Swimming Tapes: "There is always a longing for escapism..."

The Northern Irish (mostly) outfit have had a handful of sizzling tunes hit the airwaves throughout the year, which they've dipped in nostalgic syrup and dusted with coastal bliss. It might be winter right now, but click play on a track like "Tides" and you'll be whisked away to festival fields or beachy locales.

Swimming Tapes' summer stunner "Set The Fire" is one of our Fifty Essential Tracks Of The Year - find out what else we think made 2016 such a great year for music.

Hear the track below and get to know Swimming Tapes afterwards.

Could you introduce yourselves for us please?

We are Robbie (vocals, guitar), Lou (vocals, guitar), Jason (guitar), Paddy (bass), and Andrew (drums). Four of us hail from Northern Ireland and Andrew is from St. Albans.

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

We always try to keep it fun, short, and breezy... pop songs that are not too overthought.

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

We have been influenced by a range of music. Robbie, Jason, and Paddy lived in Glasgow and I think without realising listening to a lot of Scottish indie music over the decades has had an effect on some of the songwriting craft. Also some dreamy shoegaze influence from some American bands. Three of us grew up in Bangor by the seaside so we naturally have embraced some of those coastal surfy elements. There is always a longing for escapism and nostalgic memories of our adolescent years.

What should people expect from your Five Day Forecast show?

Expect to hear a taster of what we'll be releasing in the new year.

What are you working on now/next?

We have a bunch of songs written that we are itching to start work in the studio on early next year, which will make up an EP. We are excited to record a handful on songs at the same time this time, rather than just singles.

How is 2017 shaping up? What are you looking forward to next year?

It's looking great so far! We have two awesome shows in January to look forward to already. 10 January, we are playing a show at The Old Blue Last. Then of course we are playing The Best Fit Five Day Forecast at The Lexington on 12 January. We are lining up a London headline show, some festivals and a few shows outside of London. Excited to play more shows and release more music.