Interview: LASTELLE
LASTELLE by Murry Deaves
LASTELLE, the Oxfordshire post-hardcore quintet of Adam Rigozzi (Vocals), Mike Hayden (Drums/Vocals). Freddie Whatmore (Bass/Vocals/Brass), Rich Lester (Guitar), and Jonjo Williams (Guitar), have been making a powerful impression with their emotionally charged and sonically diverse releases. Following the success of their previous singles, the band recently dropped their self-released EP Exist Vol. I, which showcases their growth as both musicians and storytellers. Known for blending beautiful, atmospheric melodies with raw, post-hardcore intensity.
Join us as we dive into the LASTELLE’s personal experiences and creative journey behind Exist Vol. I, the themes of mental health that run throughout their music, and what fans can expect from their live performances, including their sold-out EP release show at The Black Heart in London.
Congratulations on your single “Changes with the Seasons”! It’s an incredibly powerful track both musically and lyrically. Can you talk about the inspiration behind the song, particularly how it reflects your personal experience with Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Adam: Thank you so much! Lyrically, “Changes With The Seasons” discusses my personal struggles with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Winter months have always been the hardest time for me – as soon as the sun goes down I struggle to even keep awake which places a huge burden on my mental health. This song is about showing resilience during darker days, waiting for my personal summer, and learning to be present in the positive moments of life.
Now that Exist Vol. I has been released, how do you feel the EP reflects the evolution of LASTELLE’s sound and themes compared to your previous work?
Freddie: Between Delicate (2021) and now, we’ve been working really hard to refine the songwriting of our band, and to figure out what “Lastelle” sounds like. I like to think we’ve been more free with this record, allowed the poppier elements to shine, whilst not compromising on the post-rock influences that we inject into the songwriting.
You’re celebrating the release of Exist Vol. I with a show at The Black Heart in London on 18 September. What can fans attending the release show expect in terms of the live experience? Any surprises planned?
Freddie: As far as the live show is concerned, we’re playing the longest set we’ve ever curated. We’re very proud with how it’s been put together, and we think it ebbs and flows nicely. As far as surprises? We’re running a pop-up event during the day, before the show, with cocktails, mocktails, wings, custom tattoo flash from the tattoo studio next door, and a sneak peek at some unreleased material. We wanted to create a space to interact with our fans and give something meaningful back to them, and we’re excited and grateful that we’re able to do all that in The Black Heart.
LASTELLE has built a reputation for combining beauty and brutality in your music. How do you strike the balance between the melodic and heavier elements in your sound?
Jonjo: We've never approached the more aggressive side of our music with the intention of making it "heavy", but instead approach at is a different way to portray emotion. The blend of melody and aggression has always been about telling a story in the most appropriate manner.
The music video for ‘Changes with the Seasons’ is visually stunning. Can you tell us about the concept behind the video and how it ties into the song’s themes?
Rich: Thank you so much! I’ve handled the filming/post-production of the music videos for Exist Vol. i and to be perfectly honest I’m not a lyrics guy, I never have been, but I usually sit and listen to the tracks over and over with my eyes closed and write down what appears in my head regardless of what the song is written about. I then discuss those visual ideas with the guys to link them to what is being sung about and it all takes shape that way. then you add in the fact we are self-financing these videos so we have to get a bit creative with the budget and you end up with the videos we’ve released. I’m very proud of what we’ve managed to achieve and I feel like I’m really getting to grips with what my visual style is through these videos. It can be a very daunting process with the amount of effort and time needed but when people leave such amazing comments about the videos it makes those multiple days of filming and long edit days worth it.
The EP is titled Exist Vol. I does this suggest that there might be a continuation or a Vol. II in the future? Is there a larger narrative or concept that connects the volumes?
Freddie: As a band, we’re always writing new music. That said, we’re unsure in the way we’re going to be releasing future music. But you can count on the fact we’re not stopping any time soon.
You’ve been compared to bands like Underoath, Atreyu, and Holding Absence. Who are some of the key musical influences that have shaped LASTELLE’s sound, both on this EP and in general?
Freddie: Here’s a list of amazing bands that have inspired one or more of the band. I implore anyone reading to check out any unfamiliar names on this list if you want to know more about why LASTELLE sounds the way it does. In no particular order: Sigur Ros, Casey, Underoath, Alexisonfire, Manchester Orchestra, Trade Wind, The Antlers, Ef, Coldplay, Devil Sold His Soul, Paramore, Rinoa, La Dispute, Silent Planet, Defeater, Holding Absence.
You’ve been praised for your live performances, how important are live shows to you as a band?
Freddie: Live music is everything to LASTELLE. Most things we write are designed to be played live. Live music is incredibly important to me – we live in an age where people aren’t present very often, but when you’re watching a band, and it’s so overwhelming it demands your attention, it’s a great opportunity to just let go and be present.
Exist Vol. I is being self-released. What made you decide to go the independent route for this release, and what are the benefits and challenges of self-releasing music in today’s industry?
Freddie: I think we’re fortunate to be in a position where we have resonated with an audience on social media, and online. I think there are benefits to working with a larger team, and we’re not against working with a label in the future, but it felt like we were able to release things on our terms this way.
LASTELLE’s music has resonated with a wide audience, as seen by your 3,000,000+ total streams and growing fanbase. How do you connect with listeners on such a deep emotional level, and what do you hope fans take away from your music?
Freddie: I hope people can see us being vulnerable in what we do, and if that allows them to feel more comfortable in their own skin, we’ve done our jobs. We talk a lot about grief and loss in this EP, and I hope that by connecting with it emotionally, it can help people process a tough time in their own lives. If even one person takes that from this EP, I think we’ve done a good job.
things on our terms this way.
Mental health is a recurring theme in your music, particularly on tracks like “Changes with the Seasons.” How important is it for you to address mental health in your songs, and what role does music play in your own personal journeys with mental health?
Freddie: I think it’s just a genuine desire of ours to talk about these things, so I would say it’s just second nature. Being honest and genuine about how we are feeling, about how we felt, or by channelling the emotions that others have shared with us, is such a natural thing for us, and I think it feels great to have a platform to talk about it. We’ve all had our struggles. And I’m glad we create a safe space within our music to talk about it.
You’ve toured with notable bands like Holding Absence and Dream State. How have those experiences influenced you as musicians, and what’s one of your most memorable moments on the road?
Freddie: It’s always special to share the stage with bands that inspire you. Less of a moment, and more a concept, but we’re always looking to improve and learn, and so when you get to spend so much time with great musicians you can learn to correct mistakes you’re making, and you learn what you’re doing right. Watching bands at the top of their game inspires us, and drives us.
The post-hardcore scene in the UK is incredibly vibrant right now. How has being part of this scene shaped your sound and your identity as a band?
Freddie: It’s wonderful to be even considered part of a scene that we looked up to when we started. To even be in the conversation is amazing. Our sound comes from so many influences, but it’s very validating when people we look up to, give us recognition and have taken some chances on us. Some of our best tours came from bands taking a chance on us, and we’ll always be grateful for that.
Finally, what has everyone in the band been listening to lately? Any new or old favourites that have been on repeat?
Freddie: Sigur Ros - Untitled
Mike: Bilmuri – American Motor Sports
Adam: Kep1er - Kep1going on
Jonjo: The Human Abstract – Digital Veil
Rich: Johnny Booth – Moments Elsewhere
Exist Vol. I by LASTELLE is out now stream it on your favourite platform.
