After toiling away for the past decade, British India have a handful of albums and anthems under their belt and a solid reputation for their tireless touring. But it’s their latest album, Nothing Touches Me, that they’re most proud of, says frontman Declan Melia.
Compared to their last album – 2013’s critically acclaimed Controller, which was plagued by writers’ block – the making of their fifth album was trouble-free. “After the success of Controller we did a bit of a victory lap,” says Melia.
“We were getting together nearly every day for about six months, just to work on [the songs] lots. And the songs came easy – we had more headspace to get really creative with them, in terms of not just the path but also the sound.”
While immensely proud of the album – “I want to like this album forever” – Melia admits he’s “teeth-grindingly nervous” about its impending release. “The album is never really tested until you take it on tour,” he says.
The band have plenty of chances to do just that, with a massive national tour, plus stints in Japan and the illustrious CMJ festival in New York later in the year lined up.
“This is a young man’s game, that’s for sure, and history shows that…longevity isn’t guaranteed,” says Melia, reflecting on the month-long Australian tour. “So I think it’s the right move as we want to do as much as we can while things are happening.”
“As long as there’s a British India-shaped gap in the Australian music industry, I think we’ll thrive.”
Watch: British India – Wrong Direction
While he acknowledges the music industry isn’t famous for its stability, Melia struggles to see another future. “I can’t not see a time where I don’t want to get together with those other three guys and make music and put records together,” he says.
“Making music is something I never want to be nostalgic about, it’s something I always want to look forward to.”
“It’s not a hobby for us,” he continues. “Really, we gave our lives over to this.”
The band have been together since they were 16 and, while interpersonal dynamics shift, their loyalty to each other and British India has remained throughout.
“Right from the beginning we really thought, if we want to say anything of any real merit or to affect anyone in any deep way it can’t be something we do in our spare time,” says Melia, earnestly.
“It has to be all consuming. And that’s exactly what happened, everything fell by the wayside – education, careers, girlfriends.”
This ruthless determination has certainly paid off, but the real secret behind British India is the friendship and shared history between the four members. “I’ve never played music with a different combination of guys. It’s really embarrassing making music, so it needs to be with people you’re familiar with,” says Melia.
And if you’re waiting on a British India side-project, don’t hold your breath. “They’re such an ego trip,” Melia says. “It’s hard enough writing songs with British India. I don’t have any spare ideas – and if I had an idea I just want to use it and work together. It’s not like if I had an acoustic song I’d want to do an acoustic set, because British India can do an acoustic set.
“We could do electronic if we wanted to, or metal. There’s only one kind of sound that we make, and that’s not because it’s set in stone it’s because that’s the limit of our ability.”
‘Nothing Touches Me’ is out tomorrow, Friday, 13th March. British India kick off their extensive ‘Nothing Touches Me’ national tour next month — details below.
Watch: Mushroom Presents: British India – Spider Chords (Live at Josif K Studios)
British India Nothing Touches Me Tour
Supported by Grenadiers, with special guests Tired Lion from 15th to 30th May. Alice Springs and Darwin shows supported by Unbroken Expanse.
Tickets on sale 9am Thursday, 5th March
Thursday, 16th April 2015
The Gap View Hotel, Alice Springs
Tickets: Oztix
Friday, 17th April 2015
Discovery, Darwin
Tickets: Oztix
Saturday, 18th April 2015
The Gov, Adelaide
Tickets: Oztix
Thursday, 23rd April 2015
Paddy’s, Albury
Tickets: Oztix
Friday, 24th April 2015
Romano’s, Wagga Wagga
Tickets: At the door
Saturday, 25th April 2015
Area Hotel, Griffith
Tickets: Oztix
Friday, 1st May 2015 – SOLD OUT
Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
Tickets: Oztix
Saturday, 2nd May 2015
Urban Music Festival, Caboolture
Thursday, 7th May 2015
Club 54, Launceston
Tickets: Oztix
Friday, 8th May 2015
Republic Bar, Hobart
Tickets: Oztix
Saturday, 9th May 2015
Republic Bar, Hobart
Tickets: Oztix
Friday, 15th May 2015
Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough
Tickets: Oztix
Saturday, 16th May 2015 – SOLD OUT
Capitol, Perth
Tickets: Oztix
Sunday, 17th May 2015
Newport, Fremantle
Tickets: Oztix
Friday, 22nd May 2015 – SOLD OUT
Metro Theatre, Sydney
Tickets: Metro Theatre
Saturday, 23rd May 2015
Cambridge, Newcastle
Tickets: Oztix
Sunday, 24th May 2015 – NEW SHOW
The Basement, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Moshtix
Thursday, 28th May 2015 – SOLD OUT
Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Corner Hotel | Oztix
Friday, 29th May 2015 – SOLD OUT
170 Russell, Melbourne
Tickets: Oztix
Saturday, 30th May 2015 – SOLD OUT
Workers Club, Melbourne
Tickets: Oztix
Wednesday, 3rd June 2015 – NEW SHOW
Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Tickets: Corner Hotel | Oztix
Friday, 5th June 2015
Pelly Bar, Frankston, VIC
Tickets: Oztix
Saturday, 6th June 2015
Riverview Hotel, Tarwin Lower VIC
Tickets: Oztix
Sunday, 7th June 2015
Spirit Bar, Traralgon, VIC
Tickets: Oztix
