Today is the day that many of us have been waiting for, Bestival 2016 officially opens. I’ve been fortunate enough to catch up with Clean Cut Kid. The four piece from Liverpool are one of the newest acts on the bill and look destined to go onto big things in the future.

Can you tell us about the beginnings of Clean Cut Kid?
Mike Halls formed Clean Cut Kid after playing for lots of other people’s bands and projects. He met Evelyn and they clicked on all levels! After a few months of playing together as a duo they recruited Saul Goodman and Ross Higginson to which the line up was complete.

For those of you who might be new to Clean Cut Kid which tracks from your back catalogue would you encourage them to check out first?
Our new single “We Used To Be In Love” and our first single “Vitamin C” show the range of sounds best probably. If you wanna see the more self indulgent, proggy side to us check out “Hospital Lights” off our new EP.

How is the debut album coming along and what can we expect?
The debut album is just loose ends getting tied up now and has been quite an exhaustive process, but in a good way! It’s been a labour of love and no matter how it goes down, we’re super proud of it. If we tried to sum it up briefly: you could say it’s sad songs made happy and vice versa. You can expect big sounds, huge layered up vocal harmonies, pop hooks over pretty left field arrangements and a hell of a lot of guitars.

If I were to turn on your iPod right now, what five artists/songs would I see on your recently played list and what is it about those artists that appeal to you?
Margaret Glaspy – We found her playing a tiny shack outside a bar in SXSW and fell in love. The whole band have been hooked ever since and we haven’t stopped listening to her album “Emotions and Math” since it came out. Best live voice we’ve ever heard, hands down.

David Bowie – We’ve always been Bowie fans but since his death everyone has gone back and become hooked again. Listening to “Blackstar” has become a ghostly experience we can’t quite explain…it’s so good. Stands alongside any of his other work. 

Frightened Rabbit – Scottish voices always seem to have an ability to belt it out with loads of feeling and these are a great example of this. Listen to “I Wish I Was Sober” and read the lyrics…jeeeeeeeez…Mike recently recommended it to Ross but he was already listening to it!

Bon Iver – Always a staple for us. Don’t think we’ve ever not liked anything he’s put out. Been rinsing his new stuff recently, the arrangements and production are insane. 

Mystery Jets – That new record…why’s it not getting more love?! Unbelievable writing on it…

Following your performances at Latitude, Secret Garden Party what have you enjoyed the most about performing at festivals this summer?
Festivals have all the vibes! Just turning up it immediately feels like the coolest party where our names are on the guestlist, plus we get to do what we love on such a big setting that reaches so many people all together. It’s the perfect way to spend the summer. The catering’s been pretty sweet too.

What are you looking forward to most about playing at Bestival and will get a chance to stick around and enjoy the festival?
Bestival is one of the craziest festivals for surroundings and people but we can’t stick around because we are going straight to Madrid to play DCode Festival! Sorry!

With Bestival next weekend what can those fortunate enough to be there expect from your show?
Anyone who has made the mission to get there will be slapped in the face with bass, kicked up the bum by the drums and tickled and teased by the harmonies. See you down the front!

You can find Clean Cut Kid performing on the Invaders of the Future Stage within the Magic Meadow area. If you are not able to make Bestival then you can catch the band performing at The Prince Albert in Brighton on Tuesday 25th October.

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