Beautiful sounds from Brighton’ very own shores. Fear Of Men release their second LP, Fall Forever, this year after what has already been a fantastic beginning of the year, having done a string of shows in America including the renown SXSW festival. Their new album carries on in the same vain as their gorgeous debut, and having heard tasters of new tracks at their recent Brighton show, it has made us mighty excited for the latest album from one of Brighton’s biggest musical exports. We put some questions to lead singer Jessica to find out more about Fear Of Men.

Where did you grow up?
I moved around a lot growing up – some time in Ohio, Germany, and around the UK. It’s given me a certain detachment from sense of place, and hopefully an independence as well.

Did you get involved in the music scene there?
The music scene when I was growing up was very male dominated – I didn’t know any girls who played in bands, and it wasn’t very welcoming as a musician. I didn’t really start playing music until I moved to Brighton, which felt much more open and inclusive. I started playing in folky projects and then formed Fear of Men.

Do you think where you live has influenced your music?
Being by the sea certainly gives some kind of watery dimension to what we make. We’re always looking for fluid sounds and a lonely grey beach is the perfect place to scribble lyrics.

What kind of music were you brought up on?
Mainly jazz and blues. My family are more into books than music though.

What was the first instrument you played, and when?
I had a music scholarship at school so I grew up playing clarinet and singing. It was cool to be able to use the clarinet for some drone parts on ‘Loom’. My voice has always been the most important thing to me, and song writing. Instruments just kind of fall behind that to me – I usually write on guitar or keyboard, but that’s just a scaffolding for the melody to grow on.

How was Fear Of Men formed?
The band started when I was at art school making films with abstract soundtracks. Daniel heard them at an exhibition and we started swapping mixtapes

What inspires your lyrics?
They’re always closely linked to what is happening in my life. I don’t think you can write it without feeling it, but writers who inspire me are Anais Nin, Plath, Charlotte Mew, Morrissey, Freud. I think the best inspiration is to feel deeply, and keep your eyes open to other people’s art and writing.

How do you approach the writing process?
For the initial demos I like to be completely away from normal life if possible. I like to go and stay somewhere new and remote, where no one can hear all the ramblings that eventually become a song. Then we come together as a band, for this record in a similarly remote outbuilding of an abattoir. It’s good to only feel pressure from each other and detach yourself from the world outside.

Do you prefer writing music or performing live?
I love both of those parts of being in a band completely. Shutting myself away and making something, and then sharing it on stage are both brilliant. The parts that are less enjoyable is all the admin and organisation, and sitting in a van all day to get to the show.

If you could have made any song/album ever, which one would it be and why?
The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds

Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

Lana Del Rey- Ultraviolence

Deerhunter- Halcyon Digest

They are all perfect records start to finish in their own ways.

What music are you listening to at the moment, any recommendations?
I’m enjoying Nothing’s album, Tired of Tomorrow. It’s sad, pop, heavy and beautiful, which makes for my ideal record. We’re playing some shows with them later this year I think.

What are your future plans for the summer and after?
We’re on tour in the UK and US in June and July, August is quiet so I’ll probably go away somewhere to write, and then September and October we will be doing a European tour.

Website: FearOfMen.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/FearOfMen
Twitter: twitter.com/FearOfMen