In conversation: Deco

Deco return with Dreamhouse, the serotonin-soaked title track and first single from their forthcoming second album: a confident, uplifting statement that introduces a bold new chapter for the Nottingham-born five-piece. Blending euphoric synth-pop with indie sensibility, Dreamhouse sets out the band’s vision of escapism and optimism, pairing infectious hooks with a fully realised creative world. We caught up with them to learn a little more.

If the Dreamhouse had actual rooms, what would each band member claim as “their” room and why?

Max would mark his territory in the kitchen; he's fast become the band chef and barista. The living room would be Lucy's – she's a sucker for the sofa & questionable TV shows. JD would probably build himself a games room and never leave. You'll find Tom in the sauna; there isn't a day that goes by where Tom doesn't somehow slip saunas into a conversation.

You describe Dreamhouse as escapism — what’s the weirdest or most random thing currently in your own personal escape fantasy?

Having Rick Stein as a personal chef & storyteller – that would be ideal.

Since you’re the “hosts” of the Dreamhouse, what’s the one house rule every guest has to follow?

No watching the news. That is not allowed in the Dreamhouse.

The track is built around a vintage Roland Juno-6 — if that synth could talk, what do you think it would say about the recording sessions?

It would probably say, "You need to practise your keys work, mate." - Followed by, "Give us a break..." – pretty much every sound on this track is from the Juno... so it was a real workhorse on this song in particular & the rest of the album. I do think it would feel very loved, though – it feels more precious to us than any instrument we've ever owned. It's spoilt and probably gets more love than it did in 1982.



You mention the song came together in a rare flash of inspiration. How often does that happen versus the usual “staring at a wall until something works” process?

It's quite rare for a song to be pretty much totally finished from scratch in a day, for sure. We all write slightly differently from each other; JD is great at sitting down to start an idea and working through stuff until a song comes out. Max almost always works from song ideas that have landed in his head at what is normally an inconvenient time and has a phone full of voice notes to back that up, ready to be taken into the studio. The rare thing is being in the studio when that idea lands in your head, which is what happened with this song! It's normally something that happens when you're falling asleep or travelling somewhere.

Between the sax line, falsetto chorus, and shimmering guitars, Dreamhouse feels packed with serotonin — which musical element was the non-negotiable “this must stay” moment?

There's this plucky guitar line in the chorus that was one of the first things that came to us for this track. It eventually reprises a sax hook in the last chorus. I think this really formed the basis of the chorus and set the tone for the rhythm/groove the track has throughout – so without that, the song probably wouldn't be what it is.

If Dreamhouse had a signature scent (yes, we’re going full immersive), what would it smell like?

Freshly ground coffee

You’ve created a whole digital Dreamhouse world — what hidden Easter egg or detail are fans most likely to miss on a first visit?

Maybe Tom being asleep and being tagged with a teaser for a piano session version of Dreamhouse - and also the fact that you can go for an explore upstairs in the first phase of the virtual Dreamhouse. New rooms will unlock throughout the next few months, with mailing list subscribers getting access as soon as they unlock!

Fans say your gigs are a place to switch off for an hour. What’s one song (yours or someone else’s) guaranteed to instantly improve your own mood?

The positive energy of Ordinary Pleasure by Toro Y Moi is always a good mood changer.

You’ve got festival main stages and a headline tour coming up — what’s more chaotic: a backstage green room or the inside of the Dreamhouse in your head?

The backstage green room is 100% more chaotic. Within 30 seconds of us being shown where our green room is, Tom will have managed to spread most items within his bag across various spots in the room. Max will be doing his ever-growing list of vocal warm-ups. JD will be trying on every item of clothing in the hope of picking a show outfit until he decides he prefers the first outfit he tried on. Lucy will be doing her makeup in the most illogical of places and getting annoyed if anyone eats (especially carrots) in the green room. I think, in hindsight, our green room experience is what created our need for the Dreamhouse.