We first came across Tennis back in June and immediately felt an urgency to post their track 'South Carolina' as soon as possible. We discovered that the inspiration for their latest 7" track's, aswell as SC, were down to a prolonged sailing trip. Now they have gone on to release that 7" with the three inspired tracks, 'Baltimore', 'Marathon' and 'Cape Dory' which have all featured on 1FTP. Last week we had the privilege of a brief interview with Patrick and Alaina from the band and this is what came of it:


(1FTP) We have heard bits and pieces here and there about yourselves...but for the record......Tennis are?

(Tennis) When we are touring, Tennis is Alaina Moore, Patrick Riley, and Reed Mckinny. All of our current recordings have been done by just the two of us but we do plan on adding Reed in for the upcoming Lp.


(1FTP) There seems to be a fair amount of hype building up (Online,) obviously not "over-hype", but is it a worry it can get that way?

(Tennis) I don't know, I'm sure some people already think we are over-hyped. Apparently there is a delicate balance between hype and over-hype but I don't think we have any control over that so it's not worth worrying about. I think the best thing we can do is be clear about what motivates us, and do our best to live up to our own expectations.


(1FTP) Where would you like Underwater Peoples to take you off the back of your recent 7"? We have heard thing's about an LP, is there any truth?


(Patrick) Certainly a lot of truth in the LP, we are planning on recording it this September and a release date of, fingers crossed, early 2011.

(Alaina) We had nothing in mind when we started working with Underwater Peoples. We are so privileged to work with them and are truly enjoying the whole experience. If it wasn't for their interest and support I don't think we would be doing this at all.


(1FTP) Musically who did you look up to as kids, I imagine this answer will be fairly varied.

(Alaina) I was only allowed to listen to Christian rock and musicals growing up.

(Patrick) I listened to a good variety growing up from Todd Rundgren to Xiu Xiu to The Walkmen. But the most influential and life-changing was certainly Grandaddy. If you've ever wanted to throw your cell phone off of a building and live in the woods for a while, Grandaddy will convince you to do so. I guess in our case it was sailing though....


"I'm sure some people already think we are over-hyped. Apparently there is a delicate balance between hype and over-hype but I don't think we have any control over that so it's not worth worrying about" - Alaina Moore, TENNIS



(1FTP) Any plans for some more travelling? and if so, depending on the place, do you see it changing your musical style or will we be hearing more of this lo-fi TENNIS lusciousness?

(Tennis) We are planning on another prolonged sailing trip as soon as possible. It's been more than a year now and we miss it. I'm sure we'll end up somewhere tropical and it will undoubtedly influence the music we write in the future. We hope our sound changes the more we write, I think it's healthy to evolve but we won't force anything.


(1FTP) 'South Carolina' is a personal favourite of ours, what is the story behind the song?


(Alaina) That's great! South Carolina was always my favorite and I was surprised at how much more popular our song 'Marathon' has become. We spent over a month sailing along the Carolina waterways, and I was completely taken by the natural beauty. Also, my relationship with Patrick went through a unique change after making it through some storms and tough passages in South Carolina. The lyrics are all about my being enchanted with the Carolina landscape and the way it made me see Patrick in a new way.



(1FTP) What are you currently listening to?

(Alaina) I'm listening to Wild Nothing - 'Gemini' all the time

(Patrick) Some Sleep Over mixed with Dent May


(1FTP) Fill in the blanks for us.....



(Tennis) TENNIS are experience-rock mixed with some jam with a little bit of food allergies thrown in.


(1FTP) Finally. Tennis Recommends:


(Tennis) Grandaddy. It is never too late to go through a Grandaddy phase if you haven't already.


We would like to thank Patrick and Alaina for taking the time to speak with us and also to the people at Underwater Peoples for their hard work, especially Evan Brody. Personally we are now looking forward to the LP with great excitement, here is the two tracks 'Baltimore' and 'Marathon', to catch the new video for 'Cape Dory' go here. and to purchase the new 7" you can find it here. Enjoy...