Did you know that Ross MacDonald, beloved bass player from The 1975, is not only blessed with luxurious long hair, impeccable style and serious musical talent, but is also super fit and putting those skills to good use for a very special cause? Ross, alongside fellow bass-playing pal Brian from PVRIS and a couple of their friends, is about to take part in a 1,100-mile cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise funds for music therapy charity Nordoff and Robins, a cause extremely close to the hearts of Ross and The 1975. We caught up with him a couple of days before embarking on the 2-week trek, while he searches for just the right pair of socks, to find out all about the charity and what inspired him to take on this slightly mad but inspiring challenge
Hello, Ross. Welcome back to Dork. How are you feeling ahead of this challenge? How are the nerves? Do you feel prepared?
The nerves are definitely there; I think it’d be a bit odd if they weren’t. It’s been a pretty mad three months of trying to train to be some sort of endurance cyclist while also living a life and doing the things I have to do day to day. So, I think I’ve prepared as much as I can, but that isn’t necessarily as prepared as I need to be.
I’ve spoken to a lot of people about this ride, specifically this type of endurance undertaking, and it’s very much like the adrenaline and your mental capacity get you through the first 3 or 4 days; the first 3 or 4 days are almost training for the rest of it anyway. Keeping that in mind is keeping me calm. I’m just busy doing the last bits of washing and buying a lot of last-minute supplies we need, realising that that pair of socks isn’t washed or, you know, that pair of ridiculous padded shorts I need to wear isn’t complete. It’s nervy, but it’s getting exciting as well. It’s come around very fast.
What’s the diet preparation for this?
I was on a bit of a health kick before this training regime. Handy timing, yeah? I was on a high-protein, low-carb, muscle-building, losing fat kind of thing. And then it just got to the point where I was cycling 3 or 4 times a week for longer and longer periods. I was just like, I don’t have any energy with going to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, as well as doing the bikes. I was just completely exhausted and knackered. One of my friends, actually, was like, ‘You should probably start eating loads of carbs, ’cause you need fuel and energy’, and like, ‘It’s gonna be great, as you can just eat whatever you want’. And I was like, ‘Oh, right, sweet’. So, I’ve just been eating whatever I want. It’s been great.
Tell us about the genesis of this challenge, then? How did it come about?
One of my friends I’m doing it with, Darren, he and I make sure we meet up quite a few times a year. He runs an e-bike company in the Cotswolds, so he’s got loads of bikes knocking around, and obviously, it’s an amazing part of the country. We go and have a bit of a pub crawl, bike ride, a couple of times a year. We’ve always been outdoorsy cycling types. He used to tour with us as well. So when we’d have the opportunity, we’d try and grab a bike from a rental place somewhere random and try and get moving. We were chatting about doing something, a challenge of some description, and the bike seemed like a pretty good way to go.
How important is Nordoff and Robbins and the work that they do to you? What inspired you to really go above and beyond for them?
The 1975 went to the Silver Clef Awards a couple of years ago because they honoured us with an award. The whole evening we were there, we saw all the highlights of the work they do. That kind of thing is really impressive and close to home as far as music goes. I think their second biggest sector of their funding is in Manchester as well, which is obviously where I come from. It seemed like a no-brainer to direct this fundraising through them, and having met the team, been down to the centre, and seen the work they do, it’s made it all the more worthwhile. We definitely made the right choice doing this.
How does the actual music therapy part of what they do work? You had some firsthand experience of that a few weeks ago when you met Ruby. How was that?
It was amazing. I went in for one of Ruby’s therapy sessions. She’s a proper character and a very good musician and bass player. We sang with her and her therapist, chatted about music, and jammed. They’d written a bit of a song together, which we all ended up playing at the top part of it. I think Ruby has been going for a good few years, and she was actually one of the people featured at the award show we were at. She’s obviously been in the system for a while and has developed quite a lot.
I spoke to her mum as well, who was there, and she said she’s developed loads since going. Not just for Ruby specifically, but there was a lot, whether it’s mental health or disabilities in other areas. The music therapy element of their work is a way of communicating when people can’t. It really opens up a new way of understanding for them, and it completely changes people’s lives. I know that Ruby has had some really tough times, and the music therapy is the sort of thing that she keeps going for, focuses on and wants to make happen. It’s really, really important work that they do.
It sounds like the whole experience really resonated with you.
The lasting impression that I had is that it shouldn’t be viewed as a bolt-on to medication or the more classic kind of therapy. It really works for people. It works in a very incredible and specific way for people where other therapies maybe don’t. It’s been really inspiring to go and see, and it’s been really inspiring throughout the training and everything to have that in the back of my mind.
Have you always been friends with Brian from PVRIS? How did he get involved? Is there something weird in the bassist’s psyche to push yourself like this?
Bass players unite! Brian and I have been friends for a good while. We met each other through a couple of other people on the touring circuit. But we’ve just become really close over the past five years. He’s the most positive man that you’ll meet.
You need that on this challenge, don’t you? You can’t be doing it with someone who’s getting you down.
Well, I mean, I think I bring that in buckets on my own. That’s why I was keen to have him along because I can’t do this with my attitude. He’s brilliant. He’s just positive spin; he’ll think his way through this whole thing, and I think he’ll get me through it as well. He’s quite a keen cyclist, and it was a no-brainer to ask him to be involved. Also, I thought combining the two fanbases as well would always help and raise a bit more money.
How much support have you had from The 1975 fanbase and other members of the band? Have you had them on a bike yet?
George is pretty active and outdoorsy, I can probably get him on a bike. The other two, I’m not so sure.
Not sure we can imagine Matty on a trek like this.
The last time I did any exercise with him, he’s quite active in the gym, but because he’s so slight, he doesn’t really do any cardio because he’s got no weight to lose, bless him. I think the last time we did any, we played 5-a-side just after COVID finished, so maybe four or five years ago, and I think he managed about 10 minutes. They’ve been supportive. I’ve heard from all of them. George texted me yesterday asking how the training regime was and how big my legs are. They’ve been great.
What are you most looking forward to seeing on this trip? We’re assuming you will get to take in some of the countryside ambience and the sights and sounds of the British Isles.
I’ve been to Cornwall maybe once, so I’m really looking forward to seeing that part of the world because it’s so beautiful, but it’s just so far away. It never made sense for us to go over that way. That will be great on the first stint, and then we’re up through Gloucestershire as well. As much as I’ve been to the Cotswolds quite a bit, it doesn’t really get boring that part. I think, honestly, from Manchester up getting into Kendall, and then up into Scotland, it’s just gonna be breathtaking. The route we’re doing is pretty special. My brother lives in Glasgow, and both my parents are from Scotland. My mum is coming to the finish line. Scotland has quite a dear place in my heart.
The very important question is, what sort of music are you listening to? What works well for a cycle?
When we’ve been cycling together, we don’t really listen to music because we’re just sort of chatting. I find that because it’s an endurance thing with that kind of mindset, you just have to zone in. I favour podcasts. I think once it’s day six or something and I need a bit of a pick-me-up, I’ll find something in there to get stuck into, or maybe it’ll be sort of environment-based and find some artists from wherever we’re in to get us through that part of the world.
Is there anything you’re dreading? What’s the worst weather you could encounter on this trip?
I think just being too cold. We had it the other day when we were going from London to Brighton. The weather wasn’t good. It was raining sideways, but it wasn’t really cold. If you stop, because you’ve been sweating cycling up a hill, and then you’re just wet, and then it’s cold, I’m like, ‘I’m just gonna get fucking ill here’. So the thing is figuring out how to balance the sweat output and the temperature, and managing how many clothes to wear. I don’t want hail on my face. It’s probably snow and ice. If it gets sub-zero, the further north we get, it could be a bit spicy.
It’s that British thing of four seasons in one day, isn’t it?
Exactly. We’re doing it completely unsupported, so we’re packing everything on the bikes and cycling with it all. I’ve got what I’m taking. I haven’t got space for a winter coat to pop on if it’s sleeting in Penrith. Also, the headwind is mental. It’s like cycling through treacle. If it’s directly in your face, you’re just not going anywhere.
Let’s hope the wind is behind you, and you can serenely fly forward.
Yeah, exactly. Well, that’s my understanding that the prevailing wind is kind of northwest, so we have it at our backs the whole time.
What else do you have planned for the year? Surely the band are not going to get you back in the studio the day after the challenge finishes, are they?
Hopefully not. Stranger things have happened, but I don’t think there’s anything on the cards for that. Matty’s getting married this year, and I’ve got another couple of weddings to do, some big travels for. I’ve got my own studio up in Tottenham, so I’m working on some of my own stuff out of there and with other people, just staying busy. There’s plenty to be doing. It’ll be scattered in with trips over to LA to work with the guys as well.
Have you got the tiniest morsel of anything exciting in the world of The 1975 that you can reveal to devoted fans and readers?
I don’t, really. Sorry, I was there at the end of January, and we’ve been working, but that’s about all I can say.
In the meantime, you are doing some truly inspiring work. All the best for your big bicycle challenge!
Thanks so much, we really appreciate it!
To find out more, and to sponsor Ross and Brian, visit nordoffrobbins.enthuse.com.