In Dork’s December/January issue (feat. The 1975, out now), we tackled a bunch of our favourite new bands – the ones whose gigs buzz with excitement, who inspire more devotion in their fans than Emmerdale does from our grans, and who will undoubtedly make 2017 special. Will Joseph Cook is “feeling great.”
How have you found 2016? What was the most exciting thing that happened for you?
Poor 2016, it didn’t ask for any of this. Fortunately, a lot of cool stuff has happened too. Highlights for me and my music have been getting to make dumb videos and hearing the tunes on the radio. Top of the list was my last tour, playing to and meeting lots of fans.
What do you think has been the biggest music-related news story of 2016?
The decline of SoundCloud has been quite a big one for me. It’s a shame to see a such an open and fertile site for new music fall apart over licensing issues. I guess it is a necessary change though as streaming becomes a much larger industry.
What song would you crown banger of the year?
I feel like this question requires a passionate and in-depth debate BUT the first banger I thought of was Kaytranada’s ‘Lite Spots’.
You’ve had a super busy year – how’s your debut album coming along? Is it nearly there now?
It’s very almost there, I have three or so tracks that I really want to finish before the year is out and then it’s time to get brutal and trim off the track listing.
What is the absolute best thing about the album, do you think?
It comes from a very genuine and uncompromised place, so I hope that comes across when people hear it.
Did you have a clear idea of what you wanted to create when you first started the album, and did your objective change during its creation?
The direction definitely changed, I think that’s quite common with first albums. I started recording initial ideas this time last year, but I have grown a lot as a creative since then. This is the first year out of school for me, I’d never previously had that freedom and time to focus on my music. There was definitely a click with songs like ‘Girls Like Me’ and ‘Take Me Dancing’ and from then on I had a lot more clarity.
Do you have any resolutions for 2017?
I really want to play a show in Japan, so if anyone wants to make that happen hmu.
Who do you think will be the biggest new band of 2017?
Hands down, Justin Kuritzkes. 2017 is his year. [sc name=”stopper” ]