Interview with The Receivers: ‘Impatience is about a game of cat and mouse in life, we’re looking forward to setting that one free’

York-based quartet The Receivers brought out ‘Only Human’, a 90’s infused indie-rock hit last week, with plans to release a new track later this year.

‘Only Human’ was written by lead singer Nick Aldous about wanting to be the best version of himself. It’s an anthemic song, harnessing self-belief and new-found confidence.

‘Usually, I’ll play with the idea of something for a while,’ Aldous said. ‘I won’t know a song’s out of me until it’s out of me, if you know what I mean? It started last year when we played and saw lots of gigs. I’ve always felt a bit like I’m putting on an act when I’m on stage and I’d rather just be myself about it. The lead lyric, ‘I don’t want to be myself, but I don’t want to be anyone else’ is inspired by not wanting to be a character and wanting to be a better version of myself when on stage and in the studio.’

As the lyrics go: “I don’t want to be myself, but I don’t want to be anyone else, and I’ll lie to you all about my health, but I’m only human, I’ll do it again.’

The Receivers also comprises Alex Higginson (lead guitar), Harry Stables (bass/backing vocals) and Louis Bristowe (drums).

The band were forced to become creative during lockdown, according to Stables: ‘Nick was writing on his own for ages,’ he said. ‘We ended up practicing acoustically in the shed at the bottom of my garden! We got 3-4 good songs out of that. One of the songs, ‘The Surface’ is meant to be downbeat but I’ve got an electric guitar [laughs]. We’ve written another song, ‘Chemicals’ (the first one that Aldous wrote in lockdown). We could also do an acoustic version of one of those.’

Another single is planned for later this year. ‘It could be the brand new one,’ Stables said. ‘It doesn’t have a title yet.’ Also up is ‘Impatience’, which was written in December. ‘It’s about a game of cat and mouse in life,’ said Stables. ‘We’re looking forward to setting that one free.’

‘Glass’, an earlier track, is about jealousy, according to Aldous, ‘about something that happened years ago that I don’t really remember’. As the lyrics attest to: ‘His skin is made of a silk I’ll never wear, and no matter where you go he’ll always have a souvenir to share, born and raised into coats of fur, and when it’s cold he gives them to her, they say they’re only lovers, but they don’t know it hurts.’

Between them, they are fans of bands such as Green Day, Foo Fighters, Metallica, The Cribs and The Strokes. If they could collaborate with anyone, they’d go with Fontaines D.C. or The Cribs: ‘Their live shows are sort of rough and ready but they’re an all round great band and nice guys as well,’ Aldous said. ‘I like that they really care about what they do but at the same time they don’t.’

(Photo from left to right: Alex, Louis, Nick and Harry)