Leeds quartet, English Teacher are formed by Lily Fontaine (vocals, rhythm guitar, synth), Douglas Frost (drums), Nicholas Eden (bass) and Lewis Whiting (lead guitar, synth), English Teacher was born in 2020.
They have recently been added to the Neighbourhood Weekender 2023 line-up, we caught up with English Teacher to learn a bit more about them…
Tell us a bit about English Teacher, where are you all from and how did you form?
We were all born in a religious post-brexit commune in rural Iceland.
How would you describe your music in three words?
Cry-laugh guitar music
Who are your main influences, and how do they come into play within the music you write?
We bonded over appreciation for the current South London scene and then discovered ¾ of us really like Radiohead.
What is your favourite song to perform live?
Yorkshire Tapas
You released your EP Polyawkward earlier this year, what was the songwriting process like for this? Was it the same for each song?
Each song was different; some were written, some we found scrawled on caves deep in the Yorkshire Dales.
You’ve had a busy summer this year playing huge festivals such as Glastonbury, The Great Escape and Green Man, what’s been your highlight?
Green Man was a special weekend for us. There was a kid back stage called Leo who challenged us to a staring competition, which turned out to be perfect preparation because really, when you think about it, playing a show is just a drastically imbalanced staring competition.
You’ve recently been added to the Neighbourhood Weekender 2023 lineup, how are you feeling about performing?
Nervous and excited as per usual. Also hoping Jarvis Cocker does a moony during our set.
For those who haven’t seen you live before, what can they except from your set?
A lovely blend of sweat, tears and cowbells.
Is there anyone you’re excited to see perform?
Pulp and Confidence Man.
What’s next for English Teacher, anything exciting in the pipeline?
Recently announced a tour for Independent Venue Week which we hope people turn up to otherwise we’ll be very sad . There is also new music coming we promise.
English Teacher will be performing at Neighbourhood Weekender 2023 on Sunday 28th May.
Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May 2023- Victoria Park, Warrington