Matt Pinfield Speaks with The Cult About Latest Album "Under The Midnight Sun"

The Cult have been around for almost four decades and they are still creating incredible rock music.
Lead singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy joined Matt Pinfield for this episode of "New & Approved" to discuss what has been keeping them busy lately.
The Cult have just released their eleventh full-length studio album "Under The Midnight Sun," which they break down with Matt. The record consists of just eight well-made tracks because Astbury and Duffy heavily believe in "quality over quantity."
Astbury and Duffy also reveal some of their greatest inspirations since the 1970s. Some of the bands and musicians they credit to shaping their sound are Slade, David Bowie, Mott The Hoople, Free, New York Dolls, and Genesis. The early beginnings of punk rock especially inspired the two musicians as they were attending many wild punk shows as they were growing up.
We also learn about how Duffy and Astbury first met and decided to work in music together. Boy George actually was a major influence in making this happen. They also discuss their writing processes and how they create songs together.
Be sure to check out "Under The Midnight Sun" and find out what The Cult is up to on their website here: thecult.us/UTM...
#TheCult #IanAstbury #BillyDuffy #MattPinfield #NewAndApproved

[@ImAcoastpedder]

Been a big fan since the 80's. She Sells Sanctuary is one of my all time favorite songs. Took my 15 year old son on his birthday to see them at The Fillmore in New Orleans. He's been a fan for the last couple years. That was an AMAZING example of a proper rock concert. They absolutely threw down ! What an incredible father & son experience.

[@Thirdfish]

Been a fan since Southern Death Cult were formed in Bradford.

[@warborn_inc.]

Brilliant band. One of the few who keep evolving musically and can still deliver the good live as well.

[@kevinmiller1121]

Brilliant record - that solo in A Cut Inside Gives Me chills every time

[@KyOte13]

This new album is one of their best… an amazing conceptual piece of work.

[@nelsonventura7374]

UTMS is the best album of the year,a masterpiece! this is THE CULT!!!

[@matsfrommusic]

Incredible songwriters and performers, seen them 3 times live, fantastic band.

[@Gilboy63]

Love the mighty Cult. Seen them about 75 times in the UK.

[@arabellaaurora1762]

I was a fan from the 80s as well. I’m fascinated with them now 4 some reason.

[@paulleigh5351]

I love UTMS. One of their best

[@everdream24]

Fantastic interview. ⚡️CFFC!⚡️

[@-KYUSS-]

UTMS is an absolutely fantastic album.. Thank you Matt! CFFC!

[@michaelorleans5396]

Saw them back in the day when GnR opened for them..fantastique

[@JRStephens5005]

Billy is very chatty and gregarious. I like him. His mannerisms during the interview are terribly interesting. He fascinates me.

[@markm148]

Ian’s hiding from fans at the airports look is his 24/7 look now.

[@carlwalker1623]

Picking out songs live should always include at least 4 new songs and anniversary of older releases and change it up every year to give fans a reason to keep coming out.

[@stephenwolfram356]

The Cult can do whatever they want live.

[@RighteousBrother]

The new album is really, really strong. Well worth getting hold of. Slightly disagree with Billy about playing the hits, there's tons of tracks from their albums I'd love to hear them play live. I don't know how many more times I can hear She Sells Sanctuary!!

[@j_freed]

Yeah, and why don’t bands like this play a medley of some of their hits or expand on them instead of playing them so predictable and rote. These songs lend themselves to improvisation. Led Zeppelin did it. And medleys of other peoples hits!

[@hansg.8557]

Thank you so much for this great interview. Under the Midnight Sun is an outstanding album. It's my favorite album of 2022. And yes it's CINEMATIC. The song Impermanence is Primus inter Pares. Long live Th Cult.

[@ohsisterman]

Awesome album, Great interview. Thank You Matt. x

[@adrianpackett4220]

Keel Uni, I remember that joint, Kings all Stoke for TOH as will....lot of mushrooms back then......good times indeed!

[@eddie8532]

This interview is in stark contrast to the one Ian gave last week where he repeatedly threw Billy under the bus. Hopefully they can stay civil and on the same page so I can see them play again in 2023.

[@jamesashworth2050]

Where can that interview be found?

[@eddie8532]

@@jamesashworth2050 The Cult 2022: Ian Astbury about the new album "Under The Midnight Sun"@Rock Antenne

[@eddie8532]

@@jamesashworth2050 It's on KZbin. Just replied with the title.

[@jamesashworth2050]

Thanks I’ll give it a listen 👍

[@warborn_inc.]

Yeah....Ian was being a bit of a dick throughout that entire interview and honestly it seemed pretty weak of him to keep throwing shade at Billy through that entire interview. If there is personal friction between them...seems like the mature thing to do would he to handle them privately...not talk smack on some random KZbin interview. Gotta say that interview with Ian didnt exactly cast him in a good light in my opinion. Between his negative comments about Billy and his constant name dropping and almost humble bragging about all of the aŕtists he has known etc....just made him come across more pompous than Ive ever heard him...and The Cult have been my favorite band for 36 years. Still respect him..but dont think that interview was his finest moment

[@zacariasfangueiro4073]

13:48 Love when Billy says "Footballer" and not "soccer player" . Right on Mr. Duffy!!!😉👌

[@Vincent.Duquesne.]

Fan Forever & more if I can ✨

[@GoannaUK]

Great interview and so good to see you, Ian and Billy! Yes, it seems like 'now' is a bit like 'then', with (in the UK) the strikes, poverty, DiY aesthetic, lack of belief in any political party line, etc.... Can good music come out of identity politics? Thats' what i don't know or see...

[@cocktailhotel]

I like the 8-song set for this album. 8 is the number for infinity. I was also born on the 8th. Aside from that, look at Billy Idol, he puts out 4-song EP's now, in 21'and 22'. His last full-length studio album was 9 years ago. This may be the way to go in the future. Less can be more. And back to The Cult, their 2007 Born Into This and 2012's Choice Of Weapon albums had deluxe edition bonus discs that both absolutely kicked ass, much like the Black Sabbath 13 album where there were 8 songs on the main disc, but the bonus tracks disc just killed it too.

[@Imthatmofo]

Matt still gets nervous interviewing these famous bands " i think its cuz he is such a fanatic regardless of time he stays humble !" Just a cool dude Im a fan of you Matt" appreciate your work bro!🤘

[@savitri5886]

Love the new album👏👏👏........and your braids Ian😍

[@kevinmillergaragerock]

I had and long journey with these 2 fellas, but i gotta say..id love to see a set list live from Born into This, S/T 94, Choice of Weapon.. Id love to hear Wild Hearted Son live 2022.. And the track Dreamtime.. But the hits i get totally.. The fact they release new material will insure they are just nostagilia..✌️✌️

[@Mortslake]

Its a great album!

[@ryangettig274]

🍁🍂Nobody mentions Jamie Stewart who was right there with big Cult succeses?Like launching the whole Seatlle scene in 85?He was with them thru Ceremony?Nigel Preston?Chris Wyse??:)🍁🍂

[@ryangettig274]

That Boy George story is amazing!Midnight Sun has sizzle & breath...

[@TommyMacLuckie]

Jamie left in 1990.

[@keithdodge2254]

Wonderful interview #CFFC

[@SonnyCrockett22]

Great album. Vendetta X is one of the best songs they’ve ever recorded. 👍

[@carlwalker1623]

Just price it accordingly. Green Day put out 3 albums at the same time and that’s too much to digest or even want to invest money or time in, it becomes a chore. Great release guys

[@nelsonventura7374]

Who is green day?

[@jonesy2111]

Nice to see the Cult releasing a new album and I totally agree about keeping the albums shorter (many of the greatest albums were 35 /40 min tops- Black Sabbath,Van Halen etcn) kudos

[@jeremiasnovaisteodoro9809]

Perfect band 👏 👏 👏 👏 Perfect album

[@StickyColaBud]

Good interview Great band

[@josephq2228]

💚2022✨Amen pass the Word.... #MillenniumLanceAndTheOpenScroll 🌹 🎠🌈🌈💍🌈🌈🔥 Daniel 11-12 🎺Revelation 20-21 keeping the Faith 💜😎

[@elevatordan6082]

Bring back Jonesy!

[@ej_8888]

🖤🙏

[@carlwalker1623]

What’s the incognito cover up for Ian ?

[@RighteousBrother]

Ian Cognito if you will

[@anthonyv1719]

Thank God the album is not heavy metal slant - more melodic rock - and it turned out great.

[@clintonhall77]

Love this album! Where is Billy Duffy's signature sound? I would not recognize this as him playing. He has one of the most recognized guitar sound. Not on this album.

[@StickyColaBud]

Maybe they want to try new things and not sound and play exactly like they did 30 years ago

[@TommyMacLuckie]

It IS his signature sound! Mirror, Give Me Mercy, Cut, Impermanence: classic Billy, classic Cult. Their best LP.

[@Biffinnbridge]

Ricky Tomlinson has let himself go!

[@Pictman777]

Southrn death cult needs to return..............,...............................................................

[@Thirdfish]

It was supposed to happen but... it didn't cos Ian didn't want to do it.

[@obtainiumgaming4472]

Not that good of an album. 2 songs sound like The Cult. Disappointed big time. Coloursound II is way better.

[@TommyMacLuckie]

It’s an amazing album. It’s literally pure Cult.

[@antoniovargiu2.0]

Non è un grande album , le sonorità sono un po tornate al vecchio sound the cult ma non è un grande album , diciamo che è orecchiabile ma non mi fa Impazzire .