Sound check @ Union Chapel, Islingtonvinspired wanted to catch up with the band after their Lake of Stars appearance. I spoke to the brothers in The Maccabees, Hugo and Felix White, about their first ever Malawian experience.
Felix: "The whole thing at the Lake of Stars was amazing, the experience was something which we kind of fell into really. We got asked to do it without knowing anything about it and before even thinking of looking into it to find stuff out, it’s something we just jumped at and learned about it along the way.
When you guys found out it was all about volunteering, what was your point of view?
Hugo: Well firstly I think, having met the volunteers out there, I thought it was incredible, what a beautiful thing it is to do and how much you get back out of it for volunteering for something like that because the things you see and the people you meet there really kind of change your attitude towards everything when you get home. I mean we all feel different having seen what it's like in Malawi and actually meeting the people there, definitely makes you adjust your mind to how lucky we are here but also how happy we can be with relatively little.
I caught some footage with the band being welcomed by the people of Malawi. How did you feel?
Felix: Amazing wasn't it? I don't know if 'humbling' is the right word. You never think those kind of things will happen to you, until you actually see those people and the warmth those villagers welcomed us... Well let’s put it this way, you won't get that kind of welcoming in Hull!!
The MaccabeesIn terms of performing out there, how did the people react as you were the only Western band to be playing at vinspired Lake of Stars this year?
Hugo: Well we thought it was going to be a disaster and we thought that we'd go to Malawi, get involved, and hopefully the gig won't be too bad and get away with it. BUT the crowd welcomed us with open arms, it was kind of a positive feel to it, even from the people of Malawi. It was a nice surprise that we were kind of accepted.
Felix: I think Indie Guitar Band is like you've been beamed in by a space ship, it definitely isn't the norm for the culture. I think it was nice the fact that we were the only band from the UK really, it was nice to meet the other bands. Having done plenty of festivals this year, it's always the same type of band [that we meet] – as soon as you go, you realise there's this whole other thing you never see and it was kind of refreshing to me watching bands we never heard of.
If you had the opportunity to go out there again next year, would you go again?
Felix: If you'd offer it to us right now, we'd bite your hand off.
Hugo: We've already put our name forward.
Felix: We've spoken to a few of our mates that are in bands, speaking to them about going out again and trying to make a little more of it. Some of the money went back to the [local] women to start their own businesses and the help infrastructure of the country, which is an incredible thing.
What did you think of the guys who volunteered out there?
Felix: We went to the villages with the volunteers and we were hanging out at the festival with the volunteers. They were working really hard and then you think 'what a cool thing to do' - I don't think it’s much of a chore being out there in Africa doing crazy things.
Our volunteer Dwiko with members of The Maccabees (Thanks to Pam for the photo)The Maccabees are now touring around Europe with The Editors before headlining the NME Awards Tour beginning in February 2010.
If you're 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Words and Photography by: Dwiko Arie Nugroho (www.dwikoarie.com)
