Much like we endeavour every year before Bloodstock, this year, for Scotland’s Wildfire Festival which kicks off on 22nd June, we’re interviewing every band set to play the stages of Wiston. You get to hear (or read) right from the horse’s mouth who you should be watching over the course of the weekend.
Previous years have seen some excellent acts grace the stages as our reviews can attest to and trust us when we say this year is no different! So get reading and listening so you can plan your coffee/beer/food breaks accordingly…
Our thanks to all the bands for taking the time out to answer our questions!
Tarot Rats
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We hail from the beautiful Kentish countryside towns of Cranbrook & Tunbridge Wells.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
Tarot Rats has been going for 3 years, but the current line-up is into its second year now.
Where does the name of the band come from?
It was inspired by old tattoo designs taken from vintage Tarot cards. Rats appear quite frequently on these old cards, plus it’s rad, and we’re a bit hippy.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We were described in a review recently as “feverish psych-infested blues rock” inspired by the 60s and 70s, which we liked, but we do pride ourselves on keeping our sound fresh and contemporary. We’re unique in that we don’t write with any particular agenda or genre in mind. It all comes from the soul.
What’s your live show like? Why should people watch you?
We’re all seasoned performers, having learnt a hell of a lot on the winding road that is life and music, and this comes across in our live performances. If it’s not enough to watch five musicians on an energy rampage, Tim wears stupidly tight tros, just in case. There’s something for everyone. We love to play up to the crowd, or in Tim’s case, perform in it.
Have you played Wildfire before? If so, when?
Never done Wildfire, but we can’t wait! Heard so many good things about it.
What sort of setlist can we expect?
We’ll bring out the big guns in the set for sure, but we’ll also show a slight melancholic side too, which we’re not afraid to do, so we will be providing the full Rats experience.
Which band are you most looking forward to seeing?
We can’t wait to see Gallows Circus again. We’ve done some gigs before with them, top lads and an awesome band. Having said that, we’re also definitely looking forward to rocking out to Theia and Those Damn Crows.
What have you got planned for the second half of 2018?
We’ll be continuing our Pretty Faceless EP tour with a string of headline shows in the south-east, and if time allows, we’re aiming to hit the studio again and cut another EP or at least a belting single.
What’s been the highlight for the band’s career so far?
We’ve had so many great experiences in the band, like playing the Troubadour in Earls Court in a last-minute jaunt to London, and every show has something to take away from, especially in our home county at the The Forum in Tunbridge Wells, cracking venue. But on a personal level and for many reasons, some of which a bit dark, headlining Sofarsounds London in 2016 was a huge milestone, and just the most intense yet humbling experience.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Johnny got his guitar stuck in a ceiling doing a windmill, like some sort of fucked-up Excalibur. Tim ed out once one stage, but luckily it was in a middle eight, and woke up in time for the end chorus.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be ing and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
Oh, man! There’s so many to choose from, we ire so many great artists. In a fantasy world we’d love to follow a band like the Blues Pills and someone ridiculously huge like Muse. Can you make that happen please, Moshville? *wink*
What day/time are you playing at Wildfire? (If you have your slot yet!)
As we speak we don’t have our time-slot yet, but we’re hoping for a Saturday afternoon/evening slot. You can expect a great show whenever we’re on.
Pistonhead Lager, Cloven Hoof rum or Thistly Cross cider? And yes, we’ll be counting the votes!
We’re definitely a beer and rum band, but Johnny’s on the rum bus constantly, so it’ll be Cloven Hoof all the way!
Tarot Rats: official | facebook | twitter | instagram
