We don't have much rest... at the moment we're busy promoting the album and making videos but we're hoping to release something else later this year.
Was there a different approach to recording this album and were there any surprises during the recording this time around?
We always use the same approach when recording, all playing at the same time live in the studio. Vocals and some extra parts get overdubbed later, but this allows for a more truthful and organic rendition. We recorded the album at Soup Studios in
We recorded the string quartet separately, Rachel wrote all the arrangements beforehand, and left the mixing to one of their engineers, Giles, who has been absolutely fantastic to work with.
How do you go about creating your music, what is the writing process and are there any particular stories behind the songs on the new record, that you would like to share?
The songs usually start off by Rachel and me playing together at home on acoustic guitar and piano. Some of the songs are fully formed, some more embryonic, and we then work on them collectively. This time we did this over a long weekend in a converted barn in
What do you hope people hear on the new album and where do you hope the record takes you as a band?
This album is probably the most complex and at the same time melodic we've ever made. To us these songs are pop songs, and we hope people hear them as such, and we hope to play the songs live to as many people as possible.
The ambient ‘Coming Home’ last track on the album is totally different from any other song on the record. Tell us more about this track please?
This is one of the first tracks written, and it was in a completely different form. I think over time we played it too much, and decided one day to deconstruct it totally which is the version that ended up on the record. The original version might surface one day, who knows.
Who designed the Artwork for the Album?
A Cambridge-based artist called Melissa Castrillón, who used to work with Mark, our drummer. You can check out her art here http://www.melissacastrillon.co.uk
You are an active band on the ‘bandcamp’ site, what do you like about this method of distributing your music?
We're at a turning point in the music industry. The CD is nearly dead so we have to adapt, but we still think it's important to have a tactile and visual experience when listening to music. At the same time it's understandable everyone wants the convenience of digital formats. What we think currently provides the best of both worlds is vinyl with a download coupon, and Bandcamp offer an easy and cheap way of offering that.
How do you go about getting music into the remaining independent record stores in the
This is left to our distributor, but it's always nice to see your records in independent record shops when visiting them while on tour.
April 2013 Tour dates
2nd April:
3rd April:
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13th April: