Credit Blacksocks
2024’s Truck line-up looks to be one of its best yet, balancing big names with emerging artists and beloved regulars. As an event, it has come to mark start of the summer holidays for its devoted attendees, but how about the acts? We caught up with Oli Khan, drummer in indie-rock band Sea Girls to get the bands-eye view.
How many times have you played Truck?
This must be the fourth time, it’s always the one we look forward to the most. Andrew our bass player, describes it as our Glastonbury.
That is so nice.
Yeah, the last time we did it I stayed on because my family were there. Its always fun, I recommend it to people if they dont know what festival to go to.
Credit Izzy Challoner
What makes it different?
The crowd are just always up for it. We played third from headline last time and I think we've got the same slot this time and it always pops off. Theres’ always great bands to go see as well, which is always nice. It feels like that’s less like work if you’re going to go and see loads of other cool bands, too. Last time it was Bombay Bicycle Club, which was awesome.
I also love that the stage is next to a tree, and you see all the confetti fire out and land in the tree, and then the men take the confetti out, and then the next act shoots it into the tree; I always enjoy that, too.
It’s so good to hear that you’re there as a punter, as well.
Yeah always, we always look at the line-up to see who's playing, what we haven't caught before, or like something new and interesting. That’s the perfect time to see loads of other bands, and we love wandering round and just soaking it up.
This is our foodies issue. What food do you go for at the festivals.
A burger or a burrito, something in a bun so it’s easy holding – not like rice or something that’s going to fall everywhere. Not chips because then everyone’s going to pinch a chip: you’re not going ask for a bite of a burrito.
What can people expect from your set? I know you've got new music coming out this year...
I feel like especially at somewhere like Truck it’s going to be the greatest hits. You know? We put the new ones in, but it’s always just a nice career-spanning set. Bangers, that’s what people can expect; new bangers, old bangers…
All bangers. I think you’re also doing a little acoustic set at the Bullingdon in Oxford. Is that right?
It’s going to be our first time at the Bullingdon, actually, because we always play the O2 Academy, so that’s quite exciting. We've never done an acoustic tour before so it’s going to be a unique experience, which I think is fun. And we love it in Oxford; it’s always quite a young crowd which is really cool. I’ve only ever really been to Cowley Road, but I love it there.
So, you’re the drummer and I feel drummers are always the mavericks in the band. On a scale of Charlie Watts to Animal from the Muppets, where are you?
I mean sometimes my hair is very Animal. I’d say maybe my style is exactly the mid-point of both of those. I know when to tap it and when to smack it basically.
Which drummers inspire you?
I don’t play anything like him, but the drummer from The Smashing Pumpkins is one of my favourite drummers. His technical ability is insane. Someone like George Daniel, from the 1975 – he's such a good producer, as well. I play quite a lot of keyboards and bits and bobs on the album and so that’s really inspiring; someone who can bring more to the party, I guess.
As a band, Sea Girls do quite a bit of charity work you do and also champion environmental awareness. What drives that?
We're in a position where we have a tiny bit of influence, so doing things like the Grass Roots football charity is this opportunity to give back as well. That’s always going to be a part of what we do. And, Midnight Butterflies – the album that’s coming out – all the vinyl is eco-vinyl, because there is so much plastic in the world, you might as well try to at least use recycled stuff.
Is there anything we haven’t covered?
No, just buy our album! Go to Truck Records in Cowley Road and buy it from there. Get yourself a record and support a local vinyl shop.
Midnight Butterflies by Sea Girls is out now seagirls.net
Truck Festival takes place 26-28 July, Hill Farm Oxfordshire. Joining Sea Girls are headliners including Wet Leg, Jamie T, The Streets, Carsick and Sophie Ellis Bextor, Get tickets now before they sell out truckfestival.com
