Artist Interview – Murderers Are Optimists

Hello, hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak (well, type I guess) with us. Let’s start this super simple, would you both mind introducing yourselves for our audience and what each of your roles are in Murderers are Optimists?

So, in my little bit of research I did on you guys I couldn’t find the origin of your band name, a name that has been described by the Hastings Independent as “disconcerting”, which is a fantastic review. So first things first, how did the title “Murderers are Optimists” come about? And what, if anything, does it mean to you guys?

Alright, so in this interview with the Hastings Independent back in 2021, just after the release of your single “Time (It’s Mine)” (2021), you mentioned that both Paul and Joe have been in other bands for a fair while. So I was wondering if you could chat a little about how you guys ended up coming together to start Murderers are Optimists back in 2020?

Regarding “Time (It’s Mine) ” (2021) this single in particular gave me big Oasis vibes. To me it was kind of a mix of a couple of tracks off ‘Be Here now’ because of that crescendo of a riff towards it’s end, and the subject matter was so reminiscent of “Bonehead’s Bank Holiday”. In the interview you mentioned the track was originally called “Paul Sunshine’s Big Day Out”, honestly, what a title, I love it. But I was wondering if you could chat a little about bands or artists that you find particularly influential?

Also, I noticed on one of you Instagram posts about the release of your 2022 single “Don’t Know Don’t Care” that you tagged a very solid list of people behind the release of the track. But you also mentioned celebrating this release with fellow Hastings band Kid Kapichi, as well as Liam Gallagher, and I’ve got to know, have you met the man himself? Because if you have, I’m unbelievably jealous!

Speaking of “Don’t Know, Don’t Care” I was watching the music video up on your Instagram and I was absolutely so taken by your outfits. Having grown up on Punk music and then been pulled into a Mod phase by a Brighton local, I can’t help but notice the references to both subcultures, with a bit of 90s Britpop thrown in. So, my question is, where do you take inspiration from in the way you guys dress? Have you always been this sharp or is it something that developed over time? Furthermore, where do you find these totally cool pieces of clothing?

Another thing that really stuck out for me was the single cover which has the numbers 1066 tattooed over a very sick skull, and I’m imagining this is a reference to the Battle of Hastings? In your other single covers too you’ve got a pretty solid motif of quintessentially British things, like pint glasses on “Time (It’s Mine), a Union Jack and a can on “Twisted Words”, a portrait of local Hastings legend ‘The Fids’ on the cover of “Paint No Illusion”, and while the latest single “Criminals” steps away from this theme slightly it still perfectly captures the energy of the track. Where do you find the inspiration for these covers? Who puts them together? And what, if any, influence has your hometown had on the creation of your music?

So that brings us to your latest release, the single “Criminals”, and by latest I mean fresh off the press like today! Released on the 12th of August 2022, it’s this huge track with lyrics that are aggressively relevant. The track also features Jack Wilson (@jackthomaswilson) from fellow Hastings based band Kid Kapichi, I was wondering if you could speak about how you guys got together to create this latest single? What inspired the collaboration?

Wilson also makes an appearance alongside you guys in the music video for “Criminals” which was directed by Mark Richards, who has worked with a solid back catalogue of artists! The video itself is brilliant as it literally show the build up and eventual performance of “Criminals” live in The Duke of Wellington pub last month, which gave the opportunity for your audience to be a part of your video! So I was wondering what did you guys want to achieve with this visual accompaniment to your new single and how did the concept come about?

At the bottom of this video you can find a layout of the lyrics, and the opening line to this track is a hard hitter man, “Corruption and abuse, why don’t you tell the truth”. All of your singles have this clean line of incredibly solid lyrics running through them, all very anti-monarchy, very anti-establishment, most punk. It may sound like a silly question as the lyrics are pretty clear, but would you mind chatting a little about what inspired these lyrics in particular? And as for your other singles, was it a similar process or did they all come to you differently?

As for the single itself, “Criminals” has certainly got a deeper, harsher, ring to it than your previous releases, with some seriously sick vocals of course. There is still that sense of Punk roots in the track, however there is also tinge of something altogether more rock n roll-ish. What was the inspiration behind this track, where did this one come from? Also, looking back, how do you feel you’ve changed and developed your sound since the release of your first single “Paint No Illusion” back in 2020?

You are playing a gig at Garageland in London on August 20th, back in Brighton a little later on the 25th, and to top it off you’re playing Del La Warr in Bexhill supporting Kid Kapichi on the 23rd of September! That’s your biggest gig yet right? How are you guys feeling about it?

Also from what I’ve read in the Louder than War review of your performance at Fat Tuesdays this year, you guys are one hell of a live performance. So, would you mind telling those who haven’t seen you guys yet what can they expect from a Murderers Are Optimists gig?

Right then, that’s pretty much it lads, all that’s left to ask is what can we expect from Murderers are Optimists in the future? Have you guys got any singles in the works, merch on the way, or other live shows that you’re particularly stoked about? Here is the opportunity to shamelessly plug it!

Finally... less of a question, more of an ask - we've found a personal introduction from bands/ artists we interview have a tremendous impact on social media. Would it be possible to email over (hello@iamur.one) a brief video along the lines of; "Hi, this is Kangaroo Court... check out our latest interview with IAMUR. Click the link for more!" (you'll see examples on our Instagram page - 'IAMUR' is pronounced 'I am, you are').

Please attach between 3 and 6 images that you'd like to be included in your feature.