Porridge Radio’s Dana Margolin's was diving deep into a sea of self reflection and self awareness on the band’s fourth studio album, Clouds in the Sky They Will Always Be There for Me. The UK-based quartet worked with Dom Monks (Big Thief, Laura Marling) in the English countryside to create Porridge Radio’s biggest record yet.

The band, which incudes Margolin (guitar, vocals), Georgie Stott (keyboards, backing vocals), Sam Yardley (drums, keyboards), and Dan Hutchins (bass), worked more closely than ever this time, creating to the poetic lyrics Margolin wrote from a place of a “…frenetic and desperate kind of love… it is about completely losing my sense of self in one relationship, and the deep residue of insecurity and pain that lingered and clouded a new relationship.”

With almost all of the songs starting out as poems, Margolin has crafted a deeply impactful, strong-willed record. We spoke to Margolin and Stott about Clouds in the Sky They Will Always Be There for Me and what’s next:

We love the album. You asked yourself a question at the beginning of this process: how do you retain creativity without harming yourself in the process? Have you discovered the answer?

Dana: Writing songs never really feels like the start of a process, just an ongoing and never ending journey. I didn’t set out with that question in mind, but it slowly has become obvious to me that everything in life needs to be done to cause as little harm as possible. It should also be fun. Unfortunately in order to experience love you also need to be vulnerable to pain. So there are no answers, just be careful.

Georgie: This is a very interesting question! Not one I’ve asked myself - mainly because I am always these days looking back at my creative history and it seems to me I was more creatively prolific when I was more mentally ill and definitely harmed myself in the process…I think some of my best work came from that time, however although I glorify that time creatively, there’s no way I would go back. However when it comes to my position in porridge radio - I think that this album illustrates some of our best work. For me it’s a combination of an outpouring of emotions and a more refined way of writing. Refining the way in which we write together  and working together to support each other emotionally through the creative process I feel has reduced the capacity for harm. 

What did you learn about yourselves personally and as a band through the process of making this album?

Georgie: I learnt that it’s better out than in. When I’m feeling frustrated and lacking confidence it’s better to share that with the guys than let it come out in unproductive ways. As a band I feel like we have more trust in ourselves as musicians in terms of our playing skills.

Dana: I definitely agree with Georgie. Making this album also taught me that I can count on my friends and that I am very lucky. It taught me that life is for living.

Was there something that was particularly inspiring you throughout the creation of the album? 

Georgie: Our commitment to getting it to the best place possible before pre-production. And really pushing ourselves in all areas of song creation to get the best thing possible out of our time together.

Dana: I was inspired by falling in love and having my heart broken. I was also inspired by traveling constantly, seeing everything and finding beauty everywhere. Feeling overwhelmed with exhaustion and joy. I was inspired by the time I started crying in the van and I turned to Sam and asked what I was supposed to do and they just shrugged and said ‘create beauty and love’. So that’s what I try to do.

Is there a song that was perhaps especially challenging and is now one you are most proud of?

Georgie: For me that would be Anybody. I think it was the song I had the least confidence in because it wasn’t inspiring me as much in the room before recording. But now I think it’s definitely one of my top tracks! I love listening to it and think it’s a great opener, really sets the tone.

Dana: The songs I found challenging got booted off the album due to my strong and uncompromising convictions

You worked with Dom Monks on the record. How did he help to shape the sound of Porridge Radio?

Georgie: It was the first time we ever have done pre-production with a producer and it was really exciting to hear his perspective on the songs and hear him passionately advocate for changes and although he sometimes ran up against roadblocks, it was fascinating to me to watch the songs develop further with his influence. I think he fostered an environment where we could really trust him and he really pushed the best out of us. I would always think a wrong note or an out of time bit needed to be re-recorded but now working with Dom I feel way less scared of my ‘mistakes’ and more trusting that we can deliver a fantastic performance on record and live. It’s about the whole world of the song, not just the individual. 

Dana: He showed us how to be ourselves and to not worry about it. Dom shaped this album in every way and I’m eternally grateful to him for the ways he pushed us and was as passionate about this record as we were. He really saw us and what we were trying to do and without him I don’t know if we would have got there

It feels like from listening to the album you really learnt a lot about your own artistry during the making of the album. What advice would you give to other young artists after this experience?

Georgie: This ties into my last answer. Don’t worry about the little mistakes and for something to be perfect. Sometimes something can be played technically spot on but it will lack a vibe and it’s important to trust in the music :)

Dana: My advice is to follow your gut. Your intuition is the best guide. It should be fun and it can be fun. And nobody knows what you know about the thing you’re about to make. Be serious about it but don’t take it so seriously.

Who would be the ultimate Porridge Radio feat… what do you think it would sound like? 

Georgie: LCD Soundsystem ahaha - would sound huge! I think a lot of my simple synths parts and sounds are inspired by them and I think James Murphy has a bit of a story telling stream of consciousness to his lyrics that Dana could really play off, we could make a song which could be a back and forth between Dana and James and I would get to sing with Nancy the synth player, and that will be my dream!

Dana: Yeah ok, I’m down.

What is exciting you at the moment? Aside from music?

Georgie - Honestly it’s mental but I just got engaged to my partner! We’re both in music and so are most of our friends so we’re trying to plan a rocking wedding, literally! It won’t be for a while but yeah, that’s what’s exciting me!

Dana - I’m excited about whatever is coming next. I think it’s going to be good. 

For those who don’t yet know, why ‘Porridge Radio’?

Georgie: Why anything? Why 10 Magazine? But yeah, it was ages ago.

Dana: And more importantly why not 

What’s next? 

Georgie: Big big tour, lots on the horizon, it’s daunting to me but we’ve got this.

Dana: Life gets bigger. We will be touring all over the place and hopefully come to places we’ve never yet been. 

Listen to Porridge Radio HERE.

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