It seems the only way is up for Kent band Get Inuit. Lead singer and guitarist Jamie Glass talks about the band's rise ahead of this weekend’s City Sound Project in Canterbury.

You have had a lot of support from Radio 1, haven’t you?

We‘ve been played on there a few times. It makes you feel like you’re actually moving forward. We’ve been their Single of the Week. But our appetite’s getting bigger, it makes you want more. It’s very addictive getting played! We might be doing a session on Radio 1 in the next couple of months too.

Get Inuit’s music is described as “dirty pop” – how would you describe it?

We play pop music, because we love a good melody hook. Our music’s catchy. But it isn’t your usual pop. It’s very loud and aggressive at times. We do a loud show, I’ve been told. It’s kind of sing along music with a grungy edge to it.

Your careers are really taking off aren’t they?

Things are fantastic at the moment. By the end of the year we want to be so busy that none of us have the time for normal jobs. I’m the only one who’s given up. I worked in a primary school and I loved it, but I just didn’t have the time for it.

You’re playing the City Sounds Project in Canterbury – did you ever go there before you were a band?

City Sounds is like our benchmark. It’s how we know if we’re progressing. We played there two years ago. Then last year we played again and it was a bigger stage. Now this year we’re headliners. It should be a fun gig. We get to meet lots of the other bands we know and people in Kent that we don’t have time to see.

Three of you are from Sittingbourne and one is from Folkestone.

We’re always trying to get rid of him, but it never works! (The band is Jamie Glass, 23, Simpson brothers James, 26, and Rob, 24, and solitary non-Sittingbourne member Oliver Nunn, 24, from Folkestone). Three of us went to college in Canterbury too.

You’ve been supported by Vauxhall Motor’s Vivaro on Tour campaign and got a shiny, new van for your tour haven’t you?

It is very snazzy and shiny. We’re driving to the venues in style. The campaign is to support young bands to make their way. It’s getting harder and harder. When you’re working every single second, for someone to offer that type of support is really kind and we really appreciate it.

How’s the tour going?

We’re on tour with VANT and they’re amazing. Every single show has been packed out. We’re playing with them at LeeFest too.

THE BAND

Formed in 2013 in Sittingbourne, their brand of dirty indie guitar pop is being lapped up by Radio 1. They are on tour and playing at several festivals this summer, including LeeFest, near Tunbridge Wells.

Named Radio X’s Great X-Pectations act and having their single as a Radio 1 Single of The Week on Huw Stephens’ show, Annie Mac has also named them Ones To Watch.
They play City Sound Project in Canterbury with Mystery Jets on Sunday, May 1.
They’ve been loaned a British-built Vivaro van for their 17-date UK tour as part of Vauxhall Motor’s Vivaro on Tour campaign.
The campaign supports up-and-coming British bands. You can check out more about the campaign by visiting vauxhall.co.uk/VivaroOnTour. If your band is in need of a van, contact vivarontour@vauxhall.co.uk

THE EVENT

City Sound Project is a music festival in Canterbury on the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Among the acts will be UK garage star Mike Skinner of the Streets, playing a DJ set, tech house titans Darius Syrossian and Samu.L and dance crossover stars 99 Souls, as well as Saytek, Curtis Gabriel, Billon, Toucan, M.A.X and Devolution.
There will be 15 venues including the Westgate Hall, the Penny Theatre, the Cuban and the Old Brewery Tavern. City Sound Project takes place on Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1. Tickets £22. Visit citysoundproject.com.

MYSTERY JETS

Playing alongside Get Inuit in Canterbury this Sunday are Mystery Jets.

The band’s fifth album and first in more than three years – Curve of the Earth – has been lauded by the likes of Radio 1 and Metro, Q and Absolute Radio. They set up their own recording space in a disused button factory in east London to put it together.

Producing the record themselves, Blane Harrision, Will Rees, Kapil Trivedi plus latest recruit bassist Jack Flanagan found themselves rediscovering the gang mentality that had bound the band together at the start. Will said: “I think these songs have real feeling.”