W: George Gray I: Mars
Bug Eyed have emerged as one of the most intriguing new pop bands out there. From blasting demos off car battery-powered speakers to touring with Lola Young, they’re not slowing down for anyone.
The band pride themselves on “exploring emotions through storytelling”, allowing instincts to fuel their music. Music inspired by the feelings younger generations tussle with: “we’re just trying to feel things through making songs”. The result is infectious alt-pop that gets people bouncing.
At the heart of it all is storytelling, palpable in their “hard-hitting lyrics and intense sonics”, as Charlie puts it. Lyrics paint a dream-like image, where you can close your eyes and float off into the song’s story.
“Immersive, emotive and introspective,” fellow member Blue summarises. Their ethereal sound is “like a super real dream that sometimes you want to wake up from but most of the time you really don’t”.
A kaleidoscope of influences makes up their dream-like landscape. Charlie’s a big alt-pop fan but says it takes time to get into genres: “It takes me some time to realise why I like an artist or a band”. Blue adds that this patience and “broad spectrum” fuels their storyline. “We love the energy of punk, the storytelling of folk, the moodiness of grudge and find calm and excitement in jazz.”
At times it can be almost too much. “We can end up losing our minds in the studio,” Blue jokes. Charlie adds that deadlines and flying have been early challenges. Their sound may reflect modern pop artists like Frank Ocean or Kae Tempest, but their inspiration is rooted in human emotion. For Blue, it’s about “trying to make sense of thoughts, growing up, the complexities of love, life, poetry, people, fantasy and real life”. Charlie’s determined attitude drives their sound. “There’s no better feeling than making something you feel proud of and believe in, and I’d constantly chase that feeling.”
Bug Eyed’s creative process begins with a small idea, verse or chords, then builds with their producer through “vivid worlds”, “moodboards” and “endless notes”. Making music with friends “keeps things feeling natural”, says Blue. This “obsession and attention to detail” also drives their live sets. “I get really nervous but try to turn that into excitement,” says Charlie. Blue starts with alone time before the final 5 minutes together, ensuring they feel “connected”.
On stage, they slot into their roles. Charlie loves “weird tones and absurd sounding pedals” while Blue thrives “on the fringes, blending styles to create something raw that people hopefully connect with”. Challenges remain, like accidentally playing Metal nights or dodging street bins, but it’s all part of it. One tune set to light up future sets is recent single “A Rated Horror Movies”: a “haunting, nostalgic track” with an 80s vibe, from their debut EP “We Talk Thunderstorms Not Showers (Part 1)”.
As for the 10-year plan? “Hopefully we’d be headlining Glastonbury for the 3rd time,” Charlie laughs. Blue simply hopes for “endless creative adventure, still just hanging out making music with friends”. Future collaborations? Charlie wants to create “something very special” with Bakar or Lola Young. Blue adds Frank Ocean to the list, aiming to “make something thrashy with massively crazy highs and super intimate lows”.
For fans new and old, there’s plenty more to come. Bug Eyed’s journey is just beginning.
