In Conversation With FEET
Credit: Percy Walker-Smith
Riotous and witty five-piece FEET are back with their latest offering since their debut full-length effort ‘What’s Inside Is More Than Just Ham’ was released in 2019. The new EP, ‘Walking Machine’, is jam-packed with quirky narratives and hooky riffs that make for an infectious and brilliant emergence into the indie scene. With their new release out in the world, we had the pleasure of chatting with frontman George about all things new music, COVID-19, and sonic coherence.
Known for their hooky choruses and tight-knit camaraderie, FEET have lived together since uni and isolated together since covid-19, and that more than translates into their on-stage performances and production of their music. Covid-19 very much acted as a creative double-edged sword – with some seeking solace in the isolation and using that time to expand their discography, where others found it to be dampening and finding themselves in the midst of writer’s block. For FEET luckily the former rang true - with George noting that the band manage to squeeze a lot of writing in that time.
Credit: Percy Walker-Smith
With the closure of venues and the halting of live music, many artists have found themselves struggling with gauging the quality of their sound. With many a musician testing the waters of new music by performing it live, the way music is made and received rapidly changed. Instagram live streams and TikToks suddenly arose in popularity - and keeping connected with our favourite artists is what helped most of us keep sane in such tumultuous times.
“In the band world, live music is your currency and what works live and what doesn’t, really helps to determine the sound of a record. Now venues are being allowed to open their doors I’m hoping to see a real influx of great bands, pushing forward into exciting territory musically”
On the title of the EP, George divulged that it’s exactly what it says on the tin – it’s a step forward in the world of FEET, an exciting new era that the band are sonically exploring. The initial handful of tracks set for release were scrapped, realigning their goals, the band aimed for a more cohesive sounding record – something they feel that they didn’t achieve with WIIMTJH.
Credit: Percy Walker-Smith
At only four tracks long but teeming with angsty energy and awe-inspiring instrumentation, the band have firmly planted the flag with their own brand of punk-pop. The explosive ‘Peace and Quiet’ and ‘Busy Waiting’ hold themselves as the energy-fuelled portions of the EP, where ‘Arena’ offers a softer side, with lush vocals and delicate guitar riffs.
“Arena is the last song on the EP that people wouldn’t have heard, as it’s one of the slower songs it presented maybe one of the biggest challenges”
To support the EP, FEET are heading out on a string of UK tour dates, with George commenting on how exciting the band are to get back out there playing to a room of people – there’s no doubt FEET will take advantage of every opportunity to put on the performance of their lives.