“High Energy, Lots of Dad Dancing on Stage”: Adult DVD on Not Taking Themselves Too Seriously, the Leeds Music Scene & Favourite Tattoos

If you haven’t heard the name ‘Adult DVD’ yet, you’ll inevitably hear about this rising six-piece on the cusp of breaking and changing the industry for the better. Hailing from Leeds, they’ve become known for their genre-blurring nature, and for making music that makes you dance – dad dancing is actually encouraged.   

The band consists of Harry Hanson (vocals, synths), Greg Lonsdale (synths, backing vocals), Danny Blackburn (guitar, synths), Jonathon Newell (drums), Jake Williams (synths), and George Manson (bass). 

After releasing an EP last autumn, ‘Next Day Shipping’, it quickly became apparent that their tongue-in-cheek lyrics layered with whirling synth and a plethora of instrumentals is the opposite of an everything but the kitchen sink approach – they have managed to strike a balance by creating well-crafted songs powered by 6 musicians who are clearly in sync with each other. Previously stepping in to DJ before The Dare could take to the stage, their snowballing reputation has led them to a host of live shows geared up for this year, including an appearance at The Great Escape.   

We caught up with frontman Harry Hanson, to talk snare arguments, Bichon Frise, and floor-filling DJ recommendations. 

(Image Credit: BBC Radio 6 / Sam Nahirny)

Was there ever an alternative name you almost went with? 

“Honestly, no. Greg, who’s in the band does illustrations, and he’d done one on the wall in Danny’s studio. When we were writing music, we didn’t have a name and that was just the first thing we saw. We checked the Internet and Spotify, there wasn’t another band called ‘Adult DVD’. So we just went with that. If it was taken, we would’ve had to find something else.” 

What role has Leeds played in your sound or your journey? 

“Leeds is just a good place. Everyone’s encouraging each other, which is nice. That gives people momentum. There’s loads of people in other bands who we’re friends with. We all club together and go to each other’s shows. That makes you push more and do more. I don’t think there’s any influence of Leeds itself. I’m born and bred here so I don’t really know any different, but Leeds is wicked.” 

Is it ever difficult making creative decisions as a six-piece? 

“Yeah, I mean all the time. But it’s just different tastes. Four of us did production at uni, so we’re all producers and produce everything ourselves. There are arguments of what snare drums should sound like. That’s probably as extreme as the disagreements get really.” 

Are there any Northern artists that inspire you? 

“In Leeds, English Teacher are our friends, so their progression has been wicked to see. I went to uni with the guitar player, and seeing how well he’s doing is amazing. There’s loads of good music in Leeds. There’s good DJs, and the electronic scene is growing. DJ Subaru makes tunes and DJs loads. Turnspit are a duo – super gothy, electronic setup. They’ve not released anything, but you should watch them live. They’re amazing.” 

How did the support slot with The Dare come about? 

“That was just a DJ set, but by luck. They didn’t have a support for the tour and that became apparent an hour before doors. We got the call because Jake DJs, so they asked us to play some tunes before. It was good fun.” 

If you’re DJing, what’s your go-to floor-filler? 

“Anything by Chemical Brothers. It’s got that effect. Makes people smile and want to dance. There’s some obscure stuff they’ve put out, but I definitely still dance to it.” 

You’re still kind of new to the scene, what is your vision for the band and what would you like people to know your music for? 

“I think the main thing that we try and get across is that it’s not very serious at all. I don’t want people to be thinking too deeply about it. The whole idea is that you should come and watch us or listen to us. We sound super lame, but like a release – like you shouldn’t be getting sad about stuff. You should use it as a tool to come and enjoy yourself and if you come and dance, even better as that’s the best part.” 

Do you have a go-to dance move?  

“My dancing is terrible, no.”

You’ve previously mentioned about your music, that one of the goals is to make people smile. What always makes you smile?  

 “I really like Bichon Frise dogs. I don’t know how you say it but Bichon Frise, I love them. I follow plenty on Instagram to look at them.” 

What’s the weirdest way a song’s come together for you? 

“Lyrics are always the last thing. I went on holiday with my dad and he has loads of weird one-liners. I was like, ‘Say that again?’ and wrote it down. I can’t remember what it was, but a lot of that stuff goes in the songs. He should be getting royalties really.” 

Do you come from a musical family? 

“No. They’re music lovers, but no one plays an instrument. I think that’s the same for everyone in the band. Actually, Danny’s dad plays ukulele.”

What do you like to have on your rider? 

“The shows have started getting bigger now, so we’re actually getting a rider. It’s not four warm beers between six of us anymore, which is nice. That’s the first thing we noticed as a band starting to progress, like ‘Oh my God, there’s houmous’. I think it’s just lager, water, fruit. It’s pretty simple. We’re not asking for oysters or anything.”

You’ve mentioned you’re working in repping shows in Leeds. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve been asked to provide for a rider? 

“Someone once wanted five iPhone chargers. Genius. Every room in the house is going to be able to charge a phone. But if you’re asking for five per day on a 20-date tour, I don’t know what they’re going to do with all of them. I’ve had black cod sea platters too and loads of weird stuff.” 

Where do you discover new music? 

“It’s hit and miss, but Spotify Discover Weekly. Sometimes I love every track. Sometimes I’m like, ‘I can’t believe Spotify think I’d listen to this’. Just looking at local supports and stuff that are coming out. Radio 6. I have to say that though. I’m joking.” 

What’s your favourite track you’ve released so far? 

“Probably ‘Doomsday Prepper’ off the latest EP. That one’s still my favourite.” 

I have heard there’s some new music in the works. Which artists have inspired what you’re currently working on? 

“The new stuff is a lot more electronic. We’ve started DJing more. Been deep-diving into Bandcamp releases and finding new DJs. Going back to early acid house. I’ve got more into electronic stuff and less band stuff.” 

Genre-hopping seems to be even more common now with artists. Is there anyone mixing genres in an interesting way that stands out to you? 

“Fat Dog, because they’ve got heavy synths but then riffs as well. There’s some weird scales going on. They’re really interesting. They’re crossing a lot of stuff. There’s a lot of that going on.”

Who is your dream collaboration? 

“Damon Albarn. If we could get on a Gorillaz track, I’d probably pack it in after that to be honest. I’d be like, ‘Right, that’s done. Let’s all get a proper job’.” 

Is there a song that you wish you’d written? 

“‘Clint Eastwood’ by Gorillaz. For that to be your first single is nuts. I wish I’d written that. Especially how they write with a preset omnichord thing. There’s a video of Damon just pressing play. That’s nuts when we’re there spending hours trying to program stuff. When you could just hit play on the omnichord on a demo setting and that’s your tune. Wicked. We could do so many more songs.” 

What is the best advice you could share when it comes to producing? 

“Don’t overthink it. Just get the song down. That’s something I’m still learning. You can go back and manipulate the synths or change everything else afterwards. That’s just production. As long as the song’s good, the rest you can do to taste easily. Something I do constantly is just try and find the right synth sound. I just spend like five hours listening to it. Probably the same synth to anyone else.”

What is your favourite track to play live at a festival? 

“I think I’m most excited about the new stuff that we’ve got. We’ve got a new song coming out this festival season. I think if that hits the ground running that’ll be a festival favourite, which I’m excited to play.” 

Do you have a festival memory that sticks out to you? 

“Radiohead at Glastonbury, I was sat on the grass for the whole thing. Mind-blowing. I did Primavera with Danny and a few of us. Such a good time. A festival in the sun.” 

Have you ever discovered your new favourite artist at a festival? 

“I can’t remember who I saw but it was one of those classic things where you get dragged to go watch someone who you’re like, ‘I’m not really bothered about them. I don’t know who they are’. You go and you’re like, ‘This is the best thing I’ve seen all weekend’. But can’t have been the best thing I saw because I can’t remember who it was now.”

What can people expect from your live show? 

“High energy. Lots of dad dancing on stage. It’s just a fun time. And I think people have fun watching it.” 

Is there a question that you haven’t been asked but wished that you had? 

“We’re still new to interviews because we’re a new band, so I’m not sure. Maybe as I do more I’ll think, ‘I wish they’d ask that.’ But you asked how I was, that’s the main thing.” 

I actually have one final question, what is your favourite tattoo that you have? 

 “I’ve got my dog tattooed on my chest.” 

Featured Image: BBC Radio 6 / Sam Nahirny