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Who: Switches
Album: 'Lay Down the Law'
Hails From: Guildford, England
For Fans Of: Weezer and Blur
Why They're About to Pop: Matt Bishop was born with a passion for music, fiddling with recording techniques and instruments while barely breaking double digits in age. Though he enlisted his band members while in college, Bishop's unpredictable behavior -- what he's heralded for now -- delayed the progress of the band until they found their footing in 2006. It was that year that they released their first EP, 'Message from Yuz,' in the UK. Eventually, the Switches signed with Interscope in the U.S., and released their debut full-length, 'Lay Down the Law.' The Switches are on the full Nylon Magazine Music Tour beginning in Anaheim, Calif. on May 8.
Three Questions with singer/guitarist Matt Bishop:
What inspired the songs on your record?
The songs were inspired by lots of things -- trashy local clubs, dates I went on, terror in London, mobile phones, love, TV shows, etc. They were all tied together with the desire to leave my mundane life in Southend behind. In order to do this, I needed to connect with everyday people like myself. That's what these songs set out to do.
If you could have any musician's career other than your own, whose would it be?
I'd have to say [Blur's] Damon Albarn. In my view, he's the leading force behind the greatest British band since the Beatles), creates the most original and successful pop group of this decade (Gorillaz) and even finds time for amazing solo/collaborative albums. What's even better is that he doesn't need tons of gossip column inches to sell records, unlike most other British musicians/singers. He's a true musical genius.
What did you think life as a musician would be like when you first started out and how does it compare to what it's really like for you now?
When I first started, I thought it would be easy, glorious, fun-filled and infinitely satisfying. The truth is, it's a lot different. Its tiring, emotionally crippling, substance abuse reliant and also puts strains on relationships in and out of the band. But it's still infinitely satisfying, and my one true love.
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