They were either going to tell us Everything Or Nothing
It’s no exaggeration to say that Picture This are the biggest band in Ireland right now. After all, not only have their two albums both hit number one in their homeland, but they’ve just sold out Dublin’s 13,000 capacity 3Arena for five – five! – nights in a row, and brought along a certain Mr. Lewis Capaldi for support duties. That, dear reader, is Pretty Good Going.
It’s time for another round of Quickfire Questions
Naturally, when we found out that Picture This would be hitting this year’s Reading Festival, we popped them right at the top of our ‘must-see’ list; and, when we managed to charm our way into sitting down with the lads to pepper them with questions about themselves, we found out that they also happen to be absolutely bloody lovely.
So, without further ado, here’s a transcript of four twenty-something-year-old lads from Ireland answering questions about breaking records previously held by U2, their hidden dreams of being a Metallica tribute act, and a hell of a lot more.
How would you describe Picture This for people who don’t know you?
Jimmy (Rainsford, drums) – ‘I would describe us as a rock-pop band who play anthemic music that would – hopefully – be the soundtrack to your life.
So, you guys just sold out five nights (!!!) at Dublin’s 3Arena…
Ryan (Hennessy, vocals & guitar) – ‘That was incredible. The best week of our lives, for sure.
Jimmy – ‘It was insane. For us four to have a five-night stand at the most iconic venue in Ireland was just incredible. U2 played four nights there, and we did five… That’s just crazy, and we’re still getting our heads around it.
You’re touring Europe later this year, too – are there any shows that you’re particularly excited for?
Jimmy – ‘We’re definitely looking forward to playing the Roundhouse in London because it’s an iconic venue and London has always felt like our second home. Our second-ever show as a band was in London, at a venue called The Waiting Room in Stoke Newington, so we always love coming back to London. To be playing the Roundhouse within three years of being a band is huge, really; we’re really looking forward to it.
Any plans for new music?
Ryan – ‘There will be… Probably sooner than people think, too. We did only bring out an album in February, but we’re not waiting around. We’ve got some good momentum right now, so we’re looking to capitalise on that and not let it die out. There will be new music very, very soon – but, we can’t say when…
Jimmy – ‘The new music is a little bit different to the stuff that was on the album, too. As a band, we don’t consciously make any decisions to have ‘a certain sound’ – we just kind of let it happen, and if it goes that way then it goes that way. So, it might be different; but, to us, it doesn’t seem different. It just seems natural. But, for our fans… I think they’ll like it more than ever. It’s going to be amazing.
Do you guys usually block out time to write or do you write on the road?
Ryan – ‘We just write all the time. It doesn’t stop. I wish it could fuckin’ stop sometimes, but it doesn’t… It’s just a constant flow of music. We have a whole album written, recorded, and ready to go, so it’s just a matter of choosing the best time to put it out…
Jimmy – ‘We don’t self-indulge, and we don’t do anything else: we just get on with it and keep churning out music.
If you guys could be in any other band, which would it be; and, which instrument would you want to play?
Cliff (Deane, bassist) – Metallica, playing guitar.
Jimmy – I’d have to say: Metallica, playing drums. This is turning into a Metallica tribute act, isn’t it?
Ryan – I’d have to say… That I can’t play any instrument very well, but if I could, I’d play guitar for Oasis.
Owen (Cardiff, guitarist) – Drums, for Slipknot.
Describe each other in three words?
All – Cliff is funny, oblivious, and caring. Jimmy is smart, loyal, and organised. Ryan? He’s fashionable, talented, and creative. Owen’s eccentric, intelligent, and crazy. Done.