(EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW) AFTERDRIVE: “ We feel there’s a real gap in the music market for a band like us.”
AFTERDRIVE are back with their brand new single “Necklace”, and it’s well worth a listen. It's a noticeable shift in sound from earlier releases such as “Valet” and “What She Needs”, but that's what makes this band stand out. Their journey hasn’t been without its moments. Unexpectedly being made a headliner after the main act pulled out of the show. No big deal, right? However, the pressure was already there, as it was vocalist Ben’s first time singing live.
But experiences like that, are what shapes a band's confidence. That paid off big time when they supported global superstar Ed Sheeran on his recent tour, and it being that extra special taking place in their hometown of Ipswich. A beautiful full circle moment, cementing that this is what was meant to be for them,as they state, “We honestly believe AFTERDRIVE has what it takes to become a worldwide name.”
We talk to lead singer Ben to chat about the bands journey so far, supporting Ed Sheeran, and their latest single, “Necklace”, now available on all streaming platforms.
SpinVybe: Your new single “Necklace” is out now, and it feels like a bit of a shift for you. It’s really anthemic but still quite intimate. What made you want to go in that direction?
Afterdrive: Our sound has always leaned towards anthemic, catchy choruses, memorable lyrics, and creative riffs. Necklace still captures all of that, but in a slightly different light. This time, it focuses more on connection rather than loss – which is a theme that runs through some of our previous songs like Stick Around and What She Needs. We wanted to create something that feels intimate and filled with passion – a song you could make love to, rather than one for when love feels out of reach.
SV: The Tracks “Valet” and “What She Needs” came out this year and really showed different sides of your sound. Do you like to switch things up intentionally, or does that just happen as part of your process?
AD: We love to keep things fresh and exciting, and we’re always looking to push our sound in new directions, but never so far that you wouldn’t recognise it as AFTERDRIVE. Both “Valet” and “What She Needs” stand on their own within our catalogue; they’re different in feel but still carry those signature AFTERDRIVE elements that make them uniquely us.
It’s been amazing to see both tracks become fan favourites, especially hearing the same people say they love them both. It feels like we’re doing something right.
SV: Starting from early jam sessions quickly became what we know as Afterdrive today. What made you want to go beyond casual jamming and to become a full band who records and performs?
AD: The moment we shut that rehearsal room door, turned on the amps, and cranked up the mics, there was no going back. It might sound cliché, but I genuinely believe we were meant to do this, and we’re not stopping any time soon. The chemistry was instant, and the potential felt limitless. We honestly believe AFTERDRIVE has what it takes to become a worldwide name.
SV: I read that you were suddenly thrust into headlining at The Smokehouse in Ipswich after the main act pulled out. Looking back, did that experience help build your confidence faster and shape the band you are today?
AD: Absolutely, that experience definitely threw us in at the deep end. As nerve-racking as it was, we had to show up on our A-game. People still mention that night and say how shocked they were that we’d only just started. It really set the tone for what AFTERDRIVE could be.
It was actually the first time I’d ever sung live, and the nights leading up to it were agony – I was so nervous but so excited that I could barely sit still. But from that moment on, every performance got easier and more natural. I still deal with some nerves before going on stage – I think that’ll always be there – but now I can confidently say I lead AFTERDRIVE as a great frontman.
SV: When writing new songs, do you now think more about how they'll work on stage?
AD: Yes and no. All our songs, recorded or live, have the same core: guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. That’s what makes them work on stage no matter what. Sure, we layer in synths or extra elements sometimes, but at heart it’s the four of us doing what we do best. We can play them stripped back acoustically or full-on with all the rigs, and they always hit. That versatility is what makes AFTERDRIVE such a strong live band.
SV: Having only been around for a few years, how much do you think social media, especially Instagram and TikTok, has helped you connect with new fans?
AD: From our experience, it’s all about balance. I’ve seen plenty of artists find success online but get so focused on social media that other areas like songwriting or performing live get left behind, and eventually they burn out or lose momentum.
For us, social media has definitely helped us find new fans, but in a natural way rather than forcing it. We’ve always tried to keep it real and original, without creating a false image. We’re still learning, because platforms are always changing, and it’s tricky to know what works and what doesn’t. The key for us has been to stay consistent and actually enjoy it; otherwise, it can be a really toxic environment, especially with how saturated it is.
SV: As an independent band from Ipswich, what for you is key to keeping your sound unique to you without compromising yourself in a fast-paced industry?
AD: We feel there’s a real gap in the music market for a band like us. We mix modern elements with rock, live energy, and a strong visual identity, which is why we recently teamed up with Halestorm Management to take us to the next level. We always make sure to retain our creative identity and keep our sound true to who we are.
SV: You recently got to support Ed Sheeran at his Ipswich show, which must have felt like a massive achievement. What did you do to combat the nerves of performing not only for a big crowd but for a big artist too, or was it just running on pure adrenaline?
AD: I wish I could tell you exactly how we did it! Looking back, it was the most surreal moment. The week leading up was a mix of nerves and adrenaline, and the day itself went by in a heartbeat.
What really helped was making sure we were well-prepared. We practised enough to feel confident, but not so much that we overthought everything. Still, there’s really no way to be fully ready to walk out in front of a crowd like that supporting one of the biggest singer-songwriters in history and doing it in our hometown!
Honestly, it was the best day we’ve ever had as a band. I also want to give a huge thanks to Ed and his team for giving us that incredible opportunity.
SV: You’ve supported The K’s and made your summer festival debuts. Those sorts of shows must be an incredible learning experience for any band. What lessons did you take away from those shows to apply for the future?
AD: Big shoutout to The K’s; they’re really nice guys and an amazing band. Supporting them in Norwich was a huge achievement for us. They have such a strong, loyal fanbase, which is exactly where we’d like to be in the next few years, so it was really inspiring to see what that could look like for us. The energy and sound on the night were incredible, and we got great feedback from everyone, so it was a perfect experience all around.
SV: For those who caught you at these shows and are new fans of you, what song would be the one that you all think defines AFTERDRIVE’s vibe?
AD: It’s a tough one, but we’d have to go with “Cars.” It always goes down so well live, and it’s such a massive song that I think it can really hold its own alongside so many big hits.
As the frontman, I probably notice it more than Luke, Joe, or our bassist Ed, because my eyes are on the audience, but seeing the crowd really connect with it every time makes me perform it even better.
SV: Having risen quickly and landed on big stages, does that fuel your motivation with how you go into creating new music?
AD: Without a doubt, playing on big stages like that just makes us want to record and release more. We want to give our fans plenty to enjoy, and for anyone discovering us for the first time, we want to make the best possible impression. Those gigs are an amazing way to reach new people, and it really drives us to make sure every track hits hard.
SV: 2026 sees you start strong with your first headline show at The Waterfront Studio in Norwich. What can fans expect?
AD: Fans can expect new songs that have never been heard before, killer outfits, and a night that everyone’s going to enjoy. And of course, everyone’s welcome; just make sure you bring some sort of ear protection, because it’s going to be loud! It’s going to be a great night.
SV: Looking ahead, are there any specific goals you would love to achieve?
AD: 2026 is going to be a huge year for us; we’re releasing our debut EP, which is packed with brand new material. It’s a massive step for us because we’ve always wanted to put out a full project, and we feel like this is the perfect time in our career to make that move.
Right now, we’re in the recording stage, working with producer and mix engineer Thomas Mitchener, who mixed Necklace for us. He’s insanely talented and has really brought a new energy and level to our sound. The tracks we’ve recorded so far already sound incredible, and we honestly can’t wait to share them with everyone. I’ve got really high hopes for this EP.
Written and Interviewed by Kirsty Bright
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