Molotov Jukebox are a band that we have followed for the past couple of years, we saw them a couple of years ago in Exeter (despite Natalia saying that she's never played there before!) and at Chagstock Festival last year. They released a brand new shiny album on April 15th and we were keen to catch up with them again ahead of their Exeter show, here's how we got on....

You smashed your Pledgemusic target for ‘Tropical Gypsy’, how did it make you feel that so many people have supported you in making it happen?

Humbled honoured and full of love. Pledge has enabled 2 albums now and we would not have been able to bring new music out without their support. 

Did you do anything special to mark the release of the new album?

Yes we had a rowdy album launch which also tied with our management This Is Now's third birthday. So a full night of musical delight happened, we played our new album and had the talents of Hobbit, Frankie Forman, Animal Noise and the sexy cherry on the top, The Church.

Who designed the artwork for the album cover?

An incredible graphic artist we found online Estera Lazowska who thankfully liked our sound and jumped on board.

Where was it recorded and who produced it? Why this studio and producer?

The album was recorded at Roll Over Studios on Beethoven Street in London, which sadly is now more. We were the last album to be recorded as Anthony Lim, our mixing and sound engineer, relocated elsewhere. It was produced by our very own talented and patient guitarist, Adam Burke.

You’ve got quite a busy April, playing 12 UK dates in a row, what do you like MOST about touring? And what do you dislike about it?

I love savouring a plethora of audiences wherever we go and getting to practice my craft, honing a show with nights of repetition. I hate loading in and out of a venue and that all the service stations in the UK are grim apart from one gem near Kendal with a delicious farm, the best pork pies in England and EVEN HAS A BUTCHERS AND CHEESE COUNTER!!!

You’re playing at The Cavern in Exeter on 21st April, have you seen the size of the stage there?

Nope never been there. This is our first time in Exeter so hopefully we will get a big sweaty reception! 

Record Store Day has just been and gone for another year, is this something that you’ve considered getting involved in?

I don't know anything about it but out Bass player, the ineffable Tom Wilson, is very very keen! 

You’ve taken your music all over the place, which country do you think the music is appreciated the most? Why do you think this is?

I think the Latin countries; Brazil and Mexico really got our sound and danced like their life depended on it. Our line-up of accordion, horns and violin is not so out of the ordinary for these cultures, which regularly use similar musical line ups.

What was the first record/CD that you ever bought?

Well I was raised on 50's and 60's Rock and Roll and Motown but when I was 10 I saved my pocket money and caved in to what my mates were hearing. I bought 'Now whatever the hell it was then', It was awful and brilliant. It had Cyndi Lauper on it with 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' and Peter Andre's 'Mysterious Girl' which I listened to, on repeat, singing very loudly.  My poor parents.

What is your DREAM meal? Starter, main and dessert?

Starter: duck or goose rillettes, smoked salmon and goats cheese salad with a bottle of bubbles. 

Main: pork belly with coleslaw and sweet potato fries with colon damaging hot sauce. And red wine; Malbec or good Ribera.

Desert 3 scoops of ice cream, salted caramel, apple sorbet, mint choc chip with a shot of amaretto in sweet black coffee.

Do you often learn any cover versions to play on tour or is it strictly 100% your own material?

It's always 100% our own material other than occasionally we pull out Get Ready, which we were commissioned to record by Peroni although it was sadly never used for their campaign. It's a great song and last tour The Church jumped to do the backing singing, which is probably the most fun I've had on stage. 

What has been the strangest thing that has happened to you whilst you’ve been on stage?

A huge Lego man coming on stage while we were playing in Italy. He was very high and an absolute lunatic. Sam 'balls to the wall' Apley, our handsome violinist decided he wanted to play the last few songs entirely naked. Also I got food poisoning at Secret Garden Party a few years ago and spend the whole time on stage trying to not shit myself violently in front of 300 humans and still play and sing adequately. We've also played an entire gig with a pink dog on stage.  

What was the first gig you ever went to?

I loved, and still do with all my musical heart, The Blues and I regularly went underage dancing to Ain't Nothing but The Blues bar in soho to see their live acts. I was barred for a few years but the bouncer has forgiven me so now I'm allowed back for good behaviour to dance the night away there, whisky in hand. 

Do you think that CD’s and Vinyl will be around in 10 years time?

Not sure about CD's, they seem a bit pointless now but I think and hope that Vinyl will always have a place. 

We chatted to you back in 2014 and when I asked you to describe your music in the form of a fictional character, you said “The entire cast of The Little Mermaid….on ice”, is this still the case?

Yes but they are all being played by Mexicans with Scottish accents. On fire. 

You announced that you’ll be playing at loads of festivals this year such as Secret Garden Party, Blissfields and Boomtown Fair, which ones are YOU most looking forward to?

Definitely Secret Garden. It's where this band was formed and we're so happy we finally  get to play the main stage. Also Respublic in the Ukraine because we are going to be playing IN A MASSIVE CASTLE. Yes yes yes.

Staying on the theme of UK festivals, please give us your top 3 tips to surviving one?

Wet wipes, ear plugs and bring a caravan. Also glitter. And smoked sausage.

We'd like to thank Natalia for taking time to answer our questions, we're still chuckling about her having food poisoning at Secret Garden Party festival a couple of years back, we shouldn't laugh but she painted such an eloquent picture!

Their new album is available NOW, to help out, I've added a link to it below from Amazon, just click and buy, couldn't be easier!

They are also on tour throughout April 2016 to promote the new record, why not pop along to one (or many) of the shows, they're an awesome live band and I guarantee that you'll be up dancing in no time at all!

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