Music: Wolf Alice – Guitarist Joff talks

The London based four-piece have already achieved a tremendous amount in their short time together. From playing the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury, to touring with Alt-J, and headlining various UK tours including a long sold out show at Brighton Dome, the rise of Wolf Alice from open mics to some of the biggest stages has been staggering.
Coming to London to study, and bringing his acoustic guitar with him, guitarist Joff (Jonathon is his real name) soon ventured in to the open mic scene, where he met Ellie, and started the Wolf Alice project. “I came to do a degree in London, a B.Ed, integrated with a teaching training qualification, which I just managed to finish, thanks to a very considerate tutor of mine. It was just me and Ellie for a couple of years. I met her out and about at open mics, and we did that circuit for a while. But, it’s hard to get noticed at those kind of things, when you’re playing quieter music. We had no money really, all we had was acoustic guitars.
“It got to the point where we thought it was getting a tiny bit tedious, doing the same circuit, not seeming to be noticed or whatever, so we decided to be a bit brattish, a bit louder, and make people listen to us. A friend of ours suggested Theo (bass) and Joel (drums). Neither of them could play drums or bass, they were both guitar players, so they had to pick it up on the fly. I think Joel had two rehearsals before we had a show. He was by no means a drummer at that point, but Joel is just one of those annoying people who can pick up anything and learn it.”
It seems so simple, doesn’t it? And perhaps, this DIY approach to getting it together and seeing what sticks, as well as bagful of great songs, and endearing personalities, are the reasons audiences have taken to them so enthusiastically.
Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, Tues 22 March. SOLD OUT