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Talk to me about how the band originally formed? We all went to college together. I personally didn't want to go to university. We were all in a few different bands originally before forming Mint. There were some formation changes early on, but we have it nailed now. All roads lead to this. Where did the name Mint come from? It was a joke, we spent ages trying to think of a cool witty name. I've always had thoughts about it, it was my favourite colour, and then after thinking for ages we went for Mint. I guess all names can be naff until you accept it fully as your name. The name just snowballed into the band. Elise reached over 200,000 plays lately, how did that go down as a New Years present? It was good timing. We feel like every band tends to say 'this year is our year', to say it and mean it gives us a kick up the arse! The 200,000 plays really opened a few doors, some people wouldn't necessarily work with us before, yet they saw that and sort of reconsidered. The rise in plays has enabled a lot, we recently got an endorsement with Black Star lately which is cool, it's something we are really grateful for. How has your music developed? At the start we were doing what is current. After a while we realised and decided not to be like anything, thinking 'Lets do what we think is cool'. We stopped caring about what others thought and didn't give ourselves any rules. We don't think we are very linear which is great as we don't want to limit ourselves like others can. We aren't afraid to say, yes we sounded like this but now it's different. We've never sat and thought what band are we going to be. It's always been organic. You just made a very colourful video, how did the direction of the video come about? Fun. We just wanted it to be a load of fun. We think Elise is always going to be trademarked as our pop song as it's probably as poppy we will ever go, it's really bouncy and synthy and easy to listen to. We went into the studio with the intention of making that song the most happiest we would write. I don't think we wanted the video to be any different. In a way we wanted it to possibly be sarcastically poppy. We were all in white and pink with lots of paint. We had a director called Alex Phelps who is incredible. Initially it was like a game of ping pong when thinking of ideas. Then this was the end result. You should have seen the showers after that powder paint. It was a huge mess! You've recently featured in a lot of playlists including BBC's Spotify, what did that mean to you in terms of progression? We will find out, although we think we already have slightly. We may just be splitting hairs, but you could be the best band out there, but because people can be sheepish, if you aren't in Clash magazine or on Indie lists and doing that kind of thing, they won't give you a chance. I think after the Indie list and EP's coming out we realised that we are more than just a local band. It's like an identity. What are you main influences? Day dreaming is probably one. Feelings. Alex Turners words. We aren't very picky in what we listen to, as each would be worlds apart, but I guess the we like quality and intelligence. Is there another band out there you would love to collaborate with? If it was a pre written song it would be Bieber or Beyonce. We would go completely to town. If it was writing something new it would be with someone we are friends with like Judas. There's a load of bands at the moment who really don't get enough credit. Tell me about you upcoming tour. It's going to be lit! This tour feels different to the last. People are coming from all areas which is mad. Before we went out and just played, however this time we have to go out and be a bit more of a show as there are people from everywhere. What are each of you like on tour? Sam our drummer, is either lending money out or not eating food. Andy always gets lost. And us two (Zac and Adam) would be relaxing and being rubbish with money. The first hour and a half we will be saying 'drinks on me' then we will be in some bar or café and I'll have about £2.87 left and 7 days of tour left. If you could pick a door to open which would lead to something good, what would you pick? Festivals, a main stage would be cool. Or a Live Lounge. I sit down with Mint at the Hawley Arms in Camden. The four piece band, Zac, Adam, Sam and Andy, originating from Grimsby have been on my radar for several months. After hearing of their electric sets and well pieced songs. With their constant rising views on Spotify and already sterling "IF YOU AREN'T IN CLASH MAGAZINE OR ON INDIE LISTS AND DOING THAT KIND OF THING, THEY WON'T GIVE YOU A CHANCE." Follow @wearejustmint 2017 / ISSUE 97 INDIE 47 Alice Gee | Guestlist