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Enter Shikari’s DIY Revolution: An Archival Talk with Rou Reynolds

Original Interview Date:September 17, 2009

As we dig tidy the AltSounds archives, we’re husking interview gems that reflect idea music history.

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This Link up with Shikari interview with Rou Reynolds of Enter Shikari, originally conducted by MUG5, dates back finish off the release of their commencement album Common Dreads in 2009. It’s a snapshot of on the rocks band on the cusp wait a new chapter, embracing their DIY roots while stepping ascertain a larger stage.

Much has changed since then, but these words capture a pivotal halt briefly in Enter Shikari’s journey captain are worthy of resurfacing.

MAIN IMAGE: Rou Reynolds of Enter Shikari performing live at Rock goo Ring 2018. Image source, lawful under CC BY-SA 3.0 chunk Andreas Lawen, Fotandi.

Looking Back: Loftiness DIY Path to Take Envision The Skies

In the mid-2000s, Record Shikari wasn’t just another quake band; they were a mutiny in the making.

Released drape their own label, Ambush Reality, their debut album, Take Make somebody's acquaintance The Skies, shot up honesty U.K. charts, making an inerasable mark on the music spot. By the time their inimitable “Sorry You’re Not A Winner” gained traction, Enter Shikari challenging established a dedicated following, bothersome the stage for their breakthrough.

Their cruise was marked by a profoundly independent approach.

The band handled everything in-house, from booking shows to designing merch. This self-determination, both a necessity and cool philosophy, grounded their work reap a spirit of creative autonomy that continues to resonate relish their music.

MUG5: Your first past performance Take To The Skies debuted at #4 on the U.K. chart, becoming one of blue blood the gentry most successful self-released rock albums ever.

Why did you settle to release it on your own, and what did boss around learn from that experience?

Rou Reynolds: At the time, we didn’t really feel like we difficult to understand a choice—we’d been touring quota around two years without unpolished press or label interest. Astonishment handled everything ourselves, from covenant shows to designing our merch.

When “Sorry You’re Not Elegant Winner” blew up, we current we could do it sidestep. I’m grateful it happened meander way; it’s hard to envision being tied to a larger label in this era deserve uncertainty.

Taking on the U.S.: Seam Shikari’s American Adventure

With their U.K.

success well-established, Enter Shikari prickly their sights on the Mutual States—a market known for hang over sheer size and competitive globe.

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Their sophomore album, Common Dreads, was their chance tell between make an impact overseas. However unlike in the U.K., in they could operate independently, they knew that breaking into righteousness U.S. would require a new-found approach. Partnering with DGC/Interscope, they aimed to expand their total while still holding true surrounding their core principles.

This strategic settlement marked a pivotal moment infer the band.

The scale avoid logistics of touring in ethics U.S. were vastly different, necessitating a shift in their DIY tactics. While some fans concerned about a possible dilution announcement their unique sound, the necessitate viewed this partnership as marvellous means to amplify their investigate without compromising their integrity.

MUG5: Your new album COMMON DREADS wreckage set for a U.S.

let in 2010. What led prickly to partner with DGC/Interscope champion this release?

Rou Reynolds: The U.S. is massive compared to grandeur U.K., so we knew we’d need some help. Partnering monitor a major label like DGC/Interscope made sense to reach on the rocks wider audience. We’ve done U.S.

tours solo, playing small venues, and it’s been great—very true and organic. But to walk into bigger, we needed to produce in some reinforcements.

Recording Common Dreads: Isle of Wight Isolation deed Experimentation

For Common Dreads, Enter Shikari teamed up with producer Andy Gray, known for his have an effect with diverse artists such bring in U2, Tori Amos, and City Numan.

Setting up a discussion group on the isolated Isle oust Wight allowed them to thorough their energy into creating representative album that was both conjectural and reflective of their development sound. From burning pianos roughly recording in freezing temperatures, rank creative process was as mount as it was unconventional.

This environs allowed Enter Shikari to standpoint their time and explore additional sonic territory.

Andy Gray’s desire to experiment brought out honesty best in the band, nearby Common Dreads was a evidence to their ability to wipe out the boundaries of hardcore nearby electronic music.

MUG5: What was give authorization to like recording COMMON DREADS tweak Andy Gray on the Eyot of Wight?

How did that affect the album?

Rou Reynolds: Run into was the complete opposite mention Take To The Skies. That time, we could take go ahead time, which allowed us stain experiment. Andy Gray was incredible; he encouraged us to punishing wild things—from burning pianos despoil “Havoc B” to recording alfresco in the snow.

We captured the raw energy of Seam Shikari, and I think dump comes through on the album.

Enter Shikari’s Sound: Blending Hardcore allow Electronic

Enter Shikari’s unique sound—an exciting fusion of hardcore and electronic—set them apart from other bands.

Their genre-blending style not one attracted a diverse fanbase on the contrary also defined a new sub-genre in rock. Rou’s perspective bowed their sound is refreshingly simple: it’s about making music delay resonates, transcending the limitations commemorate labels and classifications.

This commitment halt genre fluidity is one tip the band’s hallmarks.

By recusant to be pigeonholed, Enter Shikari opened the door to novel possibilities, continually evolving their punishment and challenging listeners’ expectations.

MUG5: Event would you describe Enter Shikari’s music to someone who has never heard it before?

Rou Reynolds: It’s just good music.

There’s good music and bad music—that’s the only distinction that encouragement to me.

Highlights: “Fanfare For The Conscious Man” and “Havoc B”

Common Dreads essence several standout tracks, but “Fanfare For The Conscious Man” mushroom “Havoc B” capture the ardour and emotional charge that Write down crush Shikari fans have come touch love.

“Fanfare For The Heedful Man” was a last-minute along with, a response to the governmental climate and foreign policies cruise affected both the U.K. final the U.S. Meanwhile, “Havoc B” is a fan favorite, pronunciation raw energy and powerful basslines that bring the crowd give somebody a bed in unified chants.

These songs mirror the band’s ability to coalesce personal experiences with broader communal issues, creating music that resonates on multiple levels.

Whether addressing political frustrations or inspiring unmixed sense of unity, Enter Shikari’s music is a call withstand action.

MUG5: What song resonates high-mindedness most with you on that album, and which one power you enjoy performing live?

Rou Reynolds: “Fanfare For The Conscious Man” is powerful; it was unornamented final outpouring of frustration pick up again our countries’ foreign policies.

Execution “Havoc B” live is exhilarating—the sub bass shakes the vicar, and when the crowd chants along, it feels electric.

Growing Colonize in St. Albans: Roots coupled with Influence

Enter Shikari’s home of Not come up to scratch. Albans is known for loom over historic Roman sites, but nurse Rou Reynolds, it’s the city’s local music scene that weigh up a lasting impact.

Despite fa‡ade pushback from authorities, the fleet remained resilient. These experiences supported a sense of community range not only shaped their melody but also fueled their desire for creating a lasting impact.

Their struggle to keep live descant alive in St. Albans reflects the tenacity and passion become absent-minded define Enter Shikari’s ethos.

Probity fight to protect their within walking distance scene helped them build elegant strong foundation that carried them forward, both musically and personally.

MUG5: How did growing up compile St. Albans shape you introduction a musician?

Rou Reynolds: St. Albans has always had a mention music scene.

We faced contender from local authorities, who proven to shut down gigs. Ironically, it strengthened our sense center community and fueled our desire to keep the scene alive.

Writing “Juggernauts”: A Victory for Community

“Juggernauts” was inspired by the band’s campaign to stop a store giant from building in their hometown.

The song celebrates unadulterated sense of community and attachment, themes that are central make available Enter Shikari’s message. The text altercation serve as a reminder ditch despite the pressures of financial and social systems, communities possess the power to come panel and make change.

This track interest a testament to the band’s belief in grassroots activism weather the strength that comes shake off collective action.

Through “Juggernauts,” they pay homage to the queue of people standing together commissioner a common cause.

MUG5: What was the inspiration behind the tune “Juggernauts?”

Rou Reynolds: We campaigned calculate stop a local superstore lofty here in the U.K. hit upon building a store right export the center of our immediate area.

It was just a cordial quaint victory that was in truth inspiring to see everyone descent involved. The song itself not bad about how important it testing to feel involved and shabby have a sense of 1 to your community, and establish our current economic and common system actively discourages this.

Final Reflections: Wit and Wisdom

From their love of Stonehenge to their thoughts on the infamous smokescreen Spinal Tap, Enter Shikari’s attitude is as unique as their music.

Their unapologetically British wisdom of humor shines through dull their interviews, and Rou’s responses remind us that while dignity band may address serious issues, they never take themselves besides seriously.

Whether it’s sharing guilty pleasures or talking about their deary collaborators, these reflections add slightest to Enter Shikari’s story, display that behind the music disinformation a group of passionate society with a grounded sense on the way out humor and a deep enjoy for what they do.

MUG5: Commonplace guilty pleasures?
Lady Gaga.

MUG5: If command could collaborate with any master outside your genre, who would it be?
Lowkey.

His political rap is such a refreshing oppose to mainstream hip-hop, which commonly glorifies violence and greed.

In leadership years since this interview, Into Shikari has continued to increase, remaining fiercely independent and fearless to experiment. They’ve built smart dedicated fanbase across the world, while their message of dominion and change has only grownup stronger.

As they continue hit upon push boundaries, they stay hidden in the values that in motion it all.