Reasons to be Cheerful in 2021: Mush, Pottery

By Jon Milton

In our humble opinion, two of the best albums released in 2020 were the debuts by Mush and Pottery. I talked to Dan from Mush and Jacob from Pottery about their highlights of last year and found out what we can look forward to from them in 2021…

Mush

What were your highlights of 2020?
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It’s been a pretty big year for us, despite barely playing a note together since March. Our debut record came out in February, followed by an E.P for record store day and a cassette (originally conceived for cassette store day, prior to the Burger Records scandal). We played one show to mark the release of 3D Routine at our local Brudenell Social Club, March 7th. As it turned out it was going to be the last gig of the year for everyone in the venue. As it also turned out it would be our last gig together as a band, our guitarist Tyson passed away later in the year. That gig has kind of adopted a lot of importance now, it was a fun time and we played a good show. So I guess that’s one highlight.
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We also went into the studio again in August to record LP2, a kind of premature covid pregnancy, conceived ahead of it’s time due to the changes in our working schedule. For me this was the thing that salvaged the year for us as a band. We worked really hard and the lockdown gave us time to be more detail orientated and professional. We went back to Green Mount and worked with Jamie and Lee who are good pals and had a great time despite the circumstances surrounding the lockdown and issues with Steven.

What new music can we expect in 2021? 

Well Lines Redacted is out around Valentine's day as has become the tradition. I’ve been using the subsequent lockdowns to rebuild my liver and commence work on album 3. Maybe we could do a 2 album year, but I doubt we will get away with that. At the very least we will be back in the studio. I’m trying to remain cautiously pessimistic about gigging prospects and focus on what we can do which is write a shit load of material.

Pandemic permitting, what gig have you got lined up?

We have nothing booked in. We are going to be in a surreal position soon where we will have had our debut and second record out without having done a single tour. The next time we tour will probably be for our greatest hits record after the third comes out. We haven’t been able to get together due to the restrictions so far, but when the time is right we will get it sorted. Obviously we have a line up change to consider too.

Pandemic permitted do you have any festivals lined up?

None - sorry. Can’t blame the pandemic for that. No fucker booked us.

What are your hopes for the band in 2021
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Simple things really. It won’t take much to improve on 2020, I am very much looking forward to seeing the album come out. Mostly I am looking forward to being in a room making noise with friends again. I look forward to being able to write a record with less of a dystopian slant but I won't hold my breath on that front. A cold pint would be nice.

Pottery

What were your highlight(s) of 2020?  

Definitely our February Euro/Scandinavian tour, It was a blast. Felt like we just dodged a bullet with covid hitting a few weeks later and everything shutting down. It was almost a year ago now, time flies in this vacuum. 

When can we expect to hear new music from you in 2021, in digital and physical formats?  

The scaffolding is up on a new project, we're just currently on a lunch break. We'll have something back in your hands and ears as soon as we can. 

Pandemic permitting, what gigs have you got lined up?   

Nothing yet! We've been taking it really easy the past few months, taking time to ourselves to manage our own lives. We toured for the bulk of 2019 without much of a break, so this past year has been spent re-focusing and connecting with what we feel is right to be doing. We're keen to get back out there now.. taking it one step at a time!

Any festival appearances planned?  

We'll have to wait and see on this one ;)

What are your hopes for the band in 2021?  

To keep on truckin! We just want to enjoy our time together, make jokes and play music. Hoping everyone out there can stay safe and ride this covid wave till we're back at the clean shores of sweaty bars and venues!