THE RPMS have moved to Brighton from seaside neighbour Dorset and already feel like natives. JAMIE WALKER caught up with Jack Valero ahead of their gig in the city

For anyone reading this who is unfamiliar with the band, tell us a bit about yourselves.

I’d say our style is very electro-pop/alternative-pop, that kind of thing, but I think what makes it more unique is we started out as an indie band. We started to make that change when we moved into a more contemporary and electronic place and because we all had indie backgrounds we had to learn that as we went along. We weren’t constrained by electro methods so we were able to explore it in a whole different way.

You’re playing The Hope and Ruin on July 7, what do you like about it as a venue?

The sound is really great and you can load in really easy. I know that doesn’t sound like much but for a band it’s really nice. I think it’s one of the few venues in Brighton that’s mainly for young people. I think it’s one of those places that’s almost like a hub, for younger people to get together and listen to new bands. In terms of new music, and new music for young people, It’s probably the best place in Brighton.

You are from Dorset – what prompted the move?

We’ve been hear a couple of years now, so I think we’ve earned the title of locals at this point. Brighton is a huge hub for new music now, it’s getting even better than London. It’s up and coming, and for aspiring musicians from Dorset it’s a much better prospect than sitting around in open fields. Unless you know how to drive a tractor you don’t really have any prospects there.

What makes Brighton such a hub for music?

I think because it’s got such good connections to London, which obviously really helps. A lot of people think that London has become too touristy and has lost some of its coolness. For younger people, they need somewhere to go and Brighton has two universities, it’s becoming a great place for young musicians to migrate. It’s somewhere they can essentially take over. Brighton’s a lot smaller so you can concentrate all that energy into one place. Brighton has such an artistic vibe too that it’s a natural fit. I remember when I first came here for The Great Escape, five of six years ago, noticing that everyone was walking around with a guitar on their back. Kids like me who were all playing instruments or had an instrument with them.

You recently released a new single, Let Things Happen. What’s the reaction to it been?

We did a collaboration with Gethin Pearson, our producer [Mallory Knox and Charli XCX], who is really talented. It was weird because we just came together to see what we could come up with. We went to his little studio and demo-ed it and I think the inspiration came from the sentiment of just let things happen. As in, try your best but if things don’t work out just keep going. I think it really encapsulates where we were at the time, and where we are now. We’re at this place where we’re getting higher and further but you still have to work your butt off to carry on. It came from that really, trying really hard and just let it come together itself.

You’ve also announced a couple of Isle of Wight Festival appearances. Do you prefer playing those or solo shows in clubs and pubs?

It really depends. I think you can like both for different reasons. Venues are much more intimate shows, where you can get up close and personal with the audience, which is a really interesting experience. With festivals, you can play to a lot of people who haven’t heard of you, and really bring them in. You can have the craziest things happen there, which makes the whole experience different.

Let’s end with a quick plug for the show. If anyone is free on July 7, why are The RPMs the band to see?

It’s the Brighton show, it’s the local boys playing at home in what is the music hub of the UK at the moment. I think it’s just worth it to come to Brighton and see the vibe. It’s gonna be an absolute stonker of a show.