Bombay Bicycle Club is a very unique—and uniquely complex—pop group. A series of three albums over as many years, supplemented by a handful of singles and EPs, brought BBC a slow rumble of appreciation in its native England. By rights, the band’s fourth album ought to be the one that brings it the recognition that’s so far eluded it in the U.S., because So Long, See You Tomorrow (Vagrant) is, even on first listen, an LP that announces a sea change in a group’s approach, in the vein of Revolver or Pet Sounds. That’s high praise, but So Long is, among other things, the most sonically complex of all the band’s records. BBC—guitarist/vocalist Jack Steadman, guitarist Jamie MacColl, drummer Suren de Saram and bassist Ed Nash—will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new feature on the band.
Nash: One of my fondest memories from growing up in north London is spending the summer at the swimming ponds. Not only is it a great way to cool off but also the fastest way to escape the city that I know. When you are in the water surrounded by trees, you couldn’t feel further from London life. If it was warm enough in the evenings, me and my friends would climb over the fence to the women’s swimming pond after closing time and have our very own private pool party. There’s a small group of people that continue to swim throughout the year, even cracking the ice and swimming in wooly hats during the winter. There’s a tradition of going for a dip on New Year’s Day that I haven’t braved yet! The coldest I have managed was three degrees last December, and I felt it for a good few days after. Recently, a visit to the pond has become a vital part of my hangover routine along with a visit to a nearby pub The Southampton Arms (another north London gem). I haven’t found a better way of washing away the previous evening than in a muddy pond. The colder the better!
Video after the jump.
