We catch up with Ewen of Be Like Pablo ahead of Belladrum 2024 and ask them a few questions.
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It’s been quite a journey for latest album ‘A World Apart’ can you tell us about how the album came about and the journey to it’s final release?
We released a series of singles with music videos between 2017 and 2019 which we had really enjoyed. At the end of that process, we weren’t totally locked into a set path. We did have a couple of songs lined up as singles but we also liked the idea of doing an album. Then, in 2020, the pandemic hit which gave us a lot of time to write so moved forward with the album.
We finished recording it back in 2022 and eventually released it a couple of weeks ago so it’s a really great feeling to finally get it out there! Its on all major streaming platforms and you can buy it physically on vinyl by visiting our website www.belikepablo.com
I think we have lost track how long Be Like Pablo has been on the go for, but what motivates the band to keep going?
We’ve been a band since around 2010 but we’ve admittedly had a lineup change or two since then. Some of our band members have played in bands together before this one, dating as far back as 2002!
We love making music and playing it together and we’ve all been friends for a long time which helps. I can’t speak for the others but I love every element of playing in a band: writing, recording and performing. It’s all really rewarding to me.
It’s been a busy year for you, what have been the highlights?
We have recently recruited a new bass player which has allowed us to accept a lot more gigs so its been really good just getting out on the road again. Another highlight was launching the album at our old stomping ground, The Carlton Hotel in our hometown of Forres which is where I played some of my first ever gigs many, many years ago. It was really cool to go back there!
How are you feeling about playing the Main Stage at Belladrum?
I’m really excited about it! We’ve played some of the other stages at Belladrum over the years but to play on the biggest one is a huge honour. I watched one of my favourite childhood bands Ash play the main stage a couple of years back so it’s really cool to be taking to that very same stage this year. I can’t wait!
How do you go about creating a set list for Belladrum?
We’ve been playing a lot of live shows recently and experimenting with different sets so we’ll look at what has worked the best and try and pull together the best set we can. It will mostly be songs from our new album but we’ll kiely throw a couple of oldies in there too.
Festivals are renowned for horrible clashes, which act on the Belladrum line-up would you least like to clash with and why?
I really want to watch Teenage Fanclub and The Futureheads so I would hate to clash with them. But, thankfully, they are both on a different day to us.
What are your favourite memories of Belladrum?
I’ve always enjoyed my time at Belladrum. Some of my favourite bands to watch were Ash, Cleavers and Glamour and the Baybes. I also always like checking in on children’s entertainer Mr Boom!
Given the Love theme, if you had to create a love playlist with only five songs, what would be on it?
Aren’t most songs about love? Here are some random classics:
I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams – Weezer
Falling – Ben Kweller
Wouldn’t It Be Nice – The Beach Boys
Hey Julie – Fountains of Wayne
Bringing on Back the Good Times – Love Affair
If you could travel back in time which Belladrum would you like to revisit?
It would be interesting to go back to the very first one and see how things have changed.
In your act’s repertoire, what is the most romantic song you have?
There’s a song on our new album called ‘I Don’t Know What I’d Do Without Your Love’. We’re normally noisy and fun but this is a quiet and very personal song for me. It’s the only acoustic song we have!
What’s on the horizon for you after Belladrum?
We have another music video coming out around September. Its a really fun one where we got to wear motion capture suits. Locally, we have a live session in HMV Inverness to promote our album on 17th August and we’re playing a fundraiser called Hedgefest in Elgin on 7th September which is a really important one for us.
Be Like Pablo perform at Hot House Stage stage on 26th of July at 1215. You can keep track of the band via Facebook.
