(Interview) Self-Deception: "This is going to be our biggest and best shows in touring, so expect the best.
- Kirsty Bright
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Ahead of their set, Self Deception are purely about the music, their mission a mix between light-hearted and serious. When asked about what they hope people take away from their set, the answer was simple: “To leave with a big smile on their face.”
The balance between fun and yet serious is something that lies throughout their latest release, One of Us, released back in May, the album that tackles a variety of topics. But when it comes to the process itself, the music comes together first, while the lyrics link everything together to create that special outcome. “We normally write the songs first, without the lyrics,” they explain. “We also incorporate the melody with the songwriting in the beginning, but lyrics almost always come last." The cause for this? Being perfectionists. “Our singer, it takes so long for him to write the lyrics because he gets into the details and he twists and turns.” Going on to reveal it’s down to the emotion linked to the work, as “He’s never happy with what has been created, so that's why it always takes so long.”
That's the side of being an artist: the pressure that comes with wanting to put your best work out and becoming your biggest critic. That outcome, though, has produced a release that goes from heartfelt storytelling to carefree party anthems. “We have distinguished the middle point between being serious and talking about real-life stuff. Doing the party stuff that doesn't mean anything.”
However, Erik sums up the analogy in another outlook. “It's like a home party," he laughs. “You have someone sitting in one room, someone's partying, it's chaos and everything, but in a nice way.”
With that it clicked with Ronny, who realised, "That was a really good way to describe it. I've never heard that before. I’m going to remember that. It's like a home party.”
That party atmosphere led to one of the band's unexpected fan favourites, a song about none other than actor Matthew McConaughey. The story behind it came from a producer's idea: “It came from a crazy idea.” Recalling that the idea began with their producer, the guitarist's big brother made a comment in the studio. “Our producer said that our singer sounded like Matthew when he did something in the studio. And we were like, Okay, let's write a song about Matthew McConaughey. And that's what it turned out to be.”
Download marked the beginning of a slew of upcoming shows, with a UK and European show coming up the group are excited not only about what occurs onstage but also offstage too. When asked what the most fun part of touring is, they remarked, “The best aspect is to meet all the people that come to the shows. We love to do the meet-and-greets and signing stuff. It’s always fun to be on stage, but encountering the people is the best.
And for those going, what can they expect? “We're going to bring this on. It's going to be our biggest and best set of shows so far in touring, so expect the best.” Adding that fans should prepare to see "a fucking amazing show".
Before wrapping up we had to touch on the Download line up and wondered just who they would want to recruit if they were asked to form a supergroup, as with such a stacked line-up the potential was unlimited. After a slight deliberation, the outcome? “Maybe Metal and Architects. No reason needs to be given." His bandmate laughs while simply stating, "Sounds good. It speaks for itself, 'What a band.'
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Written by Kirsty Bright
Interview conducted by Eden Callingham
