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Bastille’s Will Farquarson: It’s not all about the bass

SINGAPORE — Formed in London in 2010, British band Bastille began as a solo project by singer-songwriter Dan Smith, who later decided to recruit members Chris “Woody” Wood, Kyle Simmons and Will Farquarson.

Bastille will perform at the Hard Rock Coliseum in Sentosa next month.

Bastille will perform at the Hard Rock Coliseum in Sentosa next month.

SINGAPORE — Formed in London in 2010, British band Bastille began as a solo project by singer-songwriter Dan Smith, who later decided to recruit members Chris “Woody” Wood, Kyle Simmons and Will Farquarson.

That same year, Bastille released their debut single, Overjoyed, under Virgin Records. Fast forward to last year and their first studio album, Bad Blood, debuted at the top of the British Albums Chart. Since then, they have been nominated for four Brit Awards and have, to date, sold more than five million records in the United States and 2.5 million records in the United Kingdom.

The band’s sudden success is not lost on Farquarson. “We never expected to be this big,” confessed Bastille’s bass player. “Hopefully it continues because I am enjoying it!”

And why not? Farquarson’s entry into the band, he said, was all based on a lie. “Dan and I had a mutual friend. She told me he needed a bass guitarist who could also play the piano and guitar, and sing. None of which I could do at the time!” he said, before quickly adding: “But now I do.”

Like many musicians, Farquarson held down a day job to pay the bills before Bastille came along.

“Like Woody and Kyle, I had jobs doing music in other guises. I taught a bit of guitar and worked in retail,” he explained, recalling the day Bastille became his full-time gig. “I still remember when Dan went for the meeting with Virgin Records. I got the phone call at work itself. I said to my boss, ‘Dude, I’m gone.’ It’s one of those special moments that I will never forget. It still makes me smile.”

He added: “It’s great being in a band. You get so close to people and spend so much time together. We’ve never had a fall out. Our vision is enough.”

Even more satisfying for him is the fact that although Bastille began as a musical vehicle for Smith, the songwriting process has evolved.

“Dan is the still main songwriter — he would always bring songs,” he said. “But before, he would work on them at home. Now, Dan will play a song on piano during our soundcheck and then we will contribute. It’s more collaborative. Now that we’re constantly on the road and touring, the rest of us are more involved.”

In recent interviews, Smith talked about having more guitars in the next album and Farquarson is excited by the prospect.

“Previously, the music didn’t have any guitar and so it’s an easy way to expand the sound.”

Farquarson confirmed that Bastille would play a couple of these new songs live in Singapore and that he would play guitars during the set.

“Now I get to do loads of guitar! It’s kind of a promotion to lead guitarist!” he quipped.

Bastille performs in Singapore on Jan 9 at the Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa. Tickets available from SISTIC.

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