on 30th September.

Taken from the August 2013 issue of DIY, available now. For more details click here.