When Vybe Productions announced last July that they’re bringing in current indie darlings Chvrches to perform a one-night-only gig in Manila, all hipsteria broke loose and let a collective, yeah, das cool.
The Scottish electronic synthpop band is composed of Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook, and Martin Doherty. All first-timers in our city, Chvrches will be playing the Samsung Hall on Nov 26, 2014. Coconuts Manila speaks to Iain Cook ahead of the event.
Is it safe to assume questions about your name are the questions you’re most sick of answering?
Yup! We have been asked that A LOT. We took ages to come up with a name that we were all happy with and it seemed like a good one at the time. Spelling wise, we were called “Churches” at first but our designer Amy Burrows had already drawn up a logo with the Roman U, which looks like a V, so we just changed the band name to include the V. Helps with search engine optimization, too.
What’s the weirdest pronunciation of your name that you’ve heard?
The Norwegians seem to have a strange take on it. Quite often, they think it’s pronounced “Churhr-vez” or something. Weird.
After the name, what’s the second question you’re most sick of answering?
For Lauren, it’s “what’s it like being the girl in the band.” What’s that all about?
What’s your favorite song to play live?
I change my opinion on this all the time. At the moment, it’s probably our new song, “Get Away” because it’s fresh and it has a really dance-y feel about it. I’m really proud of that one.
Do you have a song you’d rather not play live?
Not really. If an audience is really getting into a song live, it makes it enjoyable for us. That can change from one gig to another and some audiences seem to respond different to each song.
This is your first time in Manila. What have you been told about our live music scene?
I don’t know much about the live music scene in Manila, although from my musician friends who go there, it sounds like the Manila audiences are pretty crazy. Both excited and terrified by this. Can’t wait to see it first hand.
What are you looking forward to doing here?
Food is something I am definitely excited about. I need to try some pork adobo. I had some recently, in Sydney but I feel like it wasn’t the real deal. You can keep the traffic. I’m always up for some karaoke!
When visiting a new city, what’s the first thing you try and do?
We tend not to have a great deal of time when visiting new places on tour. Usually our schedule is pretty full. That said, I tend to seek out good coffee and food. Touring is always a good way to scout for future holidays, I feel.
Finally, rate in order of importance: sex, drugs, or rock n’ roll?
They all have their place, I guess! Rock n’ roll always comes first, though.
Chvrches is playing Manila Nov 26, 2014, 8pm. Samsung Hall, SM Aura, Taguig. TIcketworld. Tickets start at PHP4,087.28
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