Described as a younger pop version of Kings of Leon, Lawson are on the verge of their big break. Nerve’s Nola Ojomu talks to the boys about why they don’t want to be called a ‘boyband’.
On March 17th, #AskLawsonAndy was the number one Twitter trend worldwide, so it’s safe to say that there’s a new band that all the girls are already very excited about. Touring with boy band of the moment, The Wanted, doesn’t hurt either.
The group formed three years ago when drummer Adam Pitts stumbled upon singer/ songwriter Andy Brown online. “I was like, do you fancy setting up a band or anything and he was up for it. We met up, had a couple of pear ciders in London and had a chat about music”.
Andy brought in bass player Ryan Fletcher whom he’d been friends with since moving to London. The band became complete with Ryan recruiting his childhood friend, guitarist and fellow northerner, Joel Peat.
But they are not a boy band. While some magazines have touted them as new competition for One Direction and The Wanted, the lads are very keen to point out that the difference in their style. “We’re definitely a new band. The Wanted are a boy band but we’re not really like them. Would you say The Script were a boy band?” says Joel.
The boys may have a boy band look and seem to appeal to the same fan base but they hope that once their music is released then they can begin to reach out to other audiences who may have given them a miss.
“People make pre-conceptions but when they see the gig, they’re like ‘Actually no they’re not the same’” says Andy.
The origin of the band’s name is just one of the signs that Lawson aren’t just another cheesy pop act. Four years ago, lead singer Andy found out he had a brain tumour. The doctor who performed that life saving operation was called David Lawson and for Andy, the tribute was the perfect choice. “We always try and do things in this band that mean something to us, as cliché as it sounds. But it’s just the best way.”
The first thing that’s obvious about the band is how much they get along. With the legendary fallouts we always get with musicians, they feel the fact that they are open with each other will probably help them stand the test of fame.
“The thing about us is complete honesty. If someone’s messing up then it’s like, we were good but you messed up in that one, so I think honesty is the only reason we haven’t gone wild at each other yet. We just tell each other what we’re thinking,” says Joel.
Adam adds that despite sounding cliché, they are very much like a family. “It’s more like being brothers because if you’re just four friends then you’re never gonna have proper arguments. But with family, if you have a proper argument then you still love each other and two hours later you’ll be fine.”
This relationship has been key whilst they’ve been recording their debut album. As they put the final touches on the first single, it’s clear they are ready to get their music out and put the past three years of work into action.
For the boys, it’s a mixture of emotions. “If it doesn’t sound right or if you get a mix back and it needs changing then everyone panics a little bit. Luckily, we haven’t had much difficulty so far,” says Ryan.
Until the album’s release, the boys have been hard at work touring with stars such as Avril Lavigne and Will Young. The experience has been invaluable for the guys as well as helping to build a steady fanbase.
“We’ve learnt professionalism more than anything. In a really boring way, on our first tour we were going out and drinking and staying up late. Then you realise we weren’t on top of our game. We really learnt to be professional and make sure you’re sleeping. I know it doesn’t sound rock and roll. When you’re doing big shows and in our case, still trying to prove ourselves. If we were just going out and getting pissed every night then we wouldn’t reflect well on stage.”
But the boys are happy to place the quality of their performance at the top of their list even after doing their first gig at the London O2. “We were in bed by eleven with a cup of hot cocoa and our teddy bears,” jokes Adam.
They are keen to make their name first and then reap in the rewards after success. “Hopefully when we make it we can work hard and play hard but for now it’s all work”, says Andy.
The band has just finished supporting The Wanted on their tour and hope they can make the same progression as their good friends. “We’ve toured with them and seen them go from theatres to selling out the O2. We toured with them back when they did theatres and now they are selling out stadiums in the space of a year. It’s like, fair play.”
The Wanted are also breaking American audiences with their song ‘Glad You Came’, making it to number four in the Billboard charts. While Lawson always had high aims, witnessing friends live the dream has only made them want it even more.
“You always dream of doing something like that but when you actually see it happening, it’s like, this is actually reality. It’s not out of the question. You can do that”, says Joel.
Andy adds, “When we come in to do a gig, they’re like ‘Oh we’ve just been booked to do the Jay Leno show’ or something like that. It’s like ‘Bloody hell boys!’”
Despite some crazy pictures of screaming fans chasing down their favourite musicians, Lawson are sure they’ll be able to cope if it comes to it. As for how they are preparing for the female fans, Joel joked, “That’s why we wear running shoes. No girls are chasing us yet but we like to run around just in case.”
Nola Ojomu
Published: BU Nerve Magazine
