Five Day Forecast: Smash Williams

Dougan (French Wives) and Skene (Frightened Rabbit) have been working hard at a new project following their respective departures in "guitar bands" - the result is Smash Williams. Only a handful of sounds have emerged online, but what we've heard is exhilarating - it skirts the territory of Thumpers and EL VY, with flickering chords and catchy synths. It's full of energy and heart, and the pair will kick off a mighty year with their first-ever live show at the Five Day Forecast next week.

Tickets for the Five Day Forecast are on sale now.

Stream the pair's "After A Time" below, and then read the Five Day Forecast Q&A after.

Could you introduce yourself for those that might not be familiar with what you do?

We are Smash Williams, a duo based in Glasgow, Scotland. We got together around 18 months ago, while we both had a period of spare time on our hands, to work on bits of music that had been floating around our heads without means of egress. We both have served our time in guitar bands and wanted to put a foot into slightly unfamiliar territory. We're not entirely sure where we ended up.

What do you try to do with your music and how do you achieve this?

We're essentially trying to make pop music, but then everybody says that nowadays... we haven't ever really set out to write 'this' kind of music or 'that' type of song, we just play around with ideas and work things into shape over time. We spent a long time writing without any notion of how the whole thing would be presented, which was quite freeing. It's a fun way to work as there are less limitations.

Can you tell us what musical and non-musical influences have shaped your sound?

Cocteau Twins and Drake, dry vermouth, Campari and gin.

What should people expect from your Five Day Forecast show?

The Five Day Forecast is actually going to be our first ever show. We thought it sensible to choose a nice, relaxed, un-stressful, controllable environment to debut our work; then we thought HANG IT LET US DO A FESTIVAL. It's been fun learning the songs so we're looking forward to sending them off on their first night out. It feels a bit like we're jumping in the deep end too so fingers crossed we can swim.

What are you working on now/next?

Primarily, the aforementioned learning of songs to ensure we can make the gig work! Alongside that though we're working on the songs all the time, new stuff and buffing up what's there. We're tinkerers. We're also planning for a proper release in early 2016 - some sort of EP or single, that's what bands usually do, isn't it? We'll probably do one of those, and maybe some more gigs.

How is 2016 shaping up? What are you looking forward to thisyear?

It's shaping up nicely so far. Basically just excited about people getting to hear what we've been working on and playing more live shows. That, and Suicide Squad.

Smash Williams play London's The Lexington Wednesday 13 January with Natali Felicia and Legends Of Country also performing. Grab your tickets now.