Table of Contents
- Did you ever suppose Fontaines would make the shortlist?
- How did you have a good time? Have been there any sore heads?
- Is that this your probability to fly the flag for Eire on the worldwide stage then?
- Why do you suppose ‘A Hero’s Dying’ has linked with individuals?
- The place does the nomination rank in every part you’ve achieved thus far?
- You’re up in opposition to some fierce competitors within the Greatest Rock album class too, together with The Strokes and Michael Kiwanuka…
- Have you ever began interested by your plans for the precise ceremony?
- It feels just like the Grammys are lastly waking as much as requires variety, too – the Best Rock Performance features an all-female shortlist.
- You mentioned Fontaines D.C. are recording in the mean time. Does that imply a 3rd album might be right here prior to anticipated?
Fontaines D.C. have spoken out for the primary time on their shock Grammy nod, likening the landmark second to receiving “a cellphone name from house”.
The Dublin post-punk heroes secured a Greatest Rock Album nomination for ‘A Hero’s Death‘ – which acquired a four-star review from NME earlier this 12 months — throughout the nominations announcement for the 2021 Grammys earlier this week (November 24) .
Whereas they face powerful competitors from The Strokes, Michael Kiwanuka, Sturgill Simpson and Grace Potter, Fontaines D.C. say they’re nonetheless attempting to take the information in — telling NME that their nomination is only a “mad factor”.
NME caught up with frontman Grian Chatten to seek out out slightly bit extra about his band’s momentous Grammy nomination.
NME: Hello, Grian! Congratulations on the Grammy nod. How did you first discover out the information?
Grian Chatten: “Man, it was fucking psychological. I used to be sitting in my flat with my supervisor yesterday and he was throughout from me, simply his cellphone. He stood up and goes ‘Jesus Christ, what the fuck!’. My coronary heart simply dropped and I requested him if one thing dangerous was happening. He simply circled and mentioned: ‘You’ve been nominated for a fucking Grammy!”
Did you ever suppose Fontaines would make the shortlist?
“I didn’t even know we had been down for consideration, I didn’t even know when the fucking Grammys had been, or in the event that they had been going forward. It was actually like a cellphone name from house, it was that heavy.”
How did you have a good time? Have been there any sore heads?
“Effectively, we’re all in London in the mean time rehearsing and writing collectively, so we’re in the identical bubble and we’re allowed to see one another. The lads simply came visiting to my gaff and we had a few beers. We bought speaking about Sinéad O’Connor‘s efficiency on the Grammys in 1989 when she played ‘Mandinka‘. She was solely like 22 and for some motive it simply made us actually emotional about different Irish artists.
“I feel there’s solely one thing like six Irish acts to be ever nominated for a Grammy earlier than us, which is mad. However that Sinead O’Connor efficiency, I feel she’s bought a babygrow popping out of the again of her denims as a nod to the Magdalene Laundries and the Church in Eire. That was the factor I’d at all times stick on after I was getting emotional on New Yr’s Eve, so it’s mad that we’ll be in that canon.”
JAYSUS WE’VE BEEN NOMINATED FOR A GRAMMY FOR BEST ROCK ALBUM WITH A HERO’S DEATH@recordingacad pic.twitter.com/BkrgMVV6Q1
— Fontaines D.C. (@fontainesdublin) November 24, 2020
Is that this your probability to fly the flag for Eire on the worldwide stage then?
“Yeah, fuck it – why not! I hesitate in all conditions to say something like we’re flying the flag, however it’s a world occasion and it’s not each day that an Irish act will get nominated, so I can’t assist however really feel a way of that.”
Why do you suppose ‘A Hero’s Dying’ has linked with individuals?
“It was a fluke, the best way it was launched on the time of the pandemic and the lockdown. Nevertheless it offers with emotions of isolation in a means that isn’t crass or blatantly concerning the lockdown. I by no means need to write a track referred to as fucking ‘Coronavirus‘!
“Nevertheless it offers, realistically and subtly, with these emotions of isolation. It’s a reflective album and it’s about discovering, or not less than believing, that there’s mild on the finish of the tunnel. That hope is diminishing and replenishing in repeated patterns, which I feel individuals can relate to.”
The place does the nomination rank in every part you’ve achieved thus far?
“Effectively, when you consider achievements there’s two colleges of thought. There’s achievements and there’s simply mad stuff, y’know. I don’t know essentially if we’ve achieved this: it’s occurred and I don’t need to put this right down to our personal ability or expertise as a result of I feel there’s much more than that. It’s not essentially an achievement – it’s only a mad factor!”
You’re up in opposition to some fierce competitors within the Greatest Rock album class too, together with The Strokes and Michael Kiwanuka…
“Effectively, I don’t actually like The Strokes’ new album so I’d be aggravated if that gained! However I really like Michael Kiwanuka and he’s got the Mercury, so I feel he would possibly get this. I’d be completely happy sufficient if he did, however it’s a type of issues. You don’t need your thoughts to gallop off about who you’re up in opposition to.”
Have you ever began interested by your plans for the precise ceremony?
“It’s humorous you say that, as a result of at this second I’m dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s on my acceptance speech! I’m joking, however I’d like to go over and take my fiancée or some member of the family. It’d be nice to go for the joys of it. It’s extra of a mad reminiscence to ponder in your deathbed.”
It feels just like the Grammys are lastly waking as much as requires variety, too – the Best Rock Performance features an all-female shortlist.
“It’s so vital. I don’t need to be communicate on their behalf, however it’s so vital for younger individuals of any type of identification to really feel represented at that degree. They will really feel prefer it’s not past them and it’s not a world we’re rejecting.
“There’s a brilliant old video of Motörhead‘s Lemmy studying out fan mail from a black fan in America, who asks if he’s capable of turn out to be a rock star as a result of he’s black – Lemmy’s response is heartwarming. Simply having that type of illustration will make it simpler for individuals to really feel accepted.”
You mentioned Fontaines D.C. are recording in the mean time. Does that imply a 3rd album might be right here prior to anticipated?
“We’re flat-out writing and I can think about {that a} third album will likely be out prior to individuals anticipate, yeah. However I imply, you’ll be able to quote me on that, though you would possibly need to take it with a pinch of salt. We’re simply flat-out and the fireplace’s nonetheless burning. We’re nonetheless writing for a motive, which is simply the primary factor.”
