Confidence Man Discuss Their Energetic and Sweaty New Album

It’s 9am in San Francisco, and Confidence Man is experiencing some creative tension. “Sugar wants to do a pantomime horse, but there’s no way to do that in a hot way,” says frontwoman Janet Planet, animated and fresh from the shower, as she contemplates the band’s next chaotic live performance. Sugar Bones lounges on the hotel bed, contemplating laser effects that won’t harm the audience.

A Confidence Man show is a blend of school play theatrics and rave energy. The Australian quartet, formed in 2016 from various indie projects, create pop tunes in a state of euphoric creativity. The infectious fun of their live shows gains them new fans at every festival, even converting the most cynical music critics with their sugary Eurodance beats and eccentric performances. Bones and Planet, often adorned in extravagant costumes, like Madonna-style cone bras, are seasoned party-starters who know how to engage their audience.

Their stage performances feature synchronized dance moves that are both nerdy and seductive. Planet and Bones themselves choreograph most of these routines, always pushing their limits. Earlier this year, they even sought help from one of Beyoncé’s choreographers to refine their moves, though the session ended humorously when they decided to stick to their unique style.

Supporting the two frontpeople are producer Reggie Goodchild and the enigmatic Clarence McGuffie. Always donning dark beekeeper veils, they remain a mysterious presence behind the drums and decks, allowing Planet and Bones to command the spotlight. Confidence Man’s reputation has grown through word of mouth, culminating in fans attending Glastonbury decked out in tribute costumes.

The success of their 2023 hit “Now U Do,” created with DJ Seinfeld, propelled the group toward their upcoming third album, titled “3am (La La La).” This album feels like a wild Uber ride through the night, capturing the essence of 90s rave optimism mixed with a gritty warehouse party vibe. Bones and Planet draw inspiration from their new life in East London, a place known for its vibrant yet grungy nightlife. The album artwork, featuring surreal elements like a burning helicopter, mirrors this dichotomy.

Written during the wee hours while the band was intoxicated in their Dalston studio, their music reflects the atmosphere they indulge in. Planet believes that being a party band requires creating music in the same energetic environment they thrive in. Bones concurs, emphasizing their identity as a party-centric group.

This vibrant energy seeps through “3am (La La La),” a contrast to their brighter, lighter 2022 album “Tilt.” Planet’s vocals dance playfully over dynamic synths and relentless beats. Tracks like “Janet” have her and Bones trading lines reminiscent of late-night conversations, while the orchestral elements evoke the chaos of searching for friends in a crowded venue. The lead single, “I Can’t Lose You,” epitomizes late-summer Eurodance with explosive hooks and twilight melodies.

As summer fades, Confidence Man is gearing up for an autumn filled with afterparties, possibly featuring robotics when they tour in November. Bones jokes about their tendency to spend all their earnings on making their shows unforgettable, even attempting to shower their audience with cash like their idols, the KLF. Although that particular idea was vetoed, their commitment to providing an extraordinary experience remains unshaken.

Bones highlights Janet’s unwavering dedication to bringing the party to life, recalling countless occasions where she physically dragged people onto the dance floor. Janet beams, reveling in the fact that she now gets paid to do what she loves.

3am (La La La) will be released via Chaos/Polydor/I Oh You on 18 October.

Source: Guardian