A Word with Malady
Malady are a band you need to get to know… Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Formed in 2018, PJ, Ertan, Charlie and Khaleem (a new addition but an assured permanent fixture) began gigging just a few months later, forming a reputation through word of mouth. Dropping their brilliant first video Wheel of Fortune in the throes of lockdown, it’s safe to say their most recent and only streamable song leaves us wanting more.
An ode to the big smoke, the ridiculously appealing grooves and lamenting lyrics of London, I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Down perfectly capture the love/hate relationship with the gentrifying London we’ve all come to accept. Last week we had a little chat with frontman Percy to discuss the band’s inspirations, aspirations and what they’ve got in store for us.
LB: You guys are all based either in and around London, so I’m guessing your new song is drawn from these experiences – what's the main message of the song you want listeners to pick up on?
PJ: I think the song expresses the feeling of disappointment with somewhere that you really love but can see changing and becoming unrecognisable and hostile in many ways.
A lot of people experience this tricky relationship with London – it’s both this hub of creativity but also gentrification is increasing at a speed which seems pretty unsustainable, stifling creativity to a certain extent. What do you do when you’re in need of writing inspiration?
Literally last night we were rehearsing and I was trying to write a bit more but it's been pretty difficult because life’s quite stagnant. It’s a difficult one – I guess you have to try and delve into yourself and explore what makes you anxious, scared, happy and what not. Also listening to other people and gathering inspiration from conversations helps a lot.
What's been your soundtrack for sanity when searching for this inspiration?
I’ve been listening to the same things over and over because It’s comforting. I listened to the new Shygirl EP the other day as well as the new Kelly Lee Owens album – it’s good for walking and one of her songs is on our reference playlist for a song we’re currently trying to record.
You released ‘Wheel of Fortune’ back in June, recording the song through a DIY bedroom studio operation – what was this process like and was it always your intention to record like this or was it a symptom of lockdown?
We were supposed to record our first single ages ago but obviously because of COVID we couldn't. When you don't really have anything to aspire towards or keep you in connection with the world, it’s difficult to exist, so I guess ‘Wheel of Fortune was our way of ticking on.
PHOTOS BY ANNA LOWRY
How would you describe the concept of ‘The Wheel of Fortune’ in one sentence?
It’s an absurd thing – it spins and you don't know where it’s going to land, but whatever happens, you have to keep moving on and not feel lost.
Kind of like an abstract metaphor for life’s uncertainties?
Yeah, basically!
Gigs are finally coming back but we’ve still a way to go – what gig memories have kept you afloat during the past few months?
I’ve been watching a lot of old live videos from Glastonbury. Watching Grimes play Oblivion made me excited for the first time in a while, seeing people come together in a big way. Going through my camera roll also keeps me optimistic – you’ve got to keep thinking to yourself, ‘it’s happened before, so it’ll happen again soon.’
Speaking of venues, before the pandemic you guys were gigging a lot – what venue has a special place in your heart?
Definitely the Windmill. They’ve given us an opportunity to be shit for quite a while but still give us gigs and let us develop. There aren’t a lot of places in London that offer that opportunity. When I first started going to Goldsmiths, I went to a lot of gigs there, at least once or twice a week, and it inspired me to do what I do now.
Your recent release leaves us wanting more – what does the horizon hold for Malady?
We have a vague plan to record another single and put it out in the next month – you don't want to leave too much time between things since attention spans are dwindling every single day. It’s also good for us to have something to work towards!
To round things up, we’re going to do a London themed quick fire off the back of your latest song:
Supreme tube line/bus?
The 38 bus and the Victoria Line
Favourite place to dance?
Formerly Canavan’s (rest in peace). I’ve also had some good times in The Four Quarters basement
Apart from Malady (naturally), favourite band in London?
Wow…it’s really tricky! I might have to pass on this one.
Favourite movie set in London?
Clockwork Orange
PHOTOS BY ANNA LOWRY