Peggy Chats With: Italia 90

Your weekly go-to new music guide brought to you by our London music journo, Peggy as she uncovers the latest ‘bands and artists to watch’ in the post-punk, new wave, jazz and indie communities. This week she discusses the 'A' word, touring Europe and DIY radio with post-punk London locals, Italia 90.

@peggyfromearth 

Les Miserable (vocals)  J Dangerous (drums) Eccie Homo (guitar) Bobby Portrait (bass) 

You’ve been solidified as a unit since 2016, but how initially did the four of you come to meet? 

We’ve all known each other since school. The earliest connection in the band is Eccie Homo and J Dangerous, although we were not known by these names at the time. Homo was tasked with showing Dangerous the ropes at his new primary school on the first day of year 2. 

Over the past four years both performing and recording together, how would you best describe your sound and has it changed since your earlier releases? 

It’s definitely changed since the earliest releases, which drew from more traditional influences. Since then we’ve tried to incorporate a variety of different sounds into the mix. We’re still in the process of trying to consolidate something a bit more unique. 

What issues and themes did you choose to tackle in your latest EP, ‘Italia 90 III’?

A smorgasbord of spite really. In order of appearance on the EP, the main themes are: Ireland, psychosis, imperialism, cops and liberals.

With a third successful EP release safely ticked off the list, what can we hope to hear next? Any whispers of the ‘A’ word? 

We think you mean album by this and, if so, we’re certainly hoping to get one out soon. If you mean animosity: not at the moment. If you mean arousal: perhaps. 

Operating at the heart of London’s undoubtedly live and kicking post-punk scene, which music venues would you recommend for seeking out the next ‘ones to watch’?   There’s plenty to choose from. DIY Space for London in Bermondsey is great and offers loads of community and activism related stuff aside from music. Sister Midnight in Deptford is a lovely record shop, which sometimes does very small sweaty gigs downstairs. Worth checking out post-lockdown for sure. 

Having toured across Europe, pre Covid-19, is there a particular city or country beyond the UK that you found particularly responsive to your style of music?