In Conversation With... The Molotovs
- Dominic Kureen
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Isle of Wight Radio was fortunate enough to catch up with one of the hottest young bands in the music industry today, just moments before their breathless IW Festival set last Sunday (June 21).
Siblings Issey and Matt Cartlidge performed with their customary high-octane dynamism and electrifying pandemonium on the River Stage, delighting an early evening throng of passionate revellers.
Here's what they shared in conversation with Dom Kureen.
How does it feel to be back at the Isle of Wight Festival and performing on the River Stage again?
Issey:
"We're really excited to be back on the River Stage again.
"This is our third consecutive year there, so it's a hattrick on the River Stage! This is the first time when we've had an album out, so we can see people get more into it.
"There's also a band called The Sukis who are performing before us, and they've supported us before - we're happy to be able to hang out with them again."
With your busking background in mind, you've transitioned from that into these big festivals now, so how's that been?
Matt:
"We (still) do a bit of busking here and there, it's always felt like a natural progression.
"We didn't want to stay buskers forever - when Winter comes around you don't want to be outside!
Issey:
"It's been six years, it doesn't happen overnight, and it's not one steady flow, it oscillates a lot."
Matt:
"Even something you see as a big marker in time and in career, you think 'everything is up from here' and it (isn't that linear).
"I remember we supported The Libertines for the first time, we thought 'oh my god, we're going to make it and get signed, we'll be famous by next week' and it just wasn't like that at all.
"But it wasn't like that, we were playing on a barge behind Sainsbury's on the Union Canal the week after, shivering. It was good that happened, it stops you taking it for granted."
Is Ren - who spent a lot of formative career busking and subsequently had a UK number one album - an inspiration?
Issey:
"Ren's lovely, I wasn't aware of his music for a long time, I actually met him when we were busking on Brighton beach.
"We were halfway into a cover of Alright by Supergrass, when the police turned up and started seizing our equipment.
"Ren happened to be walking by, and he intervened, talking on our behalf to help."
Add 'superhero' to his accolades! Just finally, your aesthetic is so eye-catching, do you find that a lot of people in the crowds take inspiration from your style?
Matt:
"At our gigs, yeah, especially a lot of the younger lads who get into the clothes, ask where my shoes are from or my sunglasses and things like that, and it's quite flattering!
"I think it's great - I'm the same - if I see a great coat that someone like Steve Marriott, Paul Weller or Noel Gallagher is wearing, I'm happy to (take inspiration) from them."
Issey:
"Matt's even dropped off bags of clothes to young fans when he's grown out of them!"