Dork, June 2021 by Dork

Index Issue 55 | June 2021 | readdork.com | Down With Boring

Editor’s Letter Most magazines won’t give you a peek behind their luxurious curtains. They’ll be like swans, gliding on the shimmering surface - no indication of their stumpy little legs kicking below the waterline. Not us. We’re messy buggers. Truth be told, Holly Humberstone wasn’t originally supposed to be the cover star of this month’s Dork. We had something else lined-up - something big, that fell

through at the last minute due to that most glamorous of reasons, scheduling. But in that moment of panic, when we knew we needed to bring in someone exciting, fresh and very-very-US, our Hol was the perfect solution. With a new EP on the way, rumours have been circulating for a while about her forthcoming team up with The 1975’s Matty Healy (we’ve heard it, it’s obviously great). She’s ‘done’ US telly, makes

videos with grand, sweeping narratives and already notched her scorecard with an appearance in our start of the year Hype List. We always loved the super subs most anyway.

Stephen

Ø4 Intro 22 Hype 34 Features 56 Incoming Ø6. Jade Bird With her new album ‘Different Kinds of Light’ just announced, Jade Bird has moved to Austin, Texas and embraced who she wants to be.

‘Editor’ @stephenackroyd

14. Dove Cameron Dove Cameron might be a legitimate actual celebrity but she’s also just dropped a Really Very Brilliant Indeed new top disco-pop bop, ‘LazyBaby’.

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Holly Humberstone

22. Alaina Castillo Introducing a 21-year-old pop sensation in waiting.

Critical acclaim, start of year hype lists, big US telly performances and superstar collaborations - Holly Humberstone is ticking off all the checkpoints on her route to the top. As her new EP approaches, she’s just trying to stay true to herself.

4Ø.

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Easy Life

Royal Blood

For a band who claim they don’t know what they’re doing, Easy Life sure seem like they’re on a charge.

They’re still loud, they’re still proud - but on their third album, Royal Blood are switching things up.

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Waterparks

Rostam

Arrogant? Stupid? Calling your new album ‘Greatest Hits’ certainly takes a bit of swagger.

A chance encounter, a desire for change - Rostam is mixing things up for the better.

THE MAILBAG

readdork.com Editor Stephen Ackroyd Deputy Editor Victoria Sinden

Associate Editor Ali Shutler

Contributing Editors Jamie Muir, Martyn Young

Scribblers Aleksandra Brzezicka, Chris Taylor, Connor Fenton, Edie McQueen, Finlay Holden, Jake Hawkes, Jamie MacMillan, Jasleen Dhindsa, Jessica Goodman, Laura Freyaldenhoven, Liam Konemann, Neive McCarthy, Phoebe De Angelis, Steven Loftin Snappers Gadir Rajab, Henry Amman, Jason Stone, Jawn Rocha, Jordan Curtis Hughes, Katie Burdon, Mads Perch, Parri Thomas, Pooneh Ghana, Rosanna Jones, Sara Carpentieri, Sarah Louise Bennett, Tonje Thilesen, Wanda Martin, Zac Mahrouche

PUBLISHED FROM WELCOMETOTHEBUNKER.COM

26. Allison Ponthier With her first track ‘Cowboy’, Allison Ponthier announced herself as an icon in waiting,

5Ø. Bachelor Formed out of friendship, Jay Som’s Melina Duterte and Palehound’s Ellen Kempner have joined forces to form Bachelor. 52. Dayglow After a back-yard recorded debut that blew up, Sloan Struble’s Dayglow is back with a follow-up that’s only set to get bigger still.

UNIT 10, 23 GRANGE ROAD, HASTINGS, TN34 2RL

All material copyright (c). All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of The Bunker Publishing Ltd. Disclaimer: While every effort is made to ensure the information in this magazine is correct, changes can occur which affect the accuracy of copy, for which The Bunker Publishing Ltd holds no responsibility. The opinions of the contributors do not necessarily bear a relation to those of Dork or its staff and we disclaim liability for those impressions. Distributed nationally.

#HELPTHEHEDGEHOGS

If leaving food out for hedgehogs, use plain kitten biscuits or a specialist hedgehog food (sold in garden centres), which helps to keep their teeth sharp and clean.

Stuff we’ve been sent this month from ‘the stars’ (or their lovely publicity teams, but let’s pretend etc. etc.) MAJOR LABEL BRANDED CHOCOLATE BARS!

Thanks, RCA. We took a photo as soon as this arrived, because quite obviously we’ve already demolished it. Everyone else where is our chocolate? Don’t bother pitching us before it arrives.

A ZINE-Y THING

We like a bit of creativity - you might have noticed - so this beautifully crafted, corner bound, heavyweight flip-zinewhatsit from Emie Nathan is right up our street. It’s got lovely illustrations and has quite clearly had a whole load of love and attention. Top marks.

BEER!

Sinead O’Brien knows the way into our hearts. Sure, we might pretend it’s by dropping amazing new tracks and getting us all excited about music, but really - honestly - alcohol does the trick. Could have sent more than two cans, though. We’re greedy.

Intro THE BEATING HEART OF POP NEWS

This month

Jade Bird

After moving to Texas, Jade Bird is about to drop her second album. p6

Bloxx

Bloxx have managed to fit an entire career into one pandemic. With their debut album safely away, there’s a new EP coming too. p9

Vistas

With a second album due before they’ve even been able to tour their first, Vistas are back. p10

The Aces

The Aces have returned with a one off single that wears its heart on its sleeve. p13.

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HE’S STILL STANDING

Last month, Elton John showed up alongside the magnificent Rina Sawayama on a new version of her certified bop ‘Chosen Family’. If Elton is back on the ‘featured artist’ circuit, we figured we should use the magic of Photoshop to work out which current act he’d best suit joining up with next. And, well... the evidence is conclusive.

Billie’s back! Back!! THE BIG STORY

And indeed BACK!!! With a brand new single, a forthcoming second album due this summer and a stunning new look, pop megastar Billie Eilish has returned!

hen it comes to the top of the pop tree, Dear Reader, it’d be pretty easy to make a convincing argument for placing Billie Eilish right up there. After her era-defining debut album, and a recent show stopping documentary film, she’s returned with a brand new track - ‘Your Power’ - and news of a forthcoming new album too. A raw, timeless-yet-timely offering, Billie talked to BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac about ‘Your Power’ as she gave it a first spin. “I think this was like mid-summer last year and we had just that line, ‘Try not to abuse your power’, with that melody and that’s it,” she explained. “It was just that one line. We were not planning on writing a song. We went from that melody and kind of took it from there. “It’s a big subject, it’s about a lot of different things, and sadly, it’s relatable for people. You know how shit that is that it’s relatable for people? I’m not going to make it about my experiences because hundreds of thousands and millions of people have experienced this every single day. It’s

THE DETAILS Album title: ‘Happier Than Ever’ Release date: 30th July 2021 Tracklisting: ‘Getting Older’ ‘I Didn’t Change My Number’ ‘Billie Bossa Nova’ ‘my future’ ‘Oxytocin’ ‘GOLDWING’ ‘Lost Cause’ ‘Halley’s Comet’ ‘Not My Responsibility’ ‘OverHeated’ ‘Everybody Dies’ ‘Your Power’ ‘NDA’ ‘Therefore I Am’ ‘Happier Than Ever’ ‘Male Fantasy’

◤ Billie on the cover of British Vogue. The reveal got over a million likes in six minutes on Instagram.

VIDEO STAR

Lucy Dacus is back off boygenius duty with a brand new album, ‘Home Video’ It’s salad days of late for the solo efforts of the titanic trio that make up megagroup boygenius. Phoebe Bridgers has become one of the biggest names in alternative music, Julien Baker has delivered a standout new record, and now Lucy Dacus is back, back and-indeedback with a brand new album to complete the set. Her third full-length, ‘Home Video’ will arrive on 25th June via Matador. It’ll contain not only recent single ‘Thumbs’ - a fan favourite from live sets - but also new cut ‘Hot & Heavy’. “I thought I was writing ‘Hot & Heavy’ about an old friend,” Lucy explains, “but I realised along the way that it was just about me outgrowing past versions of myself. So much of life is submitting to change and saying goodbye even if you don’t want to. Now whenever I go to places that used to be significant to me, it feels like trespassing the past. I know that the teen version of me wouldn’t approve of me now, and that’s embarrassing and a little bit heartbreaking, even if I know intellectually that I like my life and who I am.” Those boygenius bandmates will both make an appearance on ‘Home Video’, contributing vocals on two songs for what could well be a career best for one of our very best storytellers. Check back for the Dork verdict next issue. P

everywhere you look. I hate it, and I wanted to say something,” The album - ‘Happier Than Ever’ - is set to arrive on 30th July, and features 16 tracks including singles ‘Therefore I Am’ and ‘My Future’. The record also sees Billie bringing in a brand new look, with blonde hair and a recent British Vogue cover shoot featuring corsets, latex and pin-up chic. Unveiling the new look on Instagram, she broke a record for likes, pulling in a million in six minutes. In the interview, she stated: “It’s about taking that power back, showing it off and not taking advantage with it. I’m not letting myself be owned anymore.” Too bloody right. P You can stream ‘Your Power’ on readdork.com and DSPs now. readdork.com 5.

COVER FEATURE

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HOLLY HUMBERSTONE

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FEATURES

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EASY LIFE

For a band who claim they don’t know what they’re doing, Easy Life sure seem like they’re on a charge. With their debut album finally here, it’s bucket and spade time for one of the hottest new acts on the planet. Words: Jamie Muir.

FEATURES

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ROYAL BLOOD

They’re still loud, they’re still proud - but on their third album, Royal Blood are switching things up. Words: Jamie MacMillan. Photos: Mads Perch.

ever mind all the awards, plaudits and sold-out arena tours; there was no disguising the trouble that was hiding on the horizon for Mike Kerr for some time before it swept in and crashed over the Royal Blood frontman. After a stratospheric rise for the Brighton band came a stumble, creatively if not commercially, and he soon found himself at a crossroads - both in his personal life and musically. Now coming out successfully on the other side, newly-found sobriety is going hand-in-hand with a triumphant record that is so good that it puts all the oooooohs into ‘Typhoons’. To say Royal Blood got

WHEN IT BECOMES LIFE OR DEATH LIKE THAT, IT’S PRETTY SERIOUS MIKE KERR very big, very fast is as big an understatement as it gets. If any evidence of that rapid promotion through the ranks was needed, then consider this. After applying to play The Great Escape in their hometown back in 2013, they were dismissed out of hand. The following year, however, they were the hottest act in (their own) town and the talk of ALL the towns. “I wrote to them saying, can we get a gig?” remembers Mike with a laugh today. “They said, ‘sorry, no’. I was like, fuck you guys! I’ve always given a little wink to readdork.com 45.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THIS MONTH IT’S...

Thomas Headon Yes, Dear Reader. We enjoy those ‘in depth’ interviews as much as anyone else. But - BUT we also enjoy the lighter side of music, too. We simply cannot go on any longer without knowing that Thomas Headon is also a connoisseur of Ross MacDonald from The 1975. WHAT WAS THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT? I spent all my birthday money from my 11th birthday on a Coldplay Live 2012 CD that came with like a t-shirt and poster. I don’t think I ever wore the t-shirt, but I would definitely recommend that if you’re looking for a good live album. WHAT DID YOU LAST DREAM ABOUT? Last night I had a dream my best friend and I literally sprinted through a shopping mall in order to sit front-row of a talk show in which Heidi Klum would be at. I don’t know why. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ALIENS? BRO THERE IS NO WAY THAT ALIENS DON’T EXIST, THE UNIVERSE IS LITERALLY INFINITE. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SMELL? The One Direction perfume. HAVE YOU GOT ANY SECRET TATTOOS? I have a new one on my inner arm I don’t think anyone noticed yet. I like the idea of having secret tattoos though I’m gonna roll with that more. Thanks, Dork. WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING THING THAT’S EVER HAPPENED TO YOU? Hmmmmm, nothing really completely stands out to me, but I feel like being born would be really embarrassing. Everybody in the room wants to hold you and look at you, usually while you’re naked. I

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can’t think about it. I hope nobody saw me being born. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BROKE? Okay, I have gone 20 years without ever putting a hole in any wall anywhere, but the other day I was running downstairs to go to the bathroom, and I fell over and completely knee’d the wall. Very large hole. Very big oops. IF YOU COULD FORM A SUPERGROUP OF YOUR CHOICE, WHO WOULD BE IN IT? Okay BET, so we got Josh Dun from twenty one pilots on drums, Johnny Buckland from Coldplay on guitar, Ross from The 1975 on bass, with Remi Wolf on vocals and songwriting and feature verse from Dominic Fike. Thank you. Someone make it happen. WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? I mean, I’m not really a spider guy. Like why did you bite me? What was the need for that? Other than that, I don’t know, probably something deep like losing someone. BATHS OR SHOWERS? Uh showers, baths are the worst thing imaginable if you want to clean yourself. WHAT’S THE MOST IMPRESSIVE THING YOU CAN COOK? Okay, when I was 18, I got obsessed with the idea of making really good pizza. I followed the pizza subreddit and literally made a different pizza every day. I’d say I’m pretty good at that. I also just really like cooking

in general. IF YOU WEREN’T A MUSICIAN, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? Probably working in a supermarket, trying to be a musician.

WHAT’S YOUR BREAKFAST OF CHOICE? You really can’t go wrong with an egg and bacon roll, can you? Always my first choice.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A GHOST? …I don’t recall. WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY? I recall getting lost at Disneyland when I was like 7. WHAT DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR? I mean, I’m not gonna lie here and say like “oh an avocado”, when the answer is definitely beer. IF WE GAVE YOU $10, WHAT WOULD YOU SPEND IT ON? Probably that egg and bacon roll I mentioned above.

CHOOSING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Being able to be invisible would be great. Mainly because you’d be able to suss things about before you do them. Like before you go into a party, go invisible, you hate someone there? Don’t go in. Perfect. Would come in handy. WHAT HAVE YOU GOT IN YOUR POCKETS RIGHT NOW? I’m answering these on a plane to Sydney right now, so I have a baggage receipt, my wallet, my AirPods case and my phone. Aside from the baggage receipt, that’s usually what’s in my pockets anyway. WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION? Lame, but probably my guitar. Is that nerdy? Yes. I don’t care. Let’s go with it. HOW PUNK ARE YOU OUT OF TEN? Pfffft, an 11. Wanna hear me recite every single lyric to every single My Chemical Romance song?

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SANDWICH FILLING? I’m a simple ham and cheese guy. Toast it. Perfect. I’m there.

WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE NEW BAND? DMA’s! I just got introduced to them, and now I feel behind. They’re playing non-stop recently.

IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPERPOWER OF YOUR

HOW TALL ARE YOU? 6 foot 5 inches.

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT? I mean, selling out an entire UK tour without ever playing a show before is pretty cool to me. Didn’t think I’d ever do that. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN THROWN OUT OF SOMEWHERE? I get thrown out of the movies all the time. I’m not a movie person man, like I don’t mean to be prick in there, but I just get bored of not talking or doing anything for two hours straight. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMBER OF ONE DIRECTION? Okay, considering I have about four cardboard cutouts of him, I think it’s definitely Harry. WHAT’S ONE THING YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY? I’m not sure about like ‘try’, but I really wanna get a pilots license one day, so I can fly a plane. I just think that’d be so cool. Like you’re in line at a bar, and they ask for ID, and you pull out a sweet old pilots license after you just flew your jet to get there. WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS? Okay Dork, where did this come from? I thought we were friends, man. P

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