It’s just a few days until The New Colossus Festival takes over eight independent music venues on the Lower East Side of New York with over 150 bands from around the world and the Ditto X: NYC24 Music Conference, and we are extremely excited to be hosting our own stage of UK artists at Heaven Can Wait on Thursday 7th March. We’ve a fantastic line up featuring some of our favourite British acts, with headliners Shelf Lives joined by Scrounge, Langkamer, Hadda Be and Idle Hours.
So far we’ve introduced you to Scrounge and Hadda Be, and next it’s the turn of our headliners, high energy dance punks Shelf Lives, who high kicked themselves into our affections back in 2021 with their near eponymous single ‘Shelf Life’. They’ve since followed up with a brilliant debut album, and last year caught up with us to talk about the songs that have influenced them throughout their lives.
We caught up with the duo as they prepare to cross the Atlantic.
Who’s in the band and what do they do?
Jonny on Guitar, occasional vocals and other buttons and Sabrina on vocals, synth and general audience wind up.
Give us a bit of backstory:
Nah, sounds like a lot of work to be honest 
It’s much more fun just going with the first thing that comes to your own mind. Chances are we’d just be lying anyway.
What’s the best description of your music you’ve ever read/heard?
Umm, coming to mind at the moment… once we were described as “trash pop” and we thought that was cute. Oh also Jack Saunders on Radio 1 describing our song ‘Bite’ as “Riffs that shatter your aunties overdone Sunday roast potatoes in half; punk but it’s through a thousand volts of electricity…”. Really loved the creativity in that one.
What can people who’ve not seen you before expect from your set?
Lots of sweat
Is this your first time playing in New York? How are you feeling about playing there?
It sure is. We are all hot and bothered about it. Also, excited for bagels and pizza.
Who are some of your favourite NYC bands?
Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, Sleigh Bells, The Strokes…etc. There’s probably more but can’t remember at the moment.
Anyone you’re particularly looking forward to seeing from the New Colossus line up?
Mary Shelley – we missed their set in Wales last year because of our own show so hoping to catch them this time around. They look like a riot.
Sabrina – Would also like to check out some of the Canadian bands in general. Since moving to the UK I feel so out of the loop.
What else are you doing while you’re over in the States? Other shows? Sightseeing plans?
As we mentioned earlier many Prince St. pizza slices and as many everything bagels as poss. Oh, and we’re also heading to Austin to play at SXSW the week after
Whoo hoo!
Find everything you need on Shelf Lives on their official website
Full festival details and tickets on The New Colossus website
Interview by Paul Maps
Photography by Derek Bremner: @del_photos
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