W: Rafe Llewellyn

'Dirty'. The first adjective Stereo Cupid use to describe themselves. It's paradoxical to how you'd imagine a musician would want to be seen. Alas, Stereo Cupid align themselves with far beyond what can be considered normal. They're in your face and unapologetic about it. It made sense then that they should follow up by describing their music as 'horrible rock and roll.'

Sitting with the band, I became instantly aware of the larger-than-life personalities in the room.  Ralph, who is the band's lead vocalist, leads the group's responses to my questions. He's friendly and well-spoken, but there's something erratic in his eyes. It's almost as if his enthusiasm is attempting to pry him open and burst onto the table we're huddled around. The medley of composure and keen vivacity is unnerving, but it seems that's what they want. Calculated yet mysteriously unpredictable. Ralph tells me that they’re all 'very opinionated' and that each member is ‘pretty uncompromising.' I press on about how this affects their creative process. Whilst it seems as though there can be explosive moments, the group's chemistry remains palpable as they maintain that 'We play as one rather than as individuals.' It's a quality that comes with good friendship that has allowed them to find the grooves of each other and gain a natural understanding that enables each member to shine in their own right.

Labelled the 'Future of Manchester' by football club Manchester United themselves after featuring them in an advertising campaign, Stereo Cupid are keen to live up to the potential they've been assigned. Having no 'Plan B' ensures having a powerful 'Plan A'. That or unrelenting persistence and determination. It's clear that Cupid have both as bassist Bruno asserts that 'if you have a Plan B you're waiting for Plan A to fail.' It's an all-or-nothing approach and one that fuels their notorious performances, which are filled with cataclysmic zeal.

With their backgrounds in Drama and fashion, I want to speak to the boys about these live acts, having seen the evidence of electric videos of gigs from 'On the Meadow festival' the weekend prior. I'm shown battle scars. Flying ninja kicks and pure shredding on the guitar have resulted in gnarly cuts and bruises across the face of Ralph and the fingers of guitarist Luca. It's evidence that these backgrounds have made them 'multidimensional', and not just musicians. Performing, fashion, music, it's all an integral part of their identity. I'm told that they see themselves as 4 'frontmen' allowing all this character and personality to gush from every pore on stage.

A band so brimming with confidence, it's hard to see where they may have encountered obstacles. Comparing with other people is no easy vice to avoid, and it's something the band had to nip in the bud early on. 'When you stop comparing yourself to others, you lose the jealousy.' It's part of our broader conversation on the methods of achieving knockout status as Cupid explain that 'There's no one way of achieving success, what works for one band might not work for you, we're all in the same game and nobody really has a clue.' The solution then? 'Work hard on honing your craft and be self-assured, know that you're doing a good job.' 

Yet even more important, we speak about the skill of 'adding value to a ticket' and just pure enjoyment. The energy on stage translates to the people in the room, 'so as long as we're having a good time' and the ‘feet in the door’ are enjoying alongside you, that's seemingly all that can be done.

Given we are interviewing in the upstairs room of a pub in Camden, it seems only appropriate to finish with a light-hearted thinker that can often render interesting results: Guest, Beer and a Band. You’re on a night out at the pub. You can have any beer on tap you like, have anyone join you as a guest, and have anyone performing in the background as you drink. The group are pretty unanimous on the guest. Ozzy Osbourne. Although maybe due to a touch of recency bias, given that the announcement of his death came literally as I walked into the pub. The drink of choice came to a close win for Duff beer, and it was ultimately decided that Michael Jackson 'In his dance era' was to be the entertainment for the evening.

Stereo Cupid is currently focused on making music and performing across London and beyond. You can expect at least 2 more singles before Christmas. Catch them smashing out shows across the UK or slamming pints in between, either way, you don't want to miss them. 

Stereo Cupid Videodrome