THE UNDERGROUND YOUTH, An INTERVIEW with CRAIG DYER

THE UNDERGROUND YOUTH…

The Underground Youth were formed in 2008 in Manchester by Craig Dyer, initially as a solo project. The band soon evolved into a full lineup, gaining strong international presence and extensive touring activity across Europe and beyond.
Their sound blends psychedelic rock, post-punk, shoegaze, and dark pop, resulting in a dark, atmospheric, and emotional identity. Their lyrics often explore existential anxiety, love, loneliness, and memory.
Key releases include “Mademoiselle” (2017), “Montage Images of Lust & Fear” (2019), “Nostalgia’s Glass” (2023)… and the new 12th album, “Decollage.”

An INTERVIEW with CRAIG DYER…

On Friday, March 20 & Saturday, March 21/2026, THE UNDERGROUND YOUTH return to Athens and Arch Club, presenting their new 12th album, “Decollage.”
A few days before their appearance in Athens, we had an interesting conversation with their founder, Craig Dyer, musician and writer from Blackpool…

Athenscalling.gr: Hi Craig, where do we find you at the moment, and what is currently keeping you creatively busy?
GRAIG DYER: You’re finding me at home in Berlin, being kept busy by this interview! I’m actually currently working on the soundtrack for a short film, so taking a break from that to focus on this.

Athenscalling.gr: The Underground Youth’s music often carries a strong cinematic atmosphere. How important is cinema in your songwriting and creative process
CRAIG DYER: Immensely important. I studied film before my creative path turned to music, since the beginning I’ve visualised my songs as individual cinematic soundtracks, it helps me write to approach it in this way.

Athenscalling.gr: Your music feels deeply emotional and introspective. Is it a form of personal confession for you?
CRAIG DYER: It can be, sometimes I write from a very personal place, but I can also write in the same way a novelist creates characters and situations, I’m merely the creator, not the subject.

Athenscalling.gr: The project started as a solo effort and evolved into a full band. How did this transition affect your approach to writing and performing music?
CRAIG DYER: I still predominantly work on the writing side of things on my own. Though I then take those ideas and flesh them out with Leo (our guitarist who I work with on recording and production) and occasionally the full band. We collaborate in the recording stage and certainly in taking songs into a live setting. Once on stage we’re four parts of an equal system, but writing and recording music and performing it live are two very different sides to the job.

Athenscalling.gr: Nostalgia seems to be a key element in your work. What does nostalgia mean to you, and how does it shape your sound and themes?
CRAIG DYER: To be honest it’s something I enjoy dipping into but also try to keep some control over, it can be dangerous to focus too much on the past, romanticising the way we or the world “used” to be.

Athenscalling.gr: Travelling back in time, do you remember the first album you ever bought and how old you were? What did that moment mean to you?
CRAIG DYER: I think the first CD I bought with my own money was the self-titled debut album by the girl group All Saints, I was ten years old at the time. I wasn’t raised in a particularly rich musical environment but it was the nineties in the north of England so naturally I was surrounded by Oasis and everything Britpop had to offer.

Athenscalling.gr: You have visited Greece several times. What do you like most about Greece, and how do you experience your connection with the Greek audience?
CRAIG DYER: This time will be our ninth tour of Greece, it’s always one of our favourite countries to visit and audiences to play for. To name what we like most, the people, the culture, the history, the food, Athens was the first city in which we had a sold out show, and what an amazing audience! It has been like this since our first visit in 2012, everywhere we visit in the world and every crowd we play for, we hold up to the comparison of the Greek crowd, because, for us, it’s one of the best.

Athenscalling.gr: What can listeners expect from your upcoming releases and live performances?
CRAIG DYER: I aim to deliver from a live performance exactly what I myself wish to see when I go and watch a show, raw energy, all the songs I love from the band’s back catalogue, members of the band crossing the boundary of stage and crowd, interacting with each other in pure enjoyment. A great live concert should build a connection between band and audience, and that’s what I think we’ve done on every visit to Greece for the past fourteen years, in March we want to make it even more special.

Athenscalling.gr: All the best to you and to your band Craig.
CRAIG DYER:Thank you and kind regards.