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1.) We’re very excited to have some time today with acclaimed indie-rock four-piece band away fans; greetings and salutations gang, and thanks for carving time from a busy schedule to speak with us here at Vents Magazine! Before we dive into the Q&A mosh-pit, could you all say ‘hi’ and introduce yourselves to our ever-inquisitive reading audience?
Tom (vocals): Hey Vents! I’m Tom – lead vocals, and also play an array of children’s percussion instruments, nominally to provide interesting rhythm, but mostly to wind up our drummer.
Boff (guitar): I’m Boff — I’m on guitar, dabble in beats, and spend far too long tweaking sounds on Ableton.
Matt (drums): I’m Matt — drummer, hat wearer, Kiwi.
Dave (bass/vocals): And I’m Dave — lover of fuzz pedals and pints of Guinness.
We’re away fans, and we’re buzzing to chat about our new single Keeping On.
2.) Major kudos and accolades on the all-in and immersive new single Keeping On featuring SEY.MOUR., set to rule the airwaves when it drops this October 17! Can you talk about what inspired this gem of a ditty?
Tom: Thematically, Keeping On is about those moments post the chaos of an argument with someone you love where the anger has dissipated, and you’re left with all these free-floating thoughts and contradictions and are just trying to process and work through that.
But musically this is our first real attempt to pull together the ideas of the more electronic rave records we love, with those classic ‘four blokes with guitars’ indie sound – hopefully creating something that sounds a bit different.
3.) How did the collaboration on Keeping On between away fans and SEY.MOUR. come about?
Boff: We met SEY.MOUR. (Alice) about a year ago at a show in London — she was on the same bill and absolutely smashed it. We started chatting, and soon after she reached out about doing something together.
Dave: She has an incredible range which can lend itself brilliantly to the UK Garage vocal sample style from the mid 90’s, and that’s something we wanted to incorporate with out latest single. Her voice brought this lush, richness to Keeping On – when the track gets heavy — booming bass, thick drums — her vocals float above all of that, giving you something to hold onto. It’s that same magic Rowetta had with Happy Mondays, or Denise Johnson with Primal Scream. Away Fans have got Alice!
4.) Speaking of collaborations, who did the producing honours on the Keeping On single and what did the in-studio collaboration between band and producer look like while fashioning and shaping this pip of a tune?
Tom: We worked with producer Harri Chambers, who completely got what we were trying to do. This is our third track with him, and even though we loved the last two, this one we feel we got the balance right in terms of bringing in some of these more dance-y electronic ideas, whilst still keeping that energy you get from playing live.
Alex: He helped polish our sound but also pushed us — using samples, synths, and general studio wizardry to make something layered and punchy, whilst still keeping that rock’n’roll core of four blokes hammering away on instruments.
Matt: The hybrid drum sound came from that process too — we started layering live and programmed beats. Boff built some heavy electronic grooves, Harri refined them, and then I jumped in to track the live drums — easiest 15 minutes work I’ve done (even if the pay is shite)!
5.) In your humble opinion, what differentiates the Keeping On single from the Distinguished Competition on the 2025 music landscape?
Tom: I think there’s a whole load of bands historically who managed to find this space between indie and dance – kind of uniting those two subcultures. Think Primal Scream, The Prodigy, Stone Roses etc. There are some bands doing some of that now, but no one really hitting that middle ground – that’s where we wanna be. We wanna make music for the lads who like to sink 8 pints and scream along to Champagne Supernova AND the lads who like to smash a few extra-curriculars and dance until 5am.
6.) In the wake of the October 17 release of Keeping On, should audiophiles keep eyes and ears on high alert for a possible EP or LP release in 2026?
Tom: All things are possible! We’ve got another release coming with SEY.MOUR this year, produced again by Harri Chambers, which we’re really proud of. Once that’s out we’ll see where we are, and hopefully keep pushing to get new music out.
Dave: We’re still trying to work out the best way to release things – whether that be individual releases, or trying for something bigger. Also, finding money and time to record an LP ain’t easy – if anyone with the big bucks wants to come and help us out, we’d be more than grateful!
7.) What does the touring/performing dance card look like for away fans in the coming weeks and months?
Matt: It’s a busy one! We’re supporting Mary Shelley at the Shacklewell Arms in London on October 28, then off to Utrecht, Netherlands on October 31 for a show with Mofgy and Splitting Edges. We’ve also got a big show on November 22 at LVLS in Hackney Wick with SEY.MOUR. and The Misses.
Alex: We’ve loved touring with Mofgy and Splitting Edges over the past few years, so are definitely looking at getting some more shows in with them – hopefully hitting up some new cities, and some old favs (looking at you Sheffield). Basically, more messiness, more sweaty venues, more fun!
8.) A question for all of you: Who are some of the folks both in and out of the world of music who have inspired you?
Tom: I think musically, our inspiration is kind of all over the place – ranging from those bands we grew up with like the Libertines and LCD Soundsystem, to older bands who we feel really pushed what a quote unquote ‘band’ could be – think Primal Scream, The Prodigy. But then there’s also people from the more electronic world of music doing amazing stuff now who I reach to for ideas – like Sherelle and Nia Archives, people like Sammy Virgi, and older people like Orbital, Underworld. There’s loads of them.
Boff: Outside of music, Mr Blobby for sure has been a huge influence – despite his very limited linguistic options, he manages to convey so much – it’s an exercise in how limitation breeds creativity. I think about that every day when trying out ideas.
9.) Speaking of inspiration, away fans hang their dusty fedoras in the heart of London, England. How do those specific stomping grounds contribute to the music you all make? Does the city inspire you and the music you create?
Tom: Half of us (me and Dave) grew up in London, and the other two moved here, so I think we’ve got very different experiences of the city, but fundamentally what’s around you is gonna influence what you do. I think growing up and living in London, when we think of those more electronic influences that are there, there’s always going to be bits of UK Garage, of Jungle, of those sounds which we heard growing up. But the thing about London is it’s always been eclectic and multicultural – growing up you were just as likely to smell akee and saltfish walking to your mates house, as you were pie and mash or fish and chips or whatever. Growing up with all that around you, you can’t help but absorb ideas from it, and it means that we’ve got so many more influences and ideas to draw on.
10.) At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving many-a-spin to the stunner of the single Keeping On?
Matt: Tinnitus if they’ve been listening loud enough, and maybe a t-shirt or two from the merch desk!
Tom: This single is a proper introduction to Away Fans – we hope they love and wanna hear more. Get down to shows, have dance with us, have a pint with us after. We love what we do, we just want more people to hear it, to connect with people, and hopefully give ‘em a good time.
Dave: Always remember, big beats are the best, get high all the time, and love away fans. Peace x
Live Dates:
- 28 Oct 2025 – Shacklewell Arms (London, UK) – supporting Mary Shelley
- 31 Oct 2025 – ACU, Utrecht, NL – with Mofgy and Splitting Edges
- 22 Nov 2025 – LVLS, Hackney Wick – all-dayer + SEY.MOUR. & The Missus
Follow:
instagram.com/awayfans.band
linktr.ee/awayfans
