A band who first achieved national radio play in 2008, Imperial Leisure have staggered back into relevance with their new single 'Tomorrow Tomorrow'. Fifteen years on from their breakthrough moment, founding members Scott Vining and Denis Smith have reformed the band and produced a brand new album, heading out on the road again.
With their new release, the band are reliving their energetic mix of 2-tone Ska, smashed into 90’s party punk with a hip-hop edge. Titled 'Tomorrow Tomorrow' the new single is taken from their new album 'Through The Mountain', which arrives alongside their first wave of festival and live dates for 2023.
To help celebrate the new single, we had a quick chat with the band about where it all began, and what's still to come.
Thanks very much for taking the time to answer a few of our questions. Let's take it right back - how did you first start making music?
"I jumped up and down and belted out Queen lyrics."
Where did it all begin?
"My mum's house party. She loved to entertain and glorify her children on their respective birthdays."
The band has always has a strong ska vibe, but how would you describe your sound?
"Combination of lots of ideas, sometimes under a ska/punk umbrella."
What influences most define your music?
"Partying, erm, Partying, and maybe more partying."
Can you tell us a bit more about the new project?
"So when did songs start getting called projects? Maybe while I was busy being an old fart. This project, I don’t know, hard to say, we were just writing and this character/idea came out and we worked on it. Also we may have been watching Brian Cox and David Bowie videos while on mushrooms."
How does it all come together?
"Magic, we try to apply protocol, it never works out, every song is a step into the unknown."
What’s the most important thing for you when you’re writing a song?
"Know your vibe, make it happen, anything less than everything is not enough."
What’s next for you as an artist and a band?
"Try to have a good run and not kill myself."
What advice would you give to band’s who are looking to make it big?
"Don’t, it’s bull shit, the music industry needs you to want to make it big in order to capitalise on your free labour. You made it big the moment you decided to let your soul be heard and someone heard you."
What has been your best moment as a band so far?
"Well we are a band that has changed a lot in line up over the years so not sure how to answer this one. But i think I can speak for all when I say the best moment, as a band, must have been any time we got the full rider with an audience keen to celebrate the fact with us during an 1 hour 15 minute set."
Born of school friendships and forever evolving, they are all about fun with a strong conscience. Sympathetic to hardship, the band regularly organise parties to support causes, donate their gig fees to charities chosen by their fans and are actively involved in mental health awareness campaigns and fundraisers.
New single 'Tomorrow Tomorrow' is available now, along with the full album, which you can stream on most major platforms.
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