Interview with Deaf Havana

It’s always nice to see a band from the local scene turning out to be massive. Once you’ve filled up the support slot for Bruce Springsteen, you can say you’ve made it, no? That was the honour that the Norfolk-based band Deaf Havana had last year, when they appeared just before this cannon on the stage of the Hard Rock Calling events. Despite this tremendous achievement, the band’s hunger for more isn’t satisfied yet. “We are not anywhere near where we want to be, so life just goes on as normal really!”

Deaf Havana formed in 2005 when the original members met at the Kings Lynn campus of the University of West Anglia. Although this is often seen as the official starting point, the roots of the band can be traced even further back, when James and Lee were attending the Smithdon High School, as well as former member of the band, Ryan Mullor. “We used to play there at local venues”, they tell us. “Queens Arms in Lynn, Blue and Gold, Social Club in Heacham and the Vic Inn Snettisham were a few of the venues we got covered back then. Those days were the best and worst of touring.” It’s easy to start thinking that the band has always lived up to their motto of “Alcohol and rockin’ ‘n’ rollin’”, but then again, if that were their first priority, would it have gotten them where they are now?

Apart from Bruce Springsteen, the band has also been spotted as the support of Muse, Architects and Skindred. It wouldn’t be surprising if those experiences had some kind of influence on the sound Deaf Havana brings, but the band denies that. “The only one who had some influence on the band was Springsteen. He’s one of the biggest legends in the music industry, and we got to meet him. [He’s] such a nice guy with no ego. We all hope to stay like that.” Staying modest might proof to be a challenge, given Deaf Havana’s massive repertoire and the experiences it brings. Since 2005, the band has been releasing a new album each year, with the only exception being 2010. We ask about the gap: “touring and life’s unexpected events! We have the privilege of doing many things all around the world. We never know what’s around the corner, and that’s where we get our inspiration from, I guess.”

One might think they’ll go with the flow and release another album this year, but that isn’t likely to happen. “The next album will be another step into a new direction – we are not in the game of making the same album twice – so this year won’t see a new release. We never plan on when to have an album ready as well. When we have toured this album and have new material that we’re happy with, then we’ll put out a new record. Not earlier.” It’s always hard to please everyone when you come up with a new album. That’s something the reviews of their latest album have proven. “You will never make something everyone likes! If we did, we wouldn’t need to make another album. We enjoy experimenting with music and making what we like. Some people love what we do, and that’s who we’re doing it for.”

We can only curiously wonder what the future album will sound like. Throughout the years, Deaf Havana’s sound has been described as power-pop, post-hardcore, pop-punk and classic rock. “We’re constantly evolving, but now I think we’ve found a more mature sound that we are happy with.” The playroom in which they create this sound, is currently being offered by the BMG/Chrysalis label. In 2008 however, the band was with The Wolf At Your Door-label before making a transition to their current one. “We just grew as a band and moved onto a major label. And now at BMG/Chrysalis they have let us do what we want in most of the recording process. They have given us a great name and funding to back the recording and release. We get the best of both worlds really.”

And now, Deaf Havana is bringing one of those worlds to Norwich, with a gig at the UEA on April 1st. “We always love coming back to play the towns and cities where we went to our first gigs.” Describing their gig as a ‘musical extravaganza’, the reunion between Norwich and Deaf Havana will probably be one hell of a night to remember.

Yarreth Plysier

Deaf Havana play the Nick Rayns LCR @ the UEA on April 1st. For tickets, go to www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk