2010 was a great year for Brooklyn based boy/girl duo Cults. After posting three anonymous songs on Bandcamp, they quickly came to the attention of some important fans, including NME and Pitchfork, and went on to play a host of sold-out shows, with their debut single selling out on Forest Family Records in the US. Now their dreamy 60s pop sound will be coming to the UK under Lily Allen’s new record label ITNO and with a debut album in May. For now though, they are releasing the single that kicked off all the fuss. ‘Go Outside’ is an off-kilter blissfully summery track that is sure to strike the same chord with fans in the UK as it did in the US. 

WHAT'S…

...so special about you, then?
We’re positive thinkers

...your worst vice?
Never sleeping or sleeping too much. We’ve had a really intense schedule these past few weeks so its been to find the right balance,  and whilst we’re in London we’ve wanted to do as much as possible.

…the story behind your name?
We had an obsession with Cults and watched a lot of movies about Cults. The speeches that appear behind some of our tracks -  they’re from a selection of notorious cult leaders. Where our music is upbeat and uplifting, behind that there are heartbreaking lyrics and quotes from Charles Manson, Patty Hearst, Jim Jones … we really wanted quotes of ugly people saying beautiful things. 

We also find Nicolas Cage in The Wicker Man remake inspiring.

... If you were to form a cult, what would you be worshipping?
As in the Wicker Man remake,  I guess we’d worship bees. And smokes.

... your favourite sound?
Again we have Nick Cage to thank for this but it would probably be bees in an echo chamber. 

...your worst fashion secret?
Three members of our band don’t wear underwear,  though you’ll have to guess who… 

...your favourite website?
Gorilla vs Bear

... good for breakfast?
A beer with a side of bacon 

...at the top of your shit list?
People who chew really loudly and obnoxiously. 

...are you listening to now?
We love Smith Westerns

How would you describe your work?
Brian: Grammy worthy noise
Madeline: Shangri Las have been a big influence.  We love the idea of wrapping sinister tales within a sugar-coated shell.