Temples of Youth continue to impress with their growing collection of evocative electro based tracks and captivating live sets. We caught up with the Hampshire duo to talk about new music, past highlights and last minute substitutions…

Where did it all begin – how did you two meet and decide to form a band?

Jo: I saw an ad online for a female singer and took a chance – pretty sure I was the only one who responded so Paul was stuck with me really…

Band career highlight so far?

Jo: I really enjoyed our EP launch last year at Elephant Records in Winchester. People travelled from Bournemouth and Brighton and it was just so lovely and rewarding to see and meet so many people we didn’t know were listening.

Paul: Releasing our first EP was very rewarding. That felt like a significant milestone and an achievement.

Which other artists are you listening to at the moment?

Jo: We went to see Soccer Mommy a few weeks ago at Scala – been listening to her a lot since! I’m also listening to a lot of Daughter, Lana Del Ray and The War on Drugs.

Paul: The new Wild Nothing album Indigo and I’m rediscovering The Three EPs by The Beta Band.

What’s been your best/worst experience playing live?

Jo: Best experience I think was Smoked and Uncut Festival in the New Forest – it was our first big show outside and it was really sunny. I also liked meeting Pale Waves and playing with them at The Boileroom in Guildford – it was just before they took off and I really enjoyed their set. Worst experience was when the feedback was so bad and lasted for ages and the sound guy told me it was my fault…I won’t mention where that was!

Paul: Smoked and Uncut was also one of my favourites and our recent set at Dials Festival in Southsea was fun. I think sometimes festival performances can be a little stressful when you have limited time to set up and soundcheck but you learn from it all.

What’s coming up for Temples of Youth in the next few months?

Jo: We have our second EP Darker Places coming out soon and some shows with Port Erin and Alyss.

Last up, if you couldn’t make a show who would each of you choose to fill in for you for one night only?

Jo: Do you know what – my sister. She’s a better drummer and singer than I am. I’m glad she didn’t see Paul’s ad before I did.

Paul: Jo’s Mum’s dog, Bailey. I’m not sure if he’s that competent on guitar but he would win the crowd over.

Check out tracks from Darker Places and the latest news from Temples of Youth and catch them live on 25th October at The Railway, Winchester and 1st December at Notting Hill Arts Club, London

Interview and photos from Dials Festival by Siobhan

22nd October 2018