The Road to Wembley – Jungleland’s Unapologetic Ambition in Debut Single ‘Playing On My Mind’

My room is cold. My room is so cold that, last night, I had to wear gloves while playing Cyberpunk. I think you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who isn’t looking forward to the reassuring warmth of summertime sun as we push our way through the most frigid part of what-has-been, if I may say myself, a pretty god-awful eleven months. It seems like only yesterday that we were complaining about the air being too hot to breathe - watching our life-force evaporating off of any bare surface available - and yet, somewhat unsurprisingly, I find myself longing for the extended days and chiming of ice-cream vans. It’s hard to listen to Jungleland’s latest single without drawing up analogies of searing sun-filled days and cool moonlit nights.

‘so what happens quite often in this sort of thing, is Charlie will give his answer, and I will- I’ll tell the truth’

Whatever preconceptions I had formed on my first few listens of ‘Playing On My Mind’ were quickly put straight by guitarist and self-proclaimed ‘Chief Songwriter’ Charlie Conduit, who was more than happy to announce that their rock’n’roll-pop band’s name came ‘from God’, much to the group’s humour. The ‘son of Bruce Springsteen and Noel Gallagher’ recounted the band’s willingness to form in September of last year, the original cast consisting of him and vocalist James Warner, who wanted to form something ‘as soon as [they] started writing together’.

While obviously mid-lockdown, I couldn’t help but ask whether this was the best time to start a project with dreams of live music. However, with their individual experience, the passing around of phone-recorded acoustic chords and stagnation-spurred studio time, has driven Jungleland to release their debut single, with another planned in late February and upwards of twenty written tracks sitting at home. Impressed with their motivation to continue being creative, Conduit tells me: ‘ah Tommy, when rock’n’roll calls…’, and that he has ‘never seen [song-writing] as a chore’, which is certainly a refreshing take on what many certainly struggle with.

Throwing around names such as Oasis, The Vaccines, Sam Fender, Billy Joel and Royal Blood – the latter of which incites eye rolls among the entire group, including myself, who knows drummer Oliver Melville from Sixth Form back in school. This mash-up drew parallels with my first impressions, but I was told off for referring to ‘Playing On My Mind’s’ indie-sensibilities, as Conduit and Warner were adamant to keep the rock’n’roll vibes front and centre.

Conduit spoke about his song-writing lyrically, which I found insightful as he does not take part in the vocals of the dynamic. ‘You know what a song means by the way it makes you feel’ was maybe the most important quote I took from the interview, as it summed up the band’s identity perfectly. Jungleland aren’t going to get hung-up on drawn-out or over-complicated lyrics, they aim to enlighten your subconscious with melody and playful-vibrations, providing listeners with meaningfulness in a more direct manner.

Another conversation that stood out to me was Conduit’s reference to a Noel Gallagher interview, in which he criticises a lot of modern music for being negative. Warner chips in and names the song ‘ambitious’; the lyrics about the ‘sun’ and ‘moon’ symbolising this and the band’s aspirations: ‘f*ck The Bodega, Wembley’s where we’re going’.

I was easily able to identify Melville’s rock drums, bringing up the rhythmic dynamics to form an iconic rock’n’roll sound, but I think the interview left the Harry Mason and Andrew Whitaker somewhat as unsung heroes. Their restraint in conversation was a perfect oxymoron to their vital roles in the track. Lead guitarist Mason adds the extra flair that is vital to making a rock’n’roll track glimmer: his solo is a well-needed marriage of melodic lead-lines and rhythmic flexibility, dancing around the solid chords which paint the exact mental picture that their commentary of the song-writing aims to create. Whitaker knows what is needed and is capable of sitting back in the group, providing the simple yet effective bassline, mirroring the rhythm guitar and slotting in comfortably and confidently alongside Melville’s drums.

Jungleland are certainly personalities who reflect their many influences and goals. Their music is fun, danceyand provides the positive energy that I am sure many party-people are dying for right now. The interview does a good job of displaying their individual artistry and ‘Playing On My Mind’ is the culmination of many hours of love and work. While I was possibly nervous about searching for themes to discuss relating to a classic composition, the band’s discussion summed up the track very well, and Conduit was not afraid to break up deep analysis and meaning with humour, giving me lots to think about. Song-writing is a very personal and often spiritual process, and every artist has something unique to add to an age-old tradition.

The interview will be available to watch and listen to for further context. Thanks to Ollie for contacting me about the release and to the others for entertaining me for half an hour. Have you recently released a track and want to talk about it? Don’t hesitate to contact me on social media or by email (straightforwardtom@outlook.com). I am also writing for BIMM Manchester’s student newletter, so if you are interested in getting featured on that feel free to mention it.