The Ultra Violets on Touring with The Libertines and Recording at Abbey Road

"By The Water" is the latest release from The Ultra Violets, a modern rock band with a 70s flavor, combining infectious melodies with raw, heartfelt lyrics. Hailing from Cornwall, they’ve been making waves after supporting McFly, The Lottery Winners, and playing iconic festivals like Boardmasters and YNot.

The band’s journey took an unexpected turn when they scored a spot supporting The Libertines on their UK tour—an adventure that began with Cornish Yarg cheese and a leopard-print hat. Now, they’re gearing up for European dates with The Libertines and a growing fanbase.

Frontman Perran Nicholls says of their new track, "‘By The Water’ is a cry for simplicity—the calm of the Cornish coastline versus the chaos of tour life. It’s about finding happiness in the little things, with the one you love, in the place you love." Catch them live, and hear ‘By The Water’—a beautiful reminder to slow down and enjoy the ride.

You’ve had an incredible journey so far, from supporting McFly and The Lottery Winners to playing festivals like Boardmasters and YNot. How would you describe the evolution of your sound since those early days?

In the early days it was all about just getting up and doing it and not really thinking about “the sound” but as time has gone on it’s all we think about haha, but I think in the early years we got compared to Oasis a lot, like maybe an unhealthy amount, but now I think we’ve moved away from that, don’t get me wrong there’s elements still, they were the most influential band on us growing up after all. (Takes every in me not follow that up with “you’re my wonderwall”)

Your story about how you got on The Libertines’ UK tour is absolutely fantastic—Cornish Yarg and a leopard-print hat! Can you take us through the creative process behind that idea, and how it felt to actually be invited on tour with them?

Yeah we played Carl’s bar in Margate, and he was actually there, he was so down to earth that he just came up to us and we chatted for ages, he then invited us to a Libertines gig in Falmouth and as that’s on our door step we were definitely going to be there. 

We watched them side stage and then they invited us into their dressing room, got chatting and also got very drunk, but we remembered the next morning they said something about a UK Tour, but we literally did not get any contact info not even a managers email haha! So yeah we just started thinking well we need to blag our way onto this tour, but with no contact info it’s gonna be hard. We then remembered we have a friend who is a super Libertines fan and she follows them everywhere and they are good friends with her so we thought of a plan. GIFTS….

We knew Peter absolutely loves cheese so that was a no-brainer, let’s buy him a cheeseboard, we went with Cornish Yarg, but what can we get Carl? Then suddenly I remembered in his music venue there was this beautiful leopard-print mat, so it got me thinking as I know he likes hats. I needed to find a leopard-print hat. I found one on eBay with feathers and everything. We boxed it all up with a little love note sent it to the super fan she then went to one of their HMV signings and handed it over. Months went by and then we got a email saying we’re on a date with The Libertines, honestly we were over the moon, these guys are literally iconic. 

“By The Water” seems to capture the essence of simplicity and happiness. What was the inspiration behind the song, and why do you think it resonates with people who might also be yearning for that simple coastal life?

“By The Water” is a cry for the simple life that the Cornish coastline brings, being on tour in big city’s with endless traveling life can sometimes pass you by. This song is essentially about growing up, relationships and knowing what makes you happy. There’s always something comforting about the sounds of waves crashing on the shore, and as the final lyrics ring out go “I just wanna lay my head on your shoulder and live by the water” it paints a vivid image, it’s simple, happiness is with the one you love in the place you love. 

You mentioned a memorable experience with Peter Doherty and Carl Barât backstage in Falmouth. What’s the most valuable piece of advice or insight you’ve taken from them during your time with The Libertines? 

That time is on your side, Carl said when you’re young you think time is going to run out when you’re in a band, but he said there’s no such thing. That really resonated with me, as I’m always chasing the next thing I never sit still and actually take any of it in, and I must learn todo so. 

You’ve recently recorded at Abbey Road Studios—how did that experience shape the sound of "By The Water" and your overall approach to creating music as a band?

I wrote the song a few months previous and I just felt it needed the BEST studio in the world, so I sent the demo to the band and we all agreed let’s go to ABBEY ROAD. We’re all Beatles Nerds… well apart from the drummer (I know right) so it was like being in the bible of music, but that’s didn’t freak us out, we had 12 hours to make a great record and I think we did that. But to me you can hear Abbey Road in By The Water, it’s in the music it’s insanely spiritual Abbey Road and we wanna go back again asap.