At the time of writing The Yeah You’s are two of the best things about British pop/rock music. The first single, 15 Minutes appeared everywhere this summer from MTV to the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage. Its joyous, anthemic chorus had hooks so strong that after just one listen it was lodged in my brain and the wry lyrics came tripping off my tongue. Enfield lad and front man, Nick Ingram, warns The Yeah You’s have plenty more “hooks like that to send the rest packing” up its sleeve.
The duo met through a shared love of theatre and music; keyboard player Mike Kintish, 31, a burgeoning novelist and playwright from Manchester met Nick, 27, when Nick turned up to read for one of Mike’s plays.
“The play is still stuck in the top drawer somewhere,” says Nick. “I can’t really remember it; but afterwards we went to the pub and, over a pint or two, we discovered a shared love of classic pop groups such as Madness and Queen.”
It was this shared passion, that fate pushed the two together to compose and write their own tunes... in Mike’s West Hampstead bedroom.
“It seems a fitting place,” comments Nick. “When I was younger I used to spend a lot of time in my bedroom writing songs with my guitar. Mike did the same on his keyboard. We talked about this a lot. I like harmonies, he likes production. We didn’t really know each other at first so it was easier exploring ideas and musical sounds and the keyboards are set up in his room.
“Our name is based on our frustration with how people treat each other in society. When someone asks: ‘You alright, mate?’. ‘Yeah, You?’, and they’re not really interested in what each other has to say.”
The pair’s British humour and dark philosophy on life struck a chord with Island Records who signed them on the spot.
Packing them off to LA to record their bombastic pop tunes – with layers and layers of harmonies – with Greg Wells (Mika, Katy Perry & Rufus Wainwright). The debut album Looking Through You is out on September 28; and the band's next single Getting Up With You is out next week.
Before the album release, on September 27, the whole of Regent Street will be closed as The Yeah You's will be supporting their idols Madness in an Absolute Radio stunt. “The [Madness] drummer is a massive fan,” enthuses Nick, who adds: “I’m really living my dream at the moment.”
NICK INGRAM ON THE SPOT
What’s on your rider?
Towels, washed only once. A mango at room temperature. This was what we put down as a joke once – now we get mangos all the time!
What was the first single you ever brought?
Chesney Hawkes: I Am The One And Only.
Tell me something that nobody knows about you?
I trained as an actor at Liverpool University, after my degree I did loads of stuff including adverts – I am still known in Eastern Europe as the Diet Coke boy!
When is the last time you cried?
Watching The Secret Millionaire. It always makes me blubber.
Where are you the most happiest?
On stage.
Before you were signed did you consider rehearsing for a reality show like X Factor?
I was in the first rehearsal for Fame Academy and got to the last 20. I’m really glad I didn’t get any further. It showed me the un-reality of these programmes.
Do you support a football team?
I support Spurs and, Mike – he’s the only Mancunian I know who supports United. We may fall out after this Saturday’s results.
What did you learn outside the classroom?
Friends are really important. All my closest mates are either from Walkers Primary School or Southgate School or my days at ChickenShed. Some of them starred in our recent video Getting Up With You.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here