Five Questions And A Playlist: Squid
Five Questions And A Playlist: Squid

Emerging Brighton formed five-piece Squid are currently on an exciting upward trajectory. Their driving motorik rhythms and blended elements of psychedelic pop have earned them praise from a who’s who list of music press including Stereogum, The Line Of Best Fit and DIY. Their latest track ‘The Dial’ was voted as number one on a recent BBC Radio 6 music roundtable and has been chosen as Steve Lamacq’s Livener.
While their ability to craft engaging angular, 70s leaning post-punk singles is apparent on the recorded version of ‘The Dial’ below, it’s their live shows that are garnering them a growing reputation as a force to be reckoned with on the alternative music landscape.
As a precursor to their single launch at Brixton’s, Windmill on Saturday 13 October the band made us a playlist of the tracks that have inspired them over the years and answered some quick fire questions.
Tickets available here.
Who were your favourite bands / artists as a teenager?
Fuck Buttons, Joy Orbison and Deerhunter were big ones back in ‘09/’10. And also more landfill indie than you could shake a glowstick at.
When did you realise music could be a career?
I think we’re still in the realising stage of this. Personally, I’m quite terrified of the economic implications of being a full time hobbyist.
Do you have a job outside of music?
I work for a record label, Louis works for an arts charity, Anton is doing an internship in France for their arts council, Arthur tunes harpsichords and teaches children the Cello and Laurie is the tide wanderer, the wall knocker, the dulcet voice of a dulcet tone. He also “sells conservatory roofing from time to time”.
How well is live music supported in your hometown / city?
London’s music scene has been very well documented recently, there’s a massively vibrant array of bands and artists around at the moment. Jockstrap, Goat Girl, Black Midi and Scottibrains are some of our faves.
After the last general election I posted on Facebook “at least there will be some amazing music made from the next 5 years of misery and shit” and I couldn’t have been more spot on I reckon.
If you could make one change to the music industry what would it be?
This question is making my head hurt because I spend 40 hours a week in an office thinking about the music industry and then further time in Squid thinking about the music industry.
Some sort of readily available mental health service for bands/artists from record labels would be a good thing. We’ve never been on a tour or put out an album or done back to back days of promo so we can’t really speak from experience. But on paper, it’s not a healthy profession is it?
facebook.com/squiduk/
@squidbanduk