Getting To Know: The Goa Express

Congratulations on the upcoming release of your self-titled debut album. Can you tell us about the creative process behind the album and what it means to you as a band?

The album always felt like something that would eventually happen but when, how and under what circumstances were never really part of the discussion. So, for it to be finally ready feels a little surreal. We’ve been doing this for so long and probably could’ve released a record much earlier had we actually got around to it. The album is a big achievement for us: something that we can be very happy about and something that we can be very proud of.

Your new single, "It's Never Been Better," carries an anthemic and nostalgic vibe. What inspired this song, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?

It’s Never Been Better is the oldest song on the album and is exactly that, a big nostalgia trip for all of us and everyone listening. The inspiration, like most of our songs, seems to come from looking back, revisiting past memories and old relationships and lost times. If the audience can remember the good old days or even feel half of what they felt when they were young, then the song has served its purpose.

The Goa Express has a unique sound that combines various influences. Could you describe the musical journey you've taken to arrive at your distinct sound, and what artists or genres have inspired you along the way?

We were the first generation of kids who were able to access everything online. There was no shortage of music. We spent our college days and our university days dipping in and out of every genre we could find and then experimented with them in the studio and while partying. You’ll hear a little bit of everything in our music and if you hear a comparison, its probably because its there.

You have some live dates lined up for December. How does it feel to finally get back on stage and perform in front of a live audience after what has been a challenging period for live music?

The run of shows throughout December will be a real pleasant way to end the year and an even better way to start the new year. Everybody experiences challenging times at different moments in their lives and sometimes they can set you back a bit. It’s our job to help people forget about that sort of stuff. Being back on the stage and promoting the album will feel amazing for us and hopefully, we will carry that momentum into 2024.

Your shared experiences growing up in Burnley have had a significant impact on your music and friendships. How have these experiences influenced the themes and emotions explored in your debut album?

Because we have shared so many experiences together over the years, there’s a real sense of closeness to the album and a real sense of nostalgia. We’ve grown up together and have often discussed, reflected and laughed about the things that have happened over the years. For us, the debut album captures a moment in time and will always remind us of the fun we had when we were young and stupid.

The album was produced by Damon Minchella and Tom Manning. Can you share some insights into your collaboration with them and what it was like recording in Raglan, Wales?

Damon and Tom recorded our last two singles at Brunswick Mill after hearing our demos and we loved what they did with them - it’s hard to say but sometimes things just work without much thought. After this, we decided to go to the countryside and record the album with them. It was January, it was cold, it was misty and it was just after we had played Glastonbury - we would walk and ride our bikes through the fields to the studio every morning and then wait for our hands to warm up before cracking on for the day. By the time that we had finished recording all ten songs for the album, everybody in the village knew our names, and we knew theirs.