Wonderland talks to the newest B-Town boys on the scene, JAWS.

We’re big fans of the B-Town (Birmingham, to the uninitiated) scene – from Peace to Swim Deep, it’s been called the new Madchester. So hands in the air for JAWS, who’ve truly blissed us out with their deliciously dreamy youth fuelled sound. We spoke to frontman Connor Schofield about ‘opposites days’, silly string mayhem and the band’s penchant for 90s dance anthems.

How did JAWS come into existence?

JAWS started in February 2012 when I put a demo song online called ‘Cameron’. It got quite a few hits so I thought I better get myself a band together

You hail from Birmingham but create the most shimmering summer infused music, what inspires your sound?

I’m not really sure, I don’t really think about stuff too much when I’m writing music; maybe not thinking is my inspiration.

You’ve been compared to both Beach Fossils and a sun drenched version of The Cure, how do you feel about such comparisons?

The Cure are one my favourite bands ever so it’s quite nice that people say that sort of thing about us

How do you keep that summer sound in the middle of a Midlands winter?

I basically look outside and imagine that it’s “opposite day”.

What’s songs do you listen to get you in that mood?

We listen to a lot of dance music, we really like Daft Punk. The only CD we have in the van is 90s Dance Anthems.

What’s a typical day in the life of JAWS?

Nothing really that great to be honest, Me and Alex go to university while Ed and Jake go to college, we meet up a couple of times a week for a practice, pizza and Pepsi.

You’re one of a number of bands such as Swim Deep and Peace to come out of Birmingham to great acclaim, what’s the music scene like where you’re from?

I feel like right now there is actually a “scene”. With the spotlight on the city people are actually starting bands and promoters are booking more shows, it’s really cool.

You’ve played four sold out shows already this year, what’s the best thing about playing live?

Those shows were insane which we didn’t even expect… So I guess that’s the best thing about playing live – when it goes off but you didn’t expect it.

Your new single ‘Friend Like You’ makes us want to grab our best friends and lie in the park in the light. What’s the best thing about being in a band together?

The LOLs!

What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?

For me it has to be the last Birmingham show we did in February with Swim Deep or the one in Southampton, both nights absolutely mental!

You’re the frontman in JAWS, are you the most rock n roll of the band? What’s the most rock n roll thing you guys have done?

I’m probably the least

rock’n’roll, haha. The most rock’n’roll thing we’ve probably done is cover a room in silly string backstage once…

If you had to jack it all in tomorrow, what would you do?

Probably continue manager mode on FIFA.

JAWS play Birthdays on 28th March with DJ sets from Swim Deep and Wolf Alice. Their new single ‘Friend Like You’ is released 1st April. www.jawsjawsjaws.co.uk

Words: Laura Isabella