Q&A – 2000 Trees 2018 Artists: Reigning Days – August 2018

Hello! You guys played a fantastic set in the Axiom earlier today. How do you feel that your set went?

Dan: It was really hot, but it was good. I felt humble that there was so many people that were there so early. It’s amazing the amount of people that have taken the effort to take a few days off work and come here instead of the other major festivals that are around. I like the size of this festival and the people here. The atmosphere’s great. I love it.

Have you played at 2000 Trees before, or is this your first time here?

Dan: We played a couple of years back.

What is your favourite thing about the festival?

Dan: I’m getting used to the cashless thing now. It’s a bit strange. What I mainly like about it is the people and the acts. It’s just a bit of a nice, alternative vibe.

Joe: There’s no egos. Everyone here is really nice!

Dan: Yeah; you can just have a bit of a laugh and lots of fun. Everyone’s from different walks of life; of all ages. There are kids here on their parents’ shoulders and you’ve also got the older crowd. It’s great.

Elliot: It’s a bit weird that it’s on a school day actually, a Thursday; but it seems to work!

You released your album Eclipse in April, which has had a lot of positive reviews, including 4K’s in Kerrang magazine. How do you feel that the general reaction has been to your new music?

Dan: Personally I think that it’s been amazing. Like you say, there’s been some really good reviews and that’s great. I think the whole thing with releasing music these days, is it’s a bit of a needle in the haystack situation; there’s so much about, that unless you know where to look you won’t necessarily hear it. Before the internet, if it was on the radio then people would listen to it, like Oasis in the 90s. But, yeah, it’s been great. Loads of good reviews so far, and it’s fun to play live; so we’re looking forward to making the next one.

Can you tell us a bit about the experience of writing and recording the album?

Dan: It was emotional. It was hard work. We recorded it twice, so that was expensive; but we are where we are, we’re stronger people because of it, and I’m really proud of it.

What is your favourite track from the album to perform live?

Dan: We’ll all pick one! Mine is a track called My Sweet Love.

Joe: My favourite is Do You Feel.

Elliot: I’m going to agree with Joe, and say Do You Feel too.

Joe: I win!

Dan: No! Blast! Curse you all!

You’ve played quite a few festivals recently including Camden Rocks and Great Escape. How did those go?

Dan: I played Camden Rocks on my own as it was an acoustic thing. That was different and it was cool. The Great Escape was not so good. It was a ball-ache and a bit of a waste of time.

Joe: It was a long drive. I didn’t realise how far away Brighton is from Devon.

Elliot: I think it’s one of those things. To be part of it is good; but when there’s fifty venues and it’s all day long, and you end up on a tiny stage with no sound check in the middle of the day, it’s not great. I’d personally rather play less shows, and wait to play quality ones that are good.

In the future, if you could play anywhere in the world; where would you choose as your dream venue to play?

Dan: I’d like to play at Rock in Rio.

Joe: Yeah, that would be sick.

Dan: I don’t really know. Obviously it would be good to be part of something that huge. I want to do the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury. That’s been the pinnacle of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve missed it this year. I think anywhere with a good crowd who have come to see us is magical.

If you could choose any artists living or dead to play your own music festival, who would you choose?

Joe: That is an amazing question.

Elliot: Black Sabbath! Bam! Mainly because I don’t think they’ll be around for much longer.

Dan: I would put The Strokes on, just for my childhood times.

Joe: As Tall as Lions; just because they are the last band that I listened to.

Dan: As Tall as Lions were amazing.

What have you guys got planned as a band for the rest of the year?

Dan: We’re going on a team building holiday. We’re going to build rafts and get to know each other and we’re going to play spin the bottle. We’re going to get to know each other and play truth or dare and learn each others secrets! No, we’re not really; but we should. The truth is Joe’s having a baby. Not him, but his other half. We’ll all be doing lots of exciting shit!

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