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Friends, the Brooklyn bred band that are a mixture of indie pop and mutant funk, have just released their alternative video for their new single ‘Mind Control’, which is full of influences from old movies and the camp eighties. The band’s success has recently blossomed and with their debut album finally here, we decided to talk to band member Nikki.

At the start of their heavy line-up of festivals and tours, we caught up with a very fragile Nikki Shapiro to talk to him about their inspirations, if they would ever alter their originality, how they made the change from colleagues to friends and his best and worst festival experiences…

Gigwise: How are you feeling?

Nikki: Erm, Are you on loud speaker?

No

I can hear you in my ear. I’m not feeling so well. Yeh we played Primavera last night and yeh we didn’t get much sleep.

Oh is it cool to ask you a few questions, up for it?

Yeh

Ok, so it’s almost time for you album to be released, are you all pleased with it?

Errr, pleased with it… er yes I am but I want to move on to the next thing, it feels good to be finished.

There were rumours that Samantha wasn’t quite happy with it, how true is that?

Erm I don’t know, feelings change from day to day.

Are you happy with the album? Are there any changes you would make if you could?

Erm, no changes.

You’re becoming more and more recognised, would mainstream success be you ultimate goal?

Er, no.

How do you see the future for the band?

It would be cool to get some sleep in the future, yeh that’s our aim for the future.

Would you ever alter you image for success?

Alter you image for success…….if I ever do please shoot me.

What are your inspirations for the video for your new single ‘Mind Control?

Er, well old movies, and the eighties those are kind of campy. That’s what we wanted and that’s what we were shooting for. Nothing else, I don’t watch television, it’s terrible.

You are playing and played a range of festivals including Primavera last night and Field Day, what has been best festival experience?

Erm, probably yesterday.

What happened?

Just had a really good time, with people, beside the water.

Did you see any other bands you wanted to see?

I, I kinda just erm listened to the music. I saw Chairlift the night before, that was nice.

So what has your worst festival experience been?

Erm, not sleeping and having to interviews the next day.

I’m sorry.

No, no it’s my fault.

So the band all originally worked together in a vegan restaurant, how was the crossover from colleagues to ‘Friends’?

I feel that we kept the same dynamic that we already had. The only thing that has changed is that we can’t relax at the end of a shift and we can’t go home anymore.

Are there any arguments?

Nah, not really.

How do you feel about the food on the road?

Yeh, it’s really hard. The amount of junk food, all these venues have this snack food, junk food and alcohol. This is not good.

So what are you hoping to achieve by the end of 2012?

Ermmm, I guess finish our shows and then relax, put our feet up and take a few months off before 2013 and re-evaluate who we are.

So where do you see Friends in five year’s time, what are your aspirations?

I want to be rolling in a ball of fire, I don’t know.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Yeh, who is this interview for again?

Gigwise

Oh, yeh you don’t have to write this.

Friends debut album 'Manifest!' is out now.