Spinnaker Interview 3.04.26

In the early Spring of 2026, I spoke to one of Brighton’s most interesting new band, the genre blending artists of ‘Spinnaker’. Recently formed in Brighton, Spinnaker has begun playing around with classic rock ‘n roll, indie rock and psych rock to create their sound. With a sold out debut gig at the Rossi Bar on the 7 of April and yet no music officially released, the only questions worth asking are: “who the hell are these guys?” and “how do you sell out a gig with nothing released?”. Well I spoke with the band to figure these out.

Allow me to set the scene: it’s a crisp April morning, I find myself in the bands living room, singer- Toby Statter- strolls in, sits

down next to guitarist- Charlie Shuttleworth- in a clearly comfortable fashion, while drummer- Joe Newell- with a bowl of

spaghetti in hand- sits next to bassist- Karl Precioso.

I begin talking with the band, Shuttleworth asks “Do you want my socks on or off?”, laughter erupts showcasing the friendliness

between the band members, the interview begins.

Who are your main influences?

T,S: “Ocean Alley”, alongside a mention of the band that Statter, Newell and Precioso are also apart of alongside Newell’s brother Laurie- Lady Ratz.

C.S: “Johnny Marr”

J.N: “Chad Smith”

K.P: “Andy Rourke from the Smiths, Charlie Salt from Blossoms”

T.S: “Can I give you another one... Laine Staley and Connor Mason from Nothing But Thieves”

Did you as a band struggle to all find common influences or a common sound you wanted for you music?

Immediately Statter answers “Yes.”

Newell counteracts with a “Highkey no.”

J.N: “The first conversation we had was outside Maccies where we were all just going ‘Oh do you fuck with intelligible noise’ and everyone was going ‘YEAH’”

T.S: “We did, all our songs sound different”

C.S: “I find a lot of common interests with Joe and probably like you (Toby) and me are probably 50/50”

T.S: “I think we all kind of like the same thing but what we all really like is different”

K.P: “I agree with that”

The band continue to discuss how they difer speaking a friendly debate ending on agreeing to disagree.

What is your writing process, is it more solo or collaborative?

T.S: “So I get the pencil in my right hand...” he jokes, followed by Newell’s “You will need pen and paper.”, the band join in

and an at ease vibe passes between us all.

C.S: “I say the majority starts with maybe some idea I have, I bring it to Toby and Toby develops on it.”

J.N: “One of those two (Shuttleworth and Statter) or both of them will come together with a chord progression or some lyrics or something and do that in practice then jam it and make it into something.”

C.S: “There maybe a handful of songs that me or Toby write just on our own.”

J.N: “And they’re horrible” Newell jokes.

I asked them how this process came about to which Shuttleworth responded “I didn't really like anyone else.” Newell addresses me directly “Put that in, you have to put that in.”

As the interview progresses it becomes clear how close this band truly is, is this the key to success? Statter states how it is nothing to do with the music for them and they really are just best mates, Shuttleworth argues it is a bit to do with the music, genre similarities are important.

Did this way of writing just naturally form?

J.N: “Yeah, yes it did.”

Who would each of you most like to work with, as an opening act and as a featuring artist?

T.S: “I’m gonna go with Beethoven.” He jests.

J.N: “Imagine Johann Bach and Spinnaker.”

T.S: “... a realistic goal who I most want to support for... Pacific Avenue.”

J.N: “That is a really good shout.”

C.S: “I think a realistic support for us could be like The Last Dinner Party.” The band nod in agreement.

J.N: “I’d love to drum for Wet Leg, they make really good f**** tunes, it' quite simple but really effective... they did a really good cover of one of my favourite punk songs.”

T.S: “Highkey Charlie Puth, I’d love to sing for Charlie Puth.”

C.S: “I’d love to session on Noel Gallaghers solo work.”

J.N: “We’d be a great opener for the Hives because the stage vibe is like hella up and we’re sort of chiller

than them to bring the vibes up.” Newell gets up to go to their kitchen across the room.

J.N: “Can you put ‘Joe cheese on spag’ in the interview.”

“As an ode to the band, I will.” I respond, while Newell puts cheese on his dinner.

Can you explain your favourite song you’ve written both instrumentally and lyrically?

K.P: “Mines Forgive Me.”

C.S: “Yeah I’d say Forgive Me.”

T.S: “I think Forgive Me is the most fun to play.”

J.N: “I was gonna say Get Lost in My Mind is the funnest for me to play.”

T.S: “Get Lost In My Mind is my favourite song I've written lyrically, cause it embodied feeling good about shit... like all the music I like is feel good music and I finally managed to write a wholesome feel good love song, which I’m quite proud of.”

C.S: “I like Forgive Me because the chords are... dorian and I kind of like the sound it and I wrote some of the words which remind me of (his partner).”

K.P: “Romantical (referring to Shuttleworth’s sentiments), even though in terms of performance Get Lost In My Mind is the most fun for me... I can move around doing that.”

C.S: “I also like the solo.”

J.N: “I actually completely agree... Forgive Me is funner to play, but on stage Get Lost In My Mind is a tune.”

Who is the most difficult to work with in each sector of your band?

J.N: “Karl is the best to work with” backed by Statter, Newell continues

“(Karl) in recording, in performing, in practice, in being in the same room with.”

C.S: “I’ve never written with anyone quite like Toby... it doesn't feel like anything is even happening, but it is.”

J.N: “Working with Charlie is great, expect in the last 5 minutes of practice when he’s supposed to be packing up... and Toby’s a bitch.”

T.S: “Joe and Charlie are like dialled in with making stuff happen behind the scenes with shows, merch, social media.”

C.S: “I think Toby is...”

T.S: “A perfectionist”

C.S: “Yeah.”

T.S: “I struggle to communicate my ideas.”

J.N: “You’re often right, but you need to

work on your delivery.” He mentions.

C.S: “I wouldn’t say anyone is particularly hard to work with.”

With the final question concluded, I refer back to my hypothesis, is friendship the key to a good band? In the case of Brighton band Spinnaker- yes!