We’re joined by Alex Moore, frontman of one of the UK’s most exciting and distinctive bands, The Lathums.
From their roots in Wigan to selling out venues and connecting with fans across the country, the band have built an incredible journey so far. Alex joins us to talk music, life on the road and what’s coming next.
I have to say, being from Wigan, you are the only person I know who can wear a cowboy hat. Is this true, do you think?
Yeah, I am. I’ve had that before too. It’s a bit of a……..so it’s authentic as well; it’s not from any old place, it’s genuinely from America. I feel like that gets attention, so you get people walking around and giving it a stare, but I don’t mind that.
I have to ask, what’s it like coming from Wigan and like you said you’re so being from the town; what’s it like getting to the level you are at? Not that many people hit the levels you have. Of course you have Richard Ashcroft, who was massive, but what was the scene like when you were developing your sort of sound?
I think for many years, you just living in it and we were all dead young; we didn’t really have any frame of reference to work from, so we were just kind of living through the ups and downs, but now ‘cos I’m older and seeing what we’ve done and achieved, and personally what we are capable of, I just feel very grateful and very lucky to be where I am. I kind of took it for granted when I was younger, but that’s in the past…I’m just very grateful.
I have to say, I think Leeds has been a big part of your journey, a kind of stability to help you get started when you were just coming up from the BBC Introducing and now you’re all kind of playing the main stage and stuff. How has Leeds and Reading too, helped your ethos into how the festival circuit works?
Wow, that’s a hard question to answer!
The reason is that it’s a hard question because a lot of it just happened quite naturally! Before our very eyes and so fast. It’s hard to try to reflect on things and see it in retrospect but, obviously we want to do the very best job we can, we know what we want to project and we do that the best we can, but, it’s humbling to look back and think we have come so far so quickly and continue growing and performing. Perhaps in a few years I’ll be able to sit back and reflect on it all, but so far the ride’s been like a roller coaster: fast but fun! We will keep striving and we will keep improving!
And a tougher question still: how do you differentiate Leeds from Reading?
Oooh, probably ask our Tour Manager where we are when we pull up!
Obviously you love the north, it’s home; what is special about Leeds and its crowds in general as you have played all over the City, not just here. I’m thinking of the O2 Academy. So what’s so special about Leeds?
I think Lancashire and Yorkshire are very similar in attitude, culture and the weather! It’s just the people in general are so friendly; down to earth. You can stop people on the street and you’ll get ‘Alright? How you’re doing?’. We also have our own colloquialisms that make us unique; I love Yorkshire me!
I know you released music last year, so are you back in the studios already, or are you thinking more to 2027?
Yeah, so I had a lot of downtime recently. From being 15/16, it was just completely out all the time, this in writing albums in the back of a van, so it’s been nice to have time to kind of reflect on things, collect my thoughts and just be able to collect myself together, lock myself away and write for as long as was needed and that’s been a rather nice new experience. Recharging the batteries; although I love being out on the road, it’s in the blood. But, yes, you can’t do it all the time; everyone just needs that downtime.
Finally, onto the bucket list: Are there any festivals or venues you haven’t played but would love to?
Oh wow! Well, I’m thinking that it’s got to be something very niche, somewhere no one else has ever played, somewhere like the DW Stadium!
Now that would be ace if you were up for it. I’m thinking you’re gonna have to have a word with the ‘Latics manager! So are you a big fan?
Of course I am; anything Wigan and I’m up for it. I love being part of the town.
Photograph by Georgina Hurdsfield @tinyraindropphotography
