Nova Scotia’s own The Boojums are about to unleash a storm of garage rock, punk, and power-pop with their self-titled debut album, out 31 October. Known for fuzzed-out VHS performances and unapologetically raw energy, the trio has built a cult following before their record even drops. With their first single “Wings of Fire” already buzzing and a London show at Strongroom Bar in Shoreditch set for 16th of September, they’re ready to bring their full-throttle sound to new audiences. To dig deeper into their story, we caught up with The Boojums for an interview.
Your sound pulls from garage rock, ‘70s punk, and power-pop. How did The Boojums first shape this raw, high-energy identity?
When we first started, we just wanted to put together a band to jam out some of our favourite old rock songs like You’re Gonna Miss Me by 13th Floor Elevators, The Witch by the Sonics, Freelance Fiend by Leaf Hound. We were also listening to a lot of Dead Moon and were really inspired by their fiercely DIY approach.
You started by uploading fuzzed-out VHS performances online. What role did that DIY approach play in building your early following?
In this weird world of excess and endless computer plugins, attaining perfection has never been easier. We felt it to be refreshing and maybe a little more human to go in the other direction and embrace the low quality footage and audio we got with whatever cheap analog gear we could find. The vocals aren’t always in tune, our playing isn’t perfect. But hey, it’s real!
“Wings of Fire” feels like a song about escape and momentum. What personal experiences shaped the single, and how does it set the tone for the album?
On one hand this song is kind of like a cheesy oldies love song that features cool cars but I think on the other hand it’s about reckless abandon, ignoring expectation, and just going for whatever it is you want to get out of life, which I think resembles the road we’ve taken with the Boojums
Your debut was recorded live off the floor. Why was capturing that unpolished, immediate energy so important to you?
The inspiration to do things live mostly just came from records we love. Going through our favourite rock and roll records, we found that no matter what era it’s from or what subgenre it may be, it’s the energy that makes a good rock record. We think rock and roll isn’t so much a sound as it is a feeling of a band turning up loud and having fun together, so we figured that was a good place to start
Nova Scotia isn’t always the first place people associate with garage-punk energy. How has your hometown shaped your storytelling and sound?
Aside from the lighthouses, lobster fishing, and scenic views we’re known for, Nova Scotia has a pretty deep history of great rock bands. There was somewhat of a golden age in the 90’s with bands like Sloan, Thrush Hermit, Jale, Plumtree, Superfriendz, and lots more which is deeply engrained in us. So in a way it feels like we’re carrying on a tradition by playing alternative rock styles.
Your music feels nostalgic yet forward-looking. Which artists—past or present—have most influenced The Boojums’ chemistry?
So many at different times of our lives. Sara’s Dad raised her on blues and rock like April Wine, Muddy Waters, and JJ Cale while Willie was raised on punk type stuff like The Clash, The Specials, and The Pogues. Growing up at a time while garage and indie rock revival bands like The White Stripes and Franz Ferdinand as well as local artists like Joel Plaskett and Sloan dominated commercial radio was definitely influential on us. We also came of age going to a great local alternative music festival called Halifax Pop Explosion (RIP) where we saw great bands and artists like Thee Oh Sees, Chad Van Gaalen, King Tuff, Wavves, etc which was kind of like a religious gathering for people who were into alternative music because the festival would bring in so many bands which would never tour here. Also Dead Moon will always be a huge influence on us, musically and spiritually.
You’re about to play Strongroom Bar in Shoreditch before your album drops. What can UK audiences expect from a Boojums live show?
High energy! Loud amps! Daring drum fills! Silly banter! We’re used to rowdy East Coast audiences that can be as much a part of the show as we are. So don’t be too polite!
Looking ahead, how do you want The Boojums’ debut album to resonate—with both longtime rock fans and a new generation of listeners?
We just want people to listen to it loudly and we hope it becomes someone’s favourite record. We also hope the album goes on to inspire other people to make music, and not to worry about not having the right gear, being from the right city, and not get so hung up on doing things the “right” way.