Do you know what it’s like to lick all the stars in the sky? Do you ever drown in the goop? I can’t comment on either of these experiences but the closest you can get is through the means of experimental indie-electronic band Static Caravan. But the music definitely isn’t goop. Absorb Everything (2026) is a celebration of the five-piece. It encapsulates the band’s alignment with each other as long-time friends and musicians. The E.P. comes three years after their previous work, marking a transition from bedroom experiments to a more studio first production. The tracks combine expressive pop music with fast-paced post-punk gloom to bring a healing microscopic world to life. 

The E.P. opens with lead single ‘Rhizome.’ The track is introduced with ethereal pipe organs before a fun melody of guitar and drums join in. ‘Rhizome’ already felt like it could be used in a plethora of different film scenes like car journeys, that classic cut scene where a character tries to better themselves, or to even serve as a conclusive backing track. Keys and pipe organ musician Mia Windsor sung and wrote this track with a thickened voice that stands out against a super groovy bassline from Matt Purbrick. From listening I also noticed the E.P. title nestled within the lyrics. The final chorus ending with a high note from Mia before collapsing into a more distorted outro to round up the track nicely.

‘Empty Ginnels’ was a standout for me with a title nod to Yorkshire slang for narrow alleyways and paths. Vocalist and guitarist Jack O’Connor took on the main singing role for this one backed by another funky bassline. The attack of synths, and hardcore rapid drumbeats with more sinister guitars grab your attention before launching into gliding instrumentals. There’s no defined chorus in this track which makes for an interesting change up showing the band’s ability not to be formulaic and make a flowing track between verses and instrumentals.

‘Blurry Eyes’ really took me by surprise given the calming nature of the previous two tracks. It was time to drop into a Trainspotting scene or into a random rave. This is a short and sweet track which I could only wish they had made longer. Hardcore acidic synths drip through vocals reminiscent of Karl Hyde with a consistent pounding beat from Tom Carroll to carry the track. This track showed just how diverse Static Caravan can be musically with such different instrumental styles across tracks but complimenting together. The flow between Windsor and O’Connor’s vocals brought the track to a natural end despite its themes of chaos.

‘Meatbag’ followed the calmer nature of earlier tracks. The spoken nature of this track really commanded the rhythms and tempos throughout. This final one was written by Purbrick so of course that accompanied a pulsating bassline. This track felt like a whole story in itself to close out the E.P. with different journeys with the instruments all occurring simultaneously. You never knew which to follow as the song progressed and that was the exciting nature. Glowing guitars from Tom Owen and Windsor’s magical keys danced together to bring down the walls of sound in a decisive conclusion, slowly fading out like the end of a dream.

Absorb Everything has been a landmark for Static Caravan with that transition from bedroom pop recordings to the capturing of their live approach and a focus on the studio style. The band members approach the music in different ways with Windsor taking on the academic music role with hints of classical Julian Baker and Pavement. O’Connor compiles sentences that he mangles later down the line to fitthe general theme of what he wants to write about. Imagine just getting to read through that raw document of thoughts and ideas.

Windsor, O’Connor and Purbrick met at uni, being educated in the niches of music with Purbrick commenting “it was really good to be educated by someone who actually knew about music like that.” The “two Toms” of the band had an enjoyment for experimental pop music and brought a new appreciation and enthusiasm of music as well as a joint love for Union Music Library (UML) with Purbrick and O’Connor describing themselves as a UML band. Shout out UML for bringing such a wonderful collective of finalised individuals together!

Static Caravan emerged from an obsession with the word “static” and after drawing up a long list of names, one big vote decided Static Caravan was the one after an initial doubt that this name was too good to use. I for one, think it’s an iconic name. It sets a clear vision and leaves no room for questioning as to what it may be. 

Their latest E.P. has been a year long effort with a split in songwriting between Windsor, O’Connor and Purbrick to tell their own stories across the E.P. Absorb Everything was born from the band playing the tracks live in a room as if it were a gig, the band took on the idea of less is more which certainly worked given the calibre of each track they played. The E.P. exhibited more complexity and maturity. With ‘Empty Ginnels’ being a particular highlight, it was very exciting to delve into this track. O’Connor revealed the track was inspired by ‘Let’s Stay Together’ by Al Green and drummer Carroll taking the opportunity to play as hard and as fast as he could to bring the track to life. Purbrick remarked that Windsor “brings a lot of gusto with the contact mic in her mouth and creates a real plot that evokes questions from a lot of people.”

From speaking with Jack O’Connor and Matt Purbrick, it was really interesting to see that O’Connor often listens to music he doesn’t know if he’s going to like or not, he’s always looking for something new. “It’s hard for us to describe who we sound like because there’s so many influences.” This includes Swedish hip hop, and American guitar music across the decades but the fabulous four of the Beatles and Pavement anchors the plethora of music tastes that creates the storm of Static Caravan. 

Like all bands forming before the dreaded Covid era, Static Caravan had to navigate lockdowns, 2 metre rules and the suspension of “nonessential” music spaces. The band had to finish the rest of their degrees, but the lockdowns provided the members with the opportunity to build banks of material that they were all excited about and they welcomed playing gigs again with open arms as fans came in flocks through the doors desperate for that taste of live music again. 

With such a variety of music tastes decorating these 5 individuals, how do they pinpoint their dream support slot and dream venue? Geese would’ve been a dream and a very topical choice at that, O’Connor highlighted The Cribs as his “longest running favourite band” and with them being from down the road in Wakefield and him seeing them plenty of times, it would be his personal dream. Purbrick highlighted local venues as his favourites to play such as Wharf Chambers and Mabgate Bleach as the “joy comes from the cosy feel or the party you can play to.” 

Sticking to the theme of topical artists, Static Caravan earned themselves a pretty iconic support slot with Manchester rockers Westside Cowboy. These two bands already had an established relationship from the days of Cowboy’s ‘DieKaiDie’ days where they played together in Huddersfield. They were aggy and hungry for the stage but were always nice to be around both in the DieKaiDie days and Westside Cowboy era. O’Connor and Purbrick commended them for their success and how much they deserved it. And did you know, they love to share a huge falafel rider of all things, and they all just stand in the shower rooms together to do vocal warm ups. Not what I would’ve expected at all. Purbrick also made the call for Westside Cowboy to win the Mercury Prize in 2027 so keep your eyes peeled for that prediction!

Words by Ruby Macklin – @rubymacklin