Neu Bastille: ‘It’s Always Nice To Meld Together Film And Music’

How is it that Gotye managed to reach the #1 spot in nineteen countries, having seemingly come out of nowhere? A lot of the reason lies in a cover of ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ by guitar wizard group Walk Off The Earth. One internet sensation later and 75 million people have heard the song. Nowadays major labels will search high and low for a similar viral spread. In truth, such a response can only come naturally. Bastille’s very first video, uploaded to the internet last year, managed to provoke a similar reaction, albeit on a smaller scale. It must be a humbling feeling?

“It was like nothing I’d ever expected,” says Dan Smith, who until recently used Bastille as a moniker for his solo work. Today he still writes all of the songs but when recording he recruits the help of bandmates. Smith is completely modest when talking about his spell of success - he’s anything but over his head with the Radio 1 plays and the YouTube covers: “I feel like I’ve been really lucky. People seem to have stumbled upon us; it’s slowly and surely grown quite naturally.’

But what was it in ‘Flaws’ that allowed Bastille to receive such a following in so short a space of time? The video comprises of footage from Terrence Malick’s 1973 flick ‘Badlands’. Smith himself has an undying love for film. In between gushing praise of David Lynch, we discuss favourite scenes and characters from Twin Peaks before coming to a sensible conclusion: “If I had my way, everyone in the world would be forced to watch it.”

The fact that Smith’s first work is a direct homage to one of the most disturbingly surreal shows ever to reach our television sets, suggests there’s more to the guy’s work than uplifting choruses and catchy mantras. When asking Dan if he feels his music has a certain darkness lurking beneath, he immediately replies; “it’s wicked that you detect it.” He continues; “sonically or melodically they might be more upbeat but if you listen to what they’re about they’re not necessarily happy songs.” Bastille’s brand of striking, multi-faceted pop is often more than meets the ear.

Will he ever accompany his songs with a dark feature length film? “It’s always nice to meld together your loves of film and music but it doesn’t always work.” This is the first time in our entire interview where Dan appears reserved. This is largely because much of our chat reflects on his whirlwind past year, of which he is entirely grateful for. But when it comes to future plans, Smith is well-grounded, sensibly considering his next steps, determined ensure that his recent fortune is not a flash in the pan success story. A debut album, due in September, will no doubt reveal what’s in that head of his, besides stellar cinema and sweet pop songs.

Bastille’s new single ‘Overjoyed’ will be released on 30th April via Virgin Records.

Taken from the May 2012 issue of DIY, available now. For more details click here.