Interview: Band of Skulls’ Emma Richardson on Bringing “Himalayan” to North America, and More!

Although North Americans have a oafish reputation of being a boring crowd, or difficult to get off their feet, Richardson explains that has not been the case for Band of Skulls. “Not at all. There’s a lot of whooping usually. A lot of people seemto be quite vocal. All the crowd sings along a lot. We have a similar reaction on the other side of the Atlantic, which is great. We’re quite lucky in that respect.”

Many British bands like Stereophonics or Biffy Clyro have struggled to replicate their mass success and home-brewed fan base overseas. But Richardson is optimistic and doesn’t feel Band of Skulls share that same destiny. “I’m never sure why certain music [struggles]… it always feels really fluke-y to me. But we’re lucky to have a really great response over here.”

“It’s just nice to know that people give a shit… and that they’re having a good time.”

One sign of the band’s growing popularity is how often their songs have appeared in pop culture and commercials, including major movies such as the Twilight Saga, television series like Friday Night Lights, CSI: NY, Top Gear and True Blood as well as video game franchises like Guitar Hero, Gran Tourismo, Need for Speed, NHL and Tony Hawk. Richardson comments, “It’s weird because we never really listen to that side of it… We only really hear it when mates call us up and say ‘Oh my God, we just heard you guys on this film or something.’ It’s kind of cool because it reaches another audience. I’d rather our stuff be on film soundtracks or in films.” Although she doesn’t watch much TV or play video games, Richardson tells us the band has always wanted to have a song in a Quentin Tarantino movie.

Band of Skulls are very active on social media, with a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and even Reddit, noting that “Especially nowadays it’s really important to have a presence and it’s a good connection, an instant connection, with the fans, especially when you’re on tour.” The band enjoys sharing fan pictures from their shows and seeing everything from the crowd perspective, as Richardson points to the near-instant source of feedback with which “You get to communicate with the fans afterwards or you get to kind of suss out what people are thinking about the new material.” But ultimately Richardson is reveling in the experience, concluding, “It’s just nice to know that people give a shit… and that they’re having a good time.”

Richardson and Band of Skulls are optimistic about their success on an international level and have a great outlook on their music and their fans. Their live shows give new breath to rock n’ roll, with their loud, enchanting, and charismatic sound merges new age and old school in a way that appeals to adults and youth alike. Check out their new release Himalayan and catch Band of Skulls as they continue their tour of North America until mid-June.