We Sat Down To Chat With The Eclectic British Electronic Post-Hardcore Band Ahead of their Incredible Rockville Set – Interview with Vocalist Rou Reynolds and Drummer Rob Rolfe of Enter Shikari

We were thrilled to talk with Rob Rolfe and Rou Reynolds from the dynamic multi-genre British band Enter Shikari, renowned for their electrifying blend of post-hardcore, electronic, and punk rock elements ahead of their amazing performance at Welcome to Rockville this past Sunday. With their fearless approach to music and a reputation for thought-provoking lyrics and explosive live performances, Enter Shikari has carved a unique niche in the music world. As they gear up for their upcoming world tour (which will be stopping by The Beacham in Orlando on October 12th) and upcoming “Dancing on the Frontlines” album, Rob and Rou join us for a chat.

Enter Shikari – taken by Paul Harries:

Gleb: Hi guys. My name’s Gleb. Nice to meet you guys.

Rou: Nice to meet you.

Rob: Nice to meet you.

Gleb: So I’ve actually been a big fan of you guys for a long time. Back in, I want to say 2013, you guys came to a small club down in South Florida and you guys absolutely killed it, you did a great show. And ever since then, I’ve been an instant fan. I didn’t really know who you guys were until then, and then it was one of those things where you see a band and you immediately get into it.

Rob: Im glad you came to that show!

Gleb: That brings me to my first question: One of the best things about festivals is kind of finding out, you know, new bands and exploring new stuff that you really don’t know. So, for someone that has never heard of you guys. Well, how would you describe your style, or your sound in your own words?

Rou: Oh Gleb, That’s not our job, that’s your job! *laughs* Because it’s a very difficult thing to do.

Rob: But if I’m like, sat on a plane and you just happen to get into conversation with the with the old lady next to you, and she asks “What’s your music like?” It’s kind of, like, Heavy rock with a lot of electronic influence in it. But then there are also lighter bits. And then there are also every kind of genre that you can imagine bits, but I think that as a general basis, its rock on the heavier side. Melodic heavy Rock with a lot of electronic influence.

Gleb:  You guys just released your most recent album. Do you have any plans to do like a headlining tour or anything like that in the US to support it?

Rou: Oh Yeah, We’re coming back in October. A full, well, I would say full US tour, but we’re not doing this area as we’ve just done it now. But yeah, with You Me At Six who have been friends with for years. It’s actually their last tour of America, so it’ll be a big kind of emotional celebration for them. And yeah, it’s bigger rooms than we’ve ever done, so we’re really excited to hopefully bring some of the production that Europe gets finally over to America because it’s always been a lot smaller for us here, but hopefully things are starting to build.

Gleb: Speaking of venues, America is renowned for having some pretty interesting venues, we have Red Rocks and The Caverns and stuff like that…

Rob: Never played that one.

Gleb: I was just about to ask: Is there any venue here that you have really been looking forward to playing?

Rob: We’ve got friends in the touring world that’ll post photos of them at the the Red Rocks venue, and I’m like “Oh that looks gorgeous!” And we’d love to play there, but the thing is, I’m not sure is very suitable for us because it’s all seated, isn’t it? It’s like raised seating isn’t it?

Gleb: Yeah, its raised seating, but it’s like general admission. So it’s kind of first come, first serve and it’s a little hectic sometimes.

Rob: But it’s not like you could have one big space for a moshpit, right?

Gleb: No, there’s no pit there unfortunately.

Rob: Yeah, so I’m not sure we could play one of our normal shows…although we could put together all of our more melodic and softer, nicer songs that you can sit down and enjoy while sitting, perhaps…

Rou: There’s lots of places we’d still love to play that we’ve never been to before, not just in the states. Like Central, South America. We’ve never been there. I’d love to go to India. Like I know India’s got a very big rock scene out there.

Rob: We would love to go back to Ukraine and fingers crossed, we will soon.

Gleb: Yeah, me too *laughs* So, Welcome to Rockville has an absolutely packed lineup this year. Is there anybody that you guys are excited about seeing while you’re here?

Rou: I still haven’t even looked in the lineup *laughs* Well we’re sharing a dressing room with Bob Villain today. And I think I think I’ve only seen him once live, so yeah that’s that’s going to be great to see them out here. Um, who else is playing? Who’s headlining tonight?

Gleb: Slipknot, I believe.

Rou: Oh well, Yeah. I mean that’ll be it. That’s always fun.

Rob: There’s also our Northern mates, While She Sleeps, as well as Architects

Rou: We’re just basically naming all the Brits *laughs*

Gleb: Yeah, It’s the British day today *laughs* Speaking of which, coming over from the UK, I’m sure you’ve seen quite a bit of a difference between, you know, cultures and things people do. What’s the biggest culture shock that you guys have gotten touring in the US?

Rou: The one I disliked the most is like, the “town planning” or whatever it’s called. Like yesterday for instance, we were at this hotel, and there was like this beautiful country park, you know, like a Nature Reserve thing by a river that I wanted to have a run around. But to get there, I had to walk like a mile, and it was just roads with no sidewalks whatsoever. So, it’s just like, if you’re a pedestrian, you’re fucked. Yeah, basically, it’s just cars EVERYWHERE.

Gleb: Yeah in Florida, if you don’t own a car you’re kind of screwed, we’re not very pedestrian friendly here, unfortunately *laughs* Is there any food in America that you like to try that you don’t really get to eat over in the UK?

Rou: Yeah, I mean, there’s always loads of good food, isn’t there?

Rob: Mexican food! *laughs* My wife is Tex-Mex, She grew up in Texas but half her family are Mexican. So over the 10 years I’ve known her, She’s shown me all the wonderful culinary offerings Texas has to offer in particular and all the Mexican influences coming up across the border into Texas. So I very much enjoy that. Cajun food is also fantastic, I love some Louisiana gumbo, that’s good stuff.

Gleb: Your fans really seem to enjoy your collaborations with artists like Pendulum, AViVA and Wargasm. Do you have any more collaborations in the books for the future?

Rou: Not at the moment, no.

Rob: But we’re always open to it!

Rou: We’re working on some tracks at the moment, but they’re just just Enter Shikari.

Gleb: Well, thank you guys very much for speaking with me! I appreciate your time. Hope you guys have an awesome show and I’ll see you there!

Rou: Yeah, thank you!

Enter Shikari’s Upcoming Album “Dancing on the Frontline”

Make sure to check out Enter Shikari’s most recent album “A Kiss for the Whole World” and its upcoming companion album “Dancing on the Frontline” which can both be found HERE. Also, be sure to take a look at the band’s upcoming tour dates HERE, and do yourself a favor and attend one of their incredible live shows if they come to a city near you! (For Florida fans, that will be at the Beacham on October 12 in Orlando)