IDER celebrate perseverance and the warrior spirit on superb third single "King Ruby"

23 September 2016, 09:45 | Written by Andrew Hannah

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(IDER)

Just five months as a band and only three singles in, IDER aren't just ones to watch in 2017 - they've already got 2016 in the bag. "King Ruby" is further evidence of a wonderful band developing right in front of us.

We very much approved of "Sorry"; we thought "Pulse" was terrific, but Megan Markwick and Lily Somerville just get better and better with each song. "King Ruby" is their best yet.

Matching the Pacific island vibes of Korallreven to echoes of the pure (shores) pop of All Saints, IDER have produced a track with a synth hook the size of a planet and enough late summer sun to last us through to next year. While these are all grand statements, it's the little things in IDER's songs which grab your attention, make you gasp, or fight back a tear or two.

"King Ruby", written for a friend who showed great courage and recovery following an accident, has a moment around thirty seconds in where Markwick and Somerville's voices harmonise together but move ever so slightly in register as they sing "you've always been the king of it". It's not the biggest drop you'll ever hear but that shift is so fucking majestic they should have based the whole song around it. The heart heaves, suffers a skip or a drop of its own,as IDER celebrate Ruby with the lines "you're made of it, born with it". There's also a triumphant and gloriously layered bridge mirroring the power of the human spirit which will have you throwing your hands up in joy, and "King Ruby" as a whole is just superb. This is the sound of a band already well into their stride and racing ahead of the competition.

We asked IDER to tell us a bit more about "King Ruby" and what's happened in the months since their first single.

So "King Ruby" feels like IDER really settling into their sound...does "Sorry" now feel more of an outline for where you wanted to take the band?

To be honest, we didn't really have a clue where we wanted to take it. We've just been writing and recording music in a way that feels totally natural and in a forward direction.

There's a real natural feel to IDER's development,a slow organic process to finding your sound. But knowing the musical background of the two of you before becoming IDER I guess it's not always been plain sailing to get to this point?

It does feel like an organic development, but we've definitely worked hard over the past year and really challenged ourselves. We dived into this project - constantly writing, experimenting with new instruments and working with producers. I guess natural progression comes from working hard.

Can you tell us a bit more about the single itself?

"King Ruby" is a celebration of a good friend of ours who was involved in an awful accident at the end of last year. She's an absolute warrior and the song is about her fight and bravery throughout her recovery.

What inspires you, musically and otherwise?

Music that's totally honest, humans, Autumn, driving and moving around, interesting harmonies, colours, new places, simple words, rhythm, conversations, big drops, good choruses, swimming.

You've gone quickly from that first single to supporting Tegan and Sara, and then there's Shura being a superfan...do you have to pinch yourselves sometimes? Does it get overwhelming?

We're always pinching each other. Yeah it has been pretty mad, especially supporting Tegan and Sara for our second show. We can't remember playing the first 3 songs. Sometimes it feels a bit overwhelming, but mostly exciting and the support we've had so far is so encouraging.

When "Sorry" was released the word was you were living and writing in close quarters. Is this still the case and does it feel like a winning formula?

The word is true! We do still live and write together in very close quarters. We think it's a winning formula! But I guess time (and the reaction to this single) will tell...

You're playing the Best Fit Forecast shows in January; are you super hyped for this?

We are so super hyped to play the Best Fit Forecast in January! Thanks for having us! It looks like a great lineup and we're so pleased to be a part of it.

What comes next for IDER?

So our next show is on 27 September at Birthdays in Dalston supporting Conner Youngblood. And after that... we'll all have to wait and see...

IDER support Conner Youngblood at Birthdays on 27 September, play the Kamio for The Great Escape's First Fifty launch on 22 November and at The Line of Best Fit's Five Day Forecast event on 9 January along with Dagny and Geowulf. Buy Tickets: Billetto / Songkick / Dice / WeGotTickets