A NIGHT WITH NASARI Interview with up-and-coming punk rock band Nasari

A NIGHT WITH - NASARI -

Who would you say Nasari’s main influences are?

Cammy: Personally for my drumming, DIIV and Lou Reed Ewan: Yuck and Holograms at the moment Dave: Idles, Slaves, Shame, The Clash, The Buzzcocks...Could keep this list going for hours. Joshua: Placebo, hole, silverchair, DIIV, iceage

Do you find yourself often looking back to older music?

Ewan: I grew up listening to my Dad’s punk records as well ao that’s definitely been a big influence. When I was about 9/10, I was big into 80’s glam rock and basically wanted to be Slash. Nowadays though, I look back to everything from jazz to classical to old delta blues. Cammy: I look back the old punk stuff I listened to while growing up. Also the Rolling Stones were nearly all I listened to from age 11-14. Dave: Any music I’ve discovered through watching skate videos – I’ve discovered so

Where do you aspire to be in 10 years?

Cammy: Still playing music Ewan: Something creative, preferably something to do with music Dave: Hopefully not working a **** job Joshua: Yeah I can still see myself still playing music

What has been the most memorable moment for Nasari to date?

Cammy/Dave: It’s got to be playing Broadcast in Glasgow for Tenement Trail. It was an absolutely class day. Ewan: For me personally I loved playing at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh, because it was a great crowd. But I think the biggest thing was releasing Spoilt Milk, it was one of my biggest artistic achievements as I contributed to both the song and did the art for the cover. I’ve always been into cover art and did it for other bands, but it’s nice to do it for myself this time. Joshua: For me, it’s probably when we supported Peach Pit at Sneaky Pete’s.

What is the ultimate place you would like to perform in?

Ewan: Deep sea world. Joshua: It would be cool to play a festival. Cammy: Yeah, I would love to headline a festival at some point. Dave: The Barrowlands in Glasgow would be cool, maybe some big gigs in Manchester.

Can you see a link between the music industry and the fashion industry?

Joshua: Definitely, they coincide with each other greatly. Cammy: Absolutely. I consider the way you dress as one of the main ways of selfexpression and obviously music is an easy way to express yourself. Ewan: Definitely, music influences fashion and you can totally tell so much about someone just by their outfit, including their music taste. Someone wearing a ripped denim jacket with anarchy pins attached to it with Docs? Probably punk. An old guy in a smart tweed suit? Probably jazz, or classical music or something.

From chaotic metalheads to synthpop boppers - the 80s was a decade of sonic revolution. Nasari are a punk rock, Edinburgh-based 4 piece, who stylistically encapsulate the essence of the decade - creating a modernised take on the classic approaches in both music and fashion. I talked to them about their influences, from the studio to the stage. Words by Emma Ross Top left: Joshua Cakir (vocals), Ewan Mackie (guitar), Cammy Blonde (drums), Dave Reed (bass).

Do you think your personality is reflected in your personal style? If so, how would you define this?

Cammy: I like to think so. I’m quite easygoing and my style is often quite relaxed, like baggy jumper and converse. Joshua: Sometimes, I like to wear clothes on the basis of how I’m feeling that day. So it could be dark and dreary one day, but bright and colourful the next. Ewan: Probably. My style is very much expressing my taste in art. For example, I have a lot of black and white t-shirts with small but stylish illustrations. You could say the same for my tattoos too, I suppose. I think I just have a natural need to express myself in one way or another and fashion is included in that. I have a pair of converse that have lots of holes and doodles on them but I love that and I’m proud to wear them in that state because it matches my personality, which is just very expressive and messy and the opposite of minimalist. Dave: Maybe.

What was your favourite era for fashion?

Cammy: The 90s. Joshua: Yeah definitely the 90s. Ewan: That’s a hard one, but I love the whole 60s Jimi Hendrix vibe. As for me and my style, you could say the 90s grunge scene and also I love patterns from the 80s on jumpers and jackets. Dave: Gotta be the 80s.

If you could only keep one particular item of clothing in your wardrobe, what would you pick?

Cammy: my bolo tie Ewan: My blue 80s jumper I got on Ebay. I love the colours, the patterns and it’s comfy as heck. Dave: Probably just a black pair of Dickies 873 Slim Work Trousers - they go with anything and are always a safe option. Joshua: My Docs are a go-to, so probably them.

on the gig you’re playing?

Cammy: Trainers/black trousers/t-shirt. Can’t be too layered up because it gets real sweaty behind the kit. Ewan: Often we like to look could as a band and will wear outfits to compliment each other. Usually the thing binding us together is a suit jacket combined with out individual styles. Mine usually being a band t shirt under the blazer to keep things not too smart. If it’s purely my decision on the outfit it’ll probs be something expressing my interests. Last gig i wore my dads AC/ DC t-shirts purely as an ode to the old man Dave: Always try and switch it up, last gig it was white shirt, my girlfriends tartan trousers and Docs. Had my hair dyed blonde before that as well. Joshua: Yeah sort of what Mackie [Ewan] said - but it will vary to what I feel like on the day.

Images by Cahal Menzies & Rosie Sco.