Interview - Danny Nedelko of Heavy Lungs
Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way.
If you’ve given British rock music of the last twelve months even a cursory glance you’ll be familiar with the name Danny Nedelko. The title of IDLES’ crossover hit, it’s their tribute to the benefits of immigration and the beautiful friendships that can be forged through a collision of nationalities. But as you are likely to already know too, it’s also the name of Joe Talbot’s best friend, the frontman of the next Bristol punk sensation, Heavy Lungs.
The performance of said song at this year’s festival was, excuse the cliché, a ‘Glastonbury moment’. But as awe-inspiring as it was for those of us lucky enough to be in attendance, how did it feel for the subject matter? “That Glastonbury performance was, if not one of the seminal performances of that festival, in the history of the festival,” Danny Nedelko says in conversation with me.
“It was an incredible performance by my dear friends, and a beautiful moment in music. To hear that song…I was there in the crowd at the back and it brings a tear to my eye. Absolutely beautiful.”
Yet despite having much in common – namely place of origin and outlook on life – Heavy Lungs are not going to be hanging on their peers’ coat-tails. They’ve had a busy year so far, and 2019 is promising to end on a high. Released to coincide with an autumn tour is a new EP entitled Measure.
Their biggest project to date, it’s a pulsating blast of energy that goes straight for the heart. From the ferocious yet controlled chaos of ‘Self-Worth’, which channels Queens Of The Stone Age at their most bass-driven, to the arena-sized chorus of ‘T.O.T.B.’ and the measured power of ‘Half Full’, it’s a real evolution in their songwriting.
This isn’t by accident: Heavy Lungs are serious about their craft but also aware that they will forever be a work in progress. “I think it’s our best work, obviously it’s not perfect but I think it’s definitely a massive step-up for us,” Danny believes. “It’s bigger, it’s thicker. We are evolving. We are getting closer to slowly pinning down our sound or what makes us work. It’s basically a consistent evolution.”
Before you know where they’re going, it’s important to learn from where they came. The group gravitated towards each other via the Bristol music scene: “I used to put on shows before this for two years, odd ones and stuff, always dreaming to be in a band. George has been a drummer on the scene for a while. Ollie has been playing guitar since he was fourteen, in different bands, and is a great musician. James has also been in different bands. But for me it was my first proper band. The boys are incredible musicians, it’s a pleasure to be playing music with those three.”
Over the course of our conversation this is a point Danny keeps coming back to: how proud he is to be working with his friends who happen to be great musicians. Or the other way around. When questioned on how the songwriting works within the four-piece, he responds: “We write the songs beforehand, between all four of us. I write the lyrics but the rest is very joined. We all really inspire each other.”
The approach to lyrics is equally as earnest. There is no handbook or guide to composing lyrics, but Nedelko takes his responsibilities as a potentially-and-hopefully-influential songwriter seriously – in his eyes that means having a positive effect. We are all well-versed in the perils of 21st century western culture, mainly because they are rammed down our throats every day. If, in the UK, we’re not ‘getting ready for Brexit’, then we’re counting our social media likes. If we’re not experiencing FOMO online then we’re watching others argue on it. But it’s all through (and is designed to be observed through) the spectrum of self-worth.
“I’m observing a tiny bit, but also hopefully not in a preaching way at all,” Danny explains. “Mainly for myself and for some of my friends around me. People don’t give themselves enough credit for achieving what they’re doing. Constantly comparing themselves to somebody else when your own pace is fine.”
“There is a different argument of constantly pushing yourself and becoming better. That’s a different argument, but here it’s mainly people just realising that they are doing better than they think they are. It’s a reminder to be proud of what you’re doing and be confident in yourself, but also to always learn and grow.”
“Hopefully people take something from it and it will make them feel better about themselves. I don’t want to say inspire them because it sounds preachy and pretentious, but hopefully it gives them a more positive outlook on their life. The insecurity that social media creates as well…people should just look within for strength.”
Measure adds flourishes to the sound; the chiming guitar on Pacemaker sounds eerily like Bloc Party, while Nedelko’s sneering vocals on ‘(A Bit Of A) Birthday’ sound like other mid-noughties roustabouts Peter Doherty and Johnny Borrell, and on ‘Half-Full’ Nedelko channels the slightly pained, slightly cynical but powerful moods of Faris Badwan. As with the music, Danny’s singing style is also evolving: “I’m conscious of it. I am trying to grow. I have so much to learn and so much to improve in my vocals. It’s a constant struggle but I just want to be a better singer and musician.”
Heavy Lungs are moving into the next stage of their career. Now with a website up and running (“it feels digital as hell, look at us being official!”), their forthcoming tour will take them further afield. “It’s really exciting to play in Europe,” Danny opines. “Of course back home will be amazing as well, but it’s the excitement of playing those European places for the first time for me.”
“We’re just trying to play, despite how clichéd this may sound, the best show you can do. That is true, despite how big the crowd may be. Especially in the company of other great bands. Every show you learn. Every show you try to improve and better yourself. Every time.
“There are so many bands that I like. IDLES are a continuous and incredible inspiration. Every time I see those guys it’s just better. Every single time I see them, that show becomes my favourite show. Bands like Ice Age, The Oh Sees, Giant Swan, Crows, some of the many influences. I’m talking about live, in the studio it’s a different beast.”
So we have some clues as to the direction, but what’s the one thing that attendees are guaranteed to get from the gigs? “Tinnitus…Absolutely good vibes.”
Presuming ears recover the logical next step is an album. While the idea seems to weigh heavy on Danny’s mind, he also seems undaunted: “It’s always in the back of our minds. We are fully aware that’s what’s expected! Not a single day goes by without thinking about it.”
“Stay tuned, be patient. Of course we want to do an album but it just needs to be special. The album is a really big statement for the band so we need to approach it carefully, patiently and passionately. I’m hoping when the time comes we’ll deliver.”
Heavy Lungs are one of many upcoming guitar bands that are throwing stones at the mainstream whilst staying in their corner of the playground. We now live in an era where authenticity and artistry are once again valued, regardless of genre. Yet the message and the values are always the same: “Lots of love. We all really love having this cathartic experience on stage and if somebody takes something from that, the thirty or forty minutes that we do, it hopefully brightens their day and inspires them.”
“If not, I just hope they have a good time.”