Youth and Nothing But the Youth: Interview with whenyoung

Whenyoung are just what is called for at this time of year: a zippy alt-rock trio combining zinging melodies and dinosaur-stomp guitars. From Pixies to Wolf Alice, it is unquestionably a well traversed formula – yet, as per the name, the London-based Limerick ensemble invest it with a wide-eyed vivacity. Their music is the soundtrack to the best indie disco ever.
“There are some things we missed about home,” says front woman Aoife Power, back in the old country for Christmas. “The humour, the friendliness. But we love being in London too.” 
“We live next to Shoreditch, which is full of artistic people.” Oh you mean, hipsters? “ People call them ‘hipsters’. That’s not really fair. There is so much creativity. It’s great for music and for art. So much is going on.”
They’ve just put out a rollicking new single, ‘Actor’, with a eye-grabbing accompanying video starring a model friend (when you live next to Shoreditch and play in a hot new indie crew you tend to have model friends).
This is part of the band’s long-term strategy, which has seen them play venues around the UK capital with a view to one day securing a record deal. However, they are savvy to the ways of the modern music business and understand you have to build a fanbase before securing the backing of a label, rather than the other way around.
“We’ve only actually played seven shows so it’s still early days,” says Power. “Hopefully labels will show interest. We’re not sitting around waiting for someone to call. You have to get out there and do it for yourself.”
Softly spoken and thoughtful, Power does not come across as an obvious attention seeker. It is true, she nods. In the early days, the idea of fronting a band filled her with jitters, but she’s worked through it.
“Initially, I found performing nerve wracking. I’m really into it now. I’ve always been in bands but never as front person. I write the songs in whenyoung, and it made sense that I would be the one to sing. It’s something I have come to enjoy.”
Power met guitarist Niall Burns and drummer Andrew Flood at school in Limerick city, and going to the UK wasn’t something they necessarily planned. Each left Ireland for their own reasons. Initially they played as Sisters (and were profiled in Hot Press in 2014), before changing their name to whenyoung. “Niall was the first to go… then Andrew. I went over for a trip initially. I liked it so I’ve stayed. I don’t know if it’s where I will always be, but now it feels right.”
They grew up together in Limerick, drawn together by a shared interest in alternative music. “When we were 15, 16 we would all go to the same gigs. We went to a club called Costello’s. Music was a major part of our friendship. There’s a lot happening in the city at the moment – some of our friends are in a band called Slow Riot who are fantastic.”
None of the band do music full time. When not ripping it up on stage, Power pays the rent by more sedate means. “I’m a gardener,” she nods. “You really have to have a job. With so many bands in London…. you think they’re pretty big and actually they still all have jobs. It’s competitive but there’s also a great scene and you make friendships with other musicians.”
Will Brexit impact on the group’s long-term plans? “Everyone is waiting to see what happen,” replies Power. “There is a lot of anger. In London especially, everybody wants to remain. It’s a weird time.”

The single ‘Actor’ is out now.