Slaves often get mistaken for being angry. They’re primal, punky and not for the faint-hearted, but they’re not angry.
They do make a sh*t load of noise for a duo. Singing drummer Isaac Holman and guitarist Laurie Vincent’s music is mosh-pit inviting anarchy but predominantly they’re here to have fun. And they’re having a successful bash at it too.
This year will have seen the pair from Tunbridge Wells, Kent pull out a top 10 debut album with ‘Are You Satisfied’, a UK and US tour – oh and a Mercury-nomination alongside Florence And The Machine, Jamie xx and Gaz Coombes.
We had a quick catch-up with Isaac and Laurie ahead of the Friday’s Mercury Music Prize bash.
You’ve had a triumphant year, is there anything that could have made it better?
LV: More sleep.
Huge congratulations on your Mercury Prize nomination, how do you fancy your chances?
LV: Fair to middling.
We have been nominated for the Mercury prize. Wow. Thank you very much. xxx pic.twitter.com/jRPmbpyL19
— SOFT PLAY (@softplayband) October 16, 2015
Who do you think should win this year’s Mercury?
LV: SOAK.
IH: Wolf Alice
Crew @wolfalicemusic pic.twitter.com/V4HqTFVyXN
— SOFT PLAY (@softplayband) August 14, 2015
Who are your biggest inspirations?
Our parents and pets.
I hear you really love grime, what are your top three grime records?
IH – Dizzy Rascal, ‘Boy in da Corner’, Wiley, ‘Treddin’ on Thin Ice’, Kano, ‘Home Sweet Home’.
LV – Bonkaz, ‘We Run The Block’, Skepta, ‘That’s Not Me’, Stormzy, ‘Shut-Up’.
Describe one of the most surreal parties you’ve been to?
LV – Backstage with Bono and Noel G (U2 at the o2).
IH – A party in a flat I lived in where I couldn’t find the back garden.
https://twitter.com/LemonbeatsCHNL/status/633966185571328000
Who would you most like to go on tour with? Dead, alive or disbanded?
LV:Â Eminem.
IH: The Streets.
TURN YOUR TVS ON TOMORROW @10AM CAUSE WE'RE ON @MTVUK ROCKS SHARING OUR FAVE VIDEOS WITH U FOR OUR ULTIMATE ROCK RIOT pic.twitter.com/w87qYXwSRH
— SOFT PLAY (@softplayband) October 6, 2015
Is being part of a famed band turning out to be everything you thought it would be?
We don’t feel famous.
FOOTBALLS COMIN' OME XXX pic.twitter.com/H8KIpXfFuI
— SOFT PLAY (@softplayband) July 2, 2015
What do you do to relax?
LV: Paint, cook and watch Modern Family.
IH: Socials with animals…
Foot long and chill
— SOFT PLAY (@softplayband) November 15, 2015
When was the last time you were drunk?
LV: Berlin 11/11/15.
IH: Last Friday 13/11/15.
What’s been your biggest extravagance since landing your record deal?
LV: A juicer and a chain.
IH: A mini motorbike.
When in Germany…Ride a Harley and play a flying V and that xxxxxx pic.twitter.com/b8AKORf81b
— SOFT PLAY (@softplayband) June 6, 2015
If there was a fire, what five items would you save first and why?
Paintings, guitar, chilli plants, cats, Mercury Award, oops…
Where was your worst job?
LV: Odeon, Maidstone (Kent), I didn’t enjoy that.
IH: Not had a bad one yet.
When was the last time you cried?
LV: On tour in Japan when I was informed of a bereavement.
IH: Yesterday.
Tell us one of your regrets?
No regrets.
Are you getting back to Kent for Christmas, what are your plans?
IH: Yes I am, a family Christmas, perfect.
LV: Going to visit family and it’s my birthday.
