Mint Goodbye Beautiful Interview

"We're as scared and angry as any other person our age. If we can provide a soundtrack for people that can relate then we have made a difference. We're not a protest band and not every song will be a protest. We can't afford to take a day off work and travel to London to add our voice. But we're not just going to watch TV and read online either."

On 'Goodbye Beautiful' frontman Zak has written a song that encapsulates the diverse issues his generation faces. Memories of hearing 'Bella Ciao' sung by the sole Italian family in his area inspired him to write a song to voice the resentments, fears and concerns of the young over the environment and their future, as well as wider issues such as racism, animal cruelty and societal division. In three and a half minutes, Mint channel the broad scope of the song into a high-octane imperial march towards certain doom. Guitars careen through the mix mounting to an explosive and unforgettable chorus. It is a powerful statement of intent from a group who see the emotional resonance of music as a potential platform for uniting people. The accompanying video is compiled from footage taken by a friend of the band on his travels, interspersed with suggestive images: icebergs, waste, oil spillage, animal suffering and protesters clamouring for revolution. As they were developing the idea, the group reached out online and contacted organisations, bloggers and social media. "It was an amazing response and took us by surprise" confirms Sam (Veggie). "Most people were delighted to be involved and all added thanks and support." "We're hoping that we will touch upon people enough to make them think" Zak adds. "We hope that it will inspire them to do their bit". Fans of the song can expect a raw honky tonk acoustic version forthcoming too.

Interview with Mint

Question: Can you tell us about Goodbye Beautiful?

Mint: So we basically had the idea of putting some life into something old. You know like what craft enthusiasts do with like old furniture? Well that, but with a dead old anti-racism chant (Bella Ciao). We wanted to talk about climate change and how scary the world is right now.


Question: What's the main message you'd like the track to spread?

Mint: I guess just for people to wake up and care a little more about the planet. Not just from a climate change perspective either, just about all topics: war, pollution, animal rights, women rights and racism. Whatever you can do, just do your bit to try help make the world better.


Question: Where did the idea for the video, for Goodbye Beautiful come from?

Mint: Again, it's just basically a big showcase of the world being broken. We aren't aiming to like offend? I guess just shock. Like there are still lots of people that don't know that the things in our video are happening literally right now.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Mint: I think the rhythm section (Bambi/Veggie) prefer recording but me (Zak) and Lenny definitely prefer the sweat and carnage of a live show.

Question: What should we expect from your upcoming tour?

Mint: Sweat and Carnage.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Mint: Probably Turbulence for me, you'll hear that very soon.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

Mint: Be pretty cool to have someone like Josh Homme or someone right up the ladder. At that point it wouldn't matter what you stood for, you would be eternally cool.


Question: What is the story behind the band name?

Mint: My favourite colour and it just kind of stuck after a drunk session trying to think of one. We don't actually like it but we are stuck with it now (laughs).


Question: How did the band come together?
Mint: Partying through college and at some point between Lenny spewing on himself and us getting into pubs and clubs underage. We thought we didn't want all of that to end. And here we are.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Mint: Being either dead happy or dead depressed; no in between.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Mint: Slowthai, King Gizzard, The Blinders and October Drift.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Mint: We all just love partying and attention to be fair; we felt like being in a band would help that.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Mint: Personally it'd either be Kevin Parker or Tyler, The Creator.

Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Mint: Probably going back to work after a tour. Like picture it, a weekend, fortnight, month or whatever of people thinking you're a dead important person; then going back to a retail job. Hannah Montana never warned me about the psychological struggles of the double life at all.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Mint: We all are either writing music, drinking or touring; or all three.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Mint: Meeting new people; some of the best people in my life I've met through music, it really does bring people together and that's so crucial.


Question: Can you share your socials?

Mint: www.facebook.com/wearejustmint
@wearejustmint
@wearejustmint


Interview by Brooke Hunter