Finding Your Way With VLAD & KATIE From SLUNG

Interview by Kris Peters
English rock outfit Slung’s upcoming debut album is a collaborative
combustion of its members’ experiences, circumstances and supreme
musicianship. Their sonic universe - comprising the power of
guitarist Ali Johnson’s incendiary riffs, vocalist Katie Oldham’s
enviable dynamic and tonal range, bassist Vlad Matveikov’s
undulating, yet grounding bass lines and drummer Ravi Martin’s
expert rhythmic punctuation - is a veritable musical
supernova.
With influences covering most spectrums of the musical world - from
Deftones and Baroness to Wednesday and MJ Lenderman to Queens of
the Stone Age and even a sprinkling of Chappell Roan and Fleetwood
Mac - Slung refuse to pigeon hole their music and as such have
created a sound that is fresh, vibrant, and unmistakably their
own.
With a debut duo of singles at the tail end of 2024, Slung’s sounds
piqued interest among discerning ears across the industry and
internet. But true to form, the band elected to hit the road in
order to gain experience and connect with the people before
releasing even one song. It was a brave but ultimately rewarding
take on old school ethos that has seen Slung build a sizeable fan
base that will only increase after the release of their first album
In Ways on May 2.
HEAVY spoke with Vlad and Katie to find out more.
"We're really stoked that these songs we've been cooking up for
ages are sneaking out," Vlad enthused. "And it's amazing that
people from all over the world are enjoying them. It kind of makes
this otherwise horrendously expensive and absolutely ludicrous
hobby that is making music - because you can't make a living out of
it - a bit more justifiable (laughs)."
We ask how they are feeling with the release date getting closer
every day.
"I think it's kind of a mystery what's going to happen in May,"
Katie answered honestly, "because the way that we've formed this
band, or the way this band has become what it is now, it feels so
backwards a lot of the time. It feels like we recorded an album
before we ever played live once and before or I ever sung these
songs in front of a single other person, we recorded them. So when
we hear them back now, after having gigged quite a lot the last
year, they sound so different to how we're used to playing
them.
But it's almost like a relic that you discover in the attic, and
you're like, 'wow, what's this?' It's like a hidden gem. So there
is this sense of nervousness, but mostly just excitement, because
as I say, we're just so thrilled to have the chance to make this
thing and release it. That alone is good enough for us. But what
would be really nice is if there was a bunch of people who received
it so warmly. Yeah, so nervous, but really excited."
In the full interview, the discussion centred on Slung's debut
album In Ways. Vlad and Katie shared insights into their
unconventional journey of recording the album before performing
live, which has generated intrigue among listeners. Both artists
expressed a mix of excitement and nervousness about the album's
reception, highlighting the positive global traction their singles
have received. They emphasized their gratitude for the opportunity
to share their music, despite the challenges faced in the music
industry.
Katie elaborated on the distinct sounds of their singles, such as
Laughter, Collider, and Thinking About It, which showcase different
facets of the band's identity. She noted that while some tracks
maintain a sonic theme, others, particularly those influenced by
country music, may surprise listeners. Vlad described the album as
a journey with varied styles, referring to it as "bipolar" in its
musical diversity. Both artists expressed confidence in the
audience's ability to appreciate the album's cohesion, despite its
eclectic influences and serious themes, which range from
bullfighting to the sex worker industry.
The creative process behind the album was also discussed, with
Katie sharing her unique approach of reinterpreting lyrics from
other songwriters to craft her narratives. She highlighted the
emotional depth of the song Nothing Left, written during a
challenging time in her life. Vlad recounted his initial meeting
with guitarist Ali in Australia, which laid the foundation for
their band and more.


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