Mordant lyrics, indie-pop effervescence and shades of Blondie meets Best Coast characterise London up-and-comers Anteros. Their latest release, “Breakfast” – accompanied by a suitably gastronomic video – implores a self-indulgent lover to save his problems for the morning.
Originated by Laura Hayden and Joshua Rumble, Anteros’ sparkling sound developed when the pair were joined by drummer Harry Balazs and Charles Monneraud on guitar. The band were previously signed to Regal, with whom they released single “Anteros” and B-side “Fade To Grey”; “Breakfast” marks their first single on Kissability. It’s inspired, Hayden says, by an exhausting relationship with “someone who only wanted to stay up and talk about their problems all the time’” indeed, the frustration’s palpable in caustic lyrics like, “Your words are ringing like bells I’m tired of hearing”.
The video, meanwhile, is a riot of vibrant colour and reckless food waste. In one shot, a pink-wigged Hayden channels Natalie Portman in Closer as she apathetically stirs batter on a kitchen counter; in another, she lounges in a pastel-hued bath of strawberry milk and Cheerios. A recurring motif throughout the video, meanwhile, is a Barbie doll in foodstuff-related peril, whether jammed headfirst into a croissant or smothered in whipped cream.
Fresh off a UK tour with High Tyde, Anteros are about to embark on their first festival season, with stops including Live at Leeds and The Great Escape. As high profile fans including Annie Mac add to the swelling hype, it’s about time you got to know the band – and their favourite breakfasts – in our interview below.
How did you guys end up making music together?
Laura: Josh was the first person I wrote with, about 4 years ago. I was living in Spain at the time, and when I moved to London 3 years ago, the sound eventually evolved into a band. Charles (guitar) and Harry (drums) joined later down the line.
Your name is a reference to a Greek god, right? Tell us about that.
We were writing our song ‘Anteros’. It was about living in London, and I wanted to come up with a way of describing the heart of the city. I did some research on the statue in the middle of Piccadilly Circus – which people mistakenly confuse for Eros – and found out it was actually Anteros. The song was a defining moment for our sound, so we rolled with the name.
The new video for ‘Breakfast’ is a good mix of fun and weird – how did that come about?
I sent an inspiration image of this girl laying on the kitchen floor (she was covered in eggs), and it all kind of spiralled from there. We were so lucky to find an awesome team, and directors James & James who shared the same vision. Everything just clicked, and it was so much fun to bring the characters & set to life (especially the shot in strawberry milk and Cheerios).
Biggest influences?
We have so many influences. I’d say The Cardigans, The Cure and Blur would probably be at the top of the list.
Favourite breakfast and why?
Josh: Weetabix, because it’s straight to the point.
Laura: Eggs forever! They remind me of the weekend.