lots of hands is beginning to venture far past Billy Woodhouse and Elliot Dryden’s humble north England roots. Their new album, into a pretty room, lives within the cavernous and universal space of adolescence. Recorded in Woodhouse’s bedroom studio, their fifth album is a testament to their longstanding collaborative relationship, which originated in a Newcastle school music program when the members were 16.

Smatterings of electronic textures and snug instrumentals earned them a seal of approval from cult favorite label Fire Talk Records (Wild Pink, Cola, Dehd). Northern Transmissions spoke with Billy Woodhouse about the duo’s music school lessons, artistic processes, and growth as artists.

Northern Transmissions: What was the first song you ever wrote together?

Billy Woodhouse: It really depends which way you look at it. Elliot went from being behind the scenes, suggesting little things, to writing full crucial songs for the album. He wrote ‘Asking Star’ for fantasy which was the first time we had collaborated in that way.

NT: You began writing together by exchanging demos online until you were able to collaborate in person. Which style do you prefer?

BW: Both are fun! I prefer to be able to record while we are writing, so being under the same roof is definitely preferable!

NT: What’s your musical upbringing?

BW: Nothing special! My family are all artists and created a lot of paintings when I was a kid, which definitely put me in a creative mindset. I started learning guitar when I was a teenager and then started messing around with Digital Audio Workstatiosn (DAWs) when I was a bit older.

NT: What did you study in music school?

BW: I study fine art at Northumbria University currently, (hopefully) graduating next year, but Elliot and I met on a super shitty Newcastle College music course.

NT: How did your time at music school influence the way you approach songwriting and performance?

BW: It got me writing with Elliot, which is always good. It was probably the first time I collaborated with other people. Before that I was very isolated with my creation process and didn’t like to share with people I knew in real life.

NT: Your style of music is soft and inquisitive but flecked with digital distortions, and your lyrics elaborate on the disconnect between growth and adolescence. Did the technical skills you learned play a part in style, or did it come naturally?

BW: It definitely came naturally! I’m a sucker for crazy weird sounds and I just like to experiment and see what I can create! Who’d you listen to growing up? I listened to a lot of emo and hardcore music growing up but have navigated to a softer folkier sound right now. I have been listening to a lot of Nick Drake and Peggy Seeger at the minute!

NT: You recently moved from Leeds to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Contextualize that for an American audience. What was your hometown lacking that made you want to move to this city, especially when most British artists move to London?

BW: My hometown is actually Newcastle! I just moved back to study at home. I love Newcastle, but the scene in Leeds was something else, lots of genuinely authentic creative people, which I personally find less of in places like London. My heart belongs in the north but who knows where I’ll be in time.

NT: You’re a UK band on an American label, and a lot of the artists in your orbit are based in the States. How does that impact your ability to connect with similar artists in your community?

BW: Honestly, it’s a little difficult to feel so far away from everyone else, but it’s important for us to involve ourself with the DIY scene, which is predominantly in America.

NT: What song on your new album was the hardest to write?

BW: I found “the rain” a really difficult one to write. I wrote it for my mam during a very difficult time and it was the first time I’d written anything after a little hiatus.

NT: What song on your new album are you most excited to play live?

BW: “Barnyard” goes absolutely crazy live! So freaking excited for everyone to hear it!! Our drummer plays a crazy little amen break during the first half that gets me proper hyped, super hyped.

Last question: walk me through your Spotify wrapped. Who were your top artists?

I use Apple Music personally! My number one was Alex G, of course. He’s been my number one every year since 2017. My second was Lomelda, I just think her voice is absolutely gorgeous. My third was Mk.gee, my fourth was Tapir! and my fifth was The Beatles! Pretty standard year for me. My most played song was “Corners” by Mariah Houston. I listened to that song routinely while going through a pretty rough breakup. It holds a special place in my heart.

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