With a string of praise from BBC Introducing and 6Music for their previous singles GAUDY and Gold Tongue already under their belt, Manchester-based indie-popsters Posh Chocolates have now returned to unveil their next hit-in-the-making Dose.
Filled with a bold and vibrant aesthetic, mixing grooving basslines, jazzy keys and sparkling guitar hooks, this new release sees them deliver the bright and upbeat new delight that we are all in need of right now. Channelling the uplifting flow of Glass Animals and The 1975, Dose is the perfect accompaniment to these sunny days ahead.
So with their new jam providing a fresh release from these lockdown blues right now, we sat down with frontman Christian Ellery to find out more about their new offering and what we can expect from them in the near future.
Hi Posh Chocolates, how are you today?
Standard answer? All good. Truthful answer? Could be better! Insomnia is getting the best of me in this touchy time…
For those that aren’t familiar with your music, how would you best describe your sound?
Somewhere in the midst between French electro and guitar pop? I’d say that’s where my tent is pitched.
And what artists have influenced you the most over the years?
I grew up on rock music from a young age – Jack White was probably the first muse I remember having within music. I think there was a pain portrayed within blues that subconsciously resonated within me even that early in life. Jack White was the one who modernised the blues and made it more accessible to my ears back then and probably pushed me to want to play guitar. Since then, I’ve been through fads of obsession on all different dark ends of the genre spectrum. From death metal to house, with plenty of classical and even experimental field recordings. This is probably why my sound is still evolving so much. Though influence from these places may not directly be reflected in my pop based music, there are definitely elements that I’ve learned hidden in there.
You have just released your latest single ‘Dose’. Can you tell us a little bit about how that track came about?
Dose is born from contemplation about my affliction between addiction, and the conviction of a new love interest. Often I feel love can be the main offender when it comes to provoking feelings of addiction, and seeking a dose of someone to replace urges to endeavour in substance is a profound feeling. I’m always seeking ‘company’, whether it be friendship, love, or just turning to the potion. ‘Hide my shady sauce syndrome,’ states the chorus (sadly, already often misheard as ‘sausage rolls’). The question is, to whom am I picking up the phone?
And are you planning to make it part of a larger release, such as an EP or album, in the months to come?
Covid-19 has obviously brought a lot of things to a halt, so my release plan has been jolted. The EP I planned to release this summer will be released later on in the year, which I’m really excited about.
The lockdown has affected everyone’s plans right now, but what are you doing to stay productive throughout it and are you still able to work on new music?
Insomnia has been a big knock to the routine I’m trying to cling onto, rendering me virtually useless. Anyone who can keep on top of their mental health and structure is doing it right in my opinion.
And finally, if you weren’t a musician, what advice would you give other artists trying to stay productive during this crisis?
Force inspiration. In a time like this, most outlets that we draw inspiration from in every day life have been stripped from us. I’ve found this has meant I’m in need of more stimuli to stay creative and have ideas to keep said creativity flowing. PUSH YOURSELF!
Posh Chocolates’ new single Dose is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it below.