(not so) Ugly (UK)

It's been a while since I've done an interview, but I'm back! This time I've had the pleasure to talk to Samuel Goater, frontman of the Cambridge based indie band Ugly (UK). The band has a refreshing, rebellious sound with a bit of a DIY feel to it. Ugly consists of Sam, Harrison Jones, Charlie Wayne and Harry Shapiro.

Picture by Chloe Dunscombe

The year is nearly done, what was your band wise highlight of 2019?

We've had so many lovely things happen for us in 2019! We went on a European tour over the summer which was pretty special.

Do you have any big plans for 2020?

We’re currently recording some new music which we’ve been doing at a studio. We've never really done that before. It will be our first tracks as a six piece so that’s pretty exciting.

Album art for Sunday School (2018)

You have really cool album art for all EP’s and singles, did you hire an artist or did you make it yourself? And could you tell me a bit more about it?

The art has always been mainly done by our old bassist and beloved friend Brodie. However, the last couple of ones have been a bit of a collaboration where I take his art and make it worse. It seems to work for everyone.

How would you describe your aesthetic/sound?

It’s always a difficult question as we’ve all got very different styles and musical dispositions. But they all merge together in a very seamless way. Little bit of this, little bit of that. 

I’ve read all the band members are still in school. How do you combine music and school?

Yeah we’re all studying at the moment but we always make sure we’ve got time to do what needs to be done. Plus gigs are usually in the evening/weekend so we make it work.

Do you want to pursue the subjects you’re studying at the moment or make an even bigger career in music?

I study music technology so they sort of go hand in hand. I think it’s always the case that if we can make a career in music we will, but there’s no way of knowing really. We’re having a lovely time regardless.

What’s your favorite aspect of performing? 

It’s always a bit of a weird and surreal thing playing music you wrote to strangers on a stage. Bit of a bizarre concept but it’s a very uplifting experience, and to do it with friends is quite special.

What was your biggest rockstar moment so far?

I don’t know if we’ve had many to be fair, we love a nice wholesome pizza before we play. That’s pretty rocking to me.

You’ve been banned from the first club you’ve ever played in, what happened there? And do you think they’ll ever lift the ban?

The fable goes that we were young and had a lot of young friends who all got pretty drunk which the venue didn’t appreciate very much. I don’t think the ban is still in effect, the beef has been squashed.

What’s the golden tip for aspiring musicians?

Find people you love making and playing music with and spend as much time on it as possible, just have fun and be awesome and nice to people.