Talk In Code delivers the perfect pop sound Americans love from the UK, blending the new wave of the 80s with the Indie Pop of 2024
Upon listening to “Something of Nothing”, I was immediately sent to my happy place, thinking about the music by iconic UK artists such as Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, and the Human League. “Something of Nothing” by Talk in Code boasts sparkling guitars, punchy synths, electronic textures, and futuristic industrial sounds, the definition of ‘synth-pop’. Check out our interview below:
We get to chat with Talk In Code about their musical influences, what they think of American pop stars, and most importantly, whether they choose NYC Pizza over Chicken Tikka Masala
SBN: You are based in Swindon, not exactly the music capital of England, right? No insult to Swindon, I’m sure it is lovely, but we read that you have a little public relations issue compared to other cities in the UK. Have you ever thought about a residency in another city where there is a vibrant music scene?
TIC: It’s true, Swindon’s not best known for its conveyor belt of musical talent like Liverpool, Manchester, Brighton and London. XTC is possibly the biggest band to emerge from the town.
Swindon is a small town and we are reasonably well known. We like the idea of putting Swindon on the music map!
SBN: We want to know your specific inspirations, so we have to ask the band if you are fans of new wave 80’s icons such as Pet Shop Boys, Human League, New Order, Depeche Mode, and ABC to mention a few. If so, what bands are you interested in?
TIC: All those you mention – absolutely – we enjoy! We love more 80’s pop like Go West and Whitney Houston too…those huge, uplifting magical pop records. Our influences range from disco like Nile Rogers through to modern day contemporary indie pop artists such as The 1975.
U2 and The Killers play a part too although, in general, we are influenced more by individual songs than entire collections of any one artists’ work.
SBN: What contemporary bands or artists are on your current playlist?
TIC: The 1975, One Republic, Imagine Dragons, ChVrches, London Grammar, Sigrid, Coldplay.
SBN: What do you think about the American music stars of today like Beyonce, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Drake, Bruno Mars, etc. You can be honest, don’t hold back, we can take it!
TIC: In pop terms, we’re into more the Taylor Swift, Katy Perry realm we’d say, although we are partial to some pop/R&B like Usher, Ne-yo, Chris Brown. In terms of bands, The Killers are massive for us, Hot Fuss is up there, in our opinion as one of the greatest ever!
SBN: Tell us about the recording process. Do you self-record the demos before you move into the recording studio? Did a particular producer create your distinctive sound?
TIC: We have our own little studio setup – fondly known as The Den – where we write, demo, and take care of certain elements of pre production before taking songs in to record ‘proper’. We all contribute to ideas with the seed coming usually from a synth hook or vocal top line and we go from there.
All our recent full productions have been recorded at Studio 91 with Sam Winfield (The Amazons, Fickle Friends, Bring Me The Horizon, Amber Run).
SBN: Were there certain synth and drum sounds from a particular artist that you were locking in on when recording?
TIC: Not really, it’s truly a concoction, but again some of the The 1975’s production is incredible! We love Mike Crossey and Spike Stent’s work in general and would absolutely love to work with either of these guys.
SBN: Your sound reminds us a bit of the Liverpool band The Wombats. What UK bands would you love to tour with that share a similar sound and audience?
TIC: Influences come from all over. The dream would be to go out on tour with Coldplay, can we include U2 and Snow Patrol too?? All for the simple fact being that we feel their fans would enjoy Talk In Code.
SBN: Any advice for young people looking to get into music for a career?
TIC: Listen…listen and observe people’s reaction to your music. If you’re looking for a career, the people’s opinion that are consuming your music or at lest who it’s aimed at is important.
Don’t be driven by it entirely, have truth, but you’ve got to listen and observe what’s happening around you.
Also, explore….
SBN: Any good stories to share with us about the band? Any characters, crazy moments, or trouble of late? We love a good story.
TIC: If only, we’ve brushed shoulders with a folks backstage in the past but no all-night benders and anecdotes to share really….sorry, that’s so boring!!
SBN: Speaking of a story, let’s focus on the lyrics and what they mean. Is this the story of someone wanting more from a relationship than the other person?
You’re making something of nothing
You want me to decide
Breaking through all of the lines
You want a love everlasting
Now you deny
TIC: In short, it’s about drama queens! We all have people in our lives past and present that dramatise, over-analyse or inflate…some things just need to be taken at face value. No need to make mountains out of molehills!!
SBN: Rapid Fire questions, choose one over the other:
Lager or Coffee – Lager
Place to live or Place to record – Place to live
Playing Live or Writing new songs – Playing live
Relationship or Music – Relationship
Driving or Flying – Driving
American Football or English Football – English Football/Soccer
Trip to LA or Trip to Ibiza – LA
NYC Pizza or Chicken Tikka Masala – That’s the toughest question here….Chicken Tikka Masala
SBN: Thank you so much! We hope you come to NYC sometime on tour. Be sure to hit us up!
