Post by blade on Jul 12, 2014 14:53:55 GMT
Source:
aaabackstage.com/interviews/5974-interview-howling-bells.html
Text:
Bohemian rock ‘n’ roll outfit Howling Bells are hitting our shores in September in support of their fourth album,‘Heartstrings’. Ahead of their first set of national headline shows since 2011, Ally caught up with front-woman Juanita Stein to chat new music, hiatuses, playing live, and the Australian vs London music scenes.
Hello! Thank you for taking the time out to speak to us! How are you, and where do you find yourself this fine day?
I'm just dandy thanx! Right now I'm in a shockingly sunny London
Let’s start with some introductions...who makes up Howling Bells, what do you play, and how did you meet?
Myself and my brother Joel Stein who plays guitar, Glenn Moule on drums and Gary Daines on bass. We've been playing with Glenn forever now, we met him through a local music paper back in Sydney. Gary joined the band recently, he was a mutual friend of ours for a few years.
Congratulations on the release of your fourth album ‘Heartstrings’! How does it feel to finally have it out? Could you please tell us a little about the creative process behind the album, and how it compared to past releases?
Thank you! We're pretty proud of the record. Feels great to have it out there, mostly because we want to make that connection with audiences when we get to touring. In terms of writing for this album, it was a very fast process, most of the songs were written a couple months before recording them. The studio experience was also very efficient and productive. We managed to get through a song a day, which isn't always recommended, however for this album we feel it totally worked for us.
You’ve been around for quite a few years now...the best part of a decade, I think? As a band, what is your songwriting process like, i.e., how does a song go from its initial idea into a Howling Bells track? Has this process changed at all since your early days?
Usually I'll come up with the bones of an idea or a fully formed song and take it to the band, who will then shape the song into what you'll hear on record. We've defiantly experimented with various methods over the years, we've co written tracks and worked on other people’s songs too.
‘Heartstrings’ is – as I’ve read – the result of a creative spell in the basement of Juanita’s home, and comes off the back of a two year hiatus that followed your 2011 release ‘The Loudest Engine’. Did you find that this break played any influence on your new material, or the way you work as a band?
It's possible that with space and time you adopt a healthy perspective, and this can most certainly define the new material. But mostly, I feel it affects our attitudes. My sense of purpose and confidence as a song writer strengthens with each creative spell.
Extending from your music, did this hiatus play any influence on your live show? Was regrouping after the break a smooth process?
Yeah, it was a relatively smooth process, it felt incredibly natural and normal to be in a room again with the dudes. If anything, the hiatus fuels the hunger.
Howling Bells is, as far as I know, a band that loves playing live. What do you love so much about touring, and what importance do you think it plays for modern bands?
Touring is the ONLY way indie bands can profit today, that is emotionally and financially. It gives us a chance to reach out to those audiences, and make a connection.
As an Australia band who gained popularity when you relocated to London, I have to ask: what tips would you give to young bands who are thinking of making the big move in an attempt to crack overseas markets?
I mean, don't overthink it, otherwise you'll miss the boat. If you're younger and relatively untangled then it's a lot easier. It's amazing how things will find a way of working out when you put your faith in the process.
Having worked as a band in both scenes, how does the current Australian music scene compare with that of the UK? Are there any main similarities/differences that are of particular impact to bands?
I gotta be honest, I haven't spent too much time recently in Oz, so I'm not as up on the scene as I should. Although I can't imagine the differences are that great between either continent industry wise. The success of any bands notoriety today relies heavily upon your social networking skills, which was basically irrelevant when we first moved to the UK. Obviously genuine talent helps, but if you're not at all tech savvy Lord help ya!
We’re thrilled to have you back in Australia in September! Do you have any surprises planned for the tour? Are there any particular cities that you’re excited to play? Tell us all about it!
Were doing a relatively small tour this time, just dipping our feet in I guess. All 3 cities will delight I've no doubt. We'll be playing a set heavy on the new record, so hopefully there are some folk who've had the time to really listen.
In the spirit of sharing music, what artists and/or songs are you loving at the moment? Apart from the Australian tour, what does the rest of 2014 look like for Howling Bells?
I've been listening to the new records by Warpaint, Lana Del Ray, Temples, War on Drugs, DIIV, Marika Hackman and for some good Ol jazz I've been into Miles Davis record Quiet Times.
Once again, thank you so much for your time! We will see you in September!
And you’re most welcome!!
Having always been a hard-touring band, and being selected for arena supports with The Killers and Coldplay, Howling Bells are sure to be something special live. Catch them in Perth, Melbourne, or Sydney at the below dates!
Howling Bells Australian Tour Dates
Tickets available from www.howlingbells.co.uk and www.livenation.com.au.
Perth | Amplifier | Saturday September 6
Melbourne | Howler | Thursday September 11
Sydney | Oxford Arts Factory | Friday September 12
aaabackstage.com/interviews/5974-interview-howling-bells.html
Text:
Bohemian rock ‘n’ roll outfit Howling Bells are hitting our shores in September in support of their fourth album,‘Heartstrings’. Ahead of their first set of national headline shows since 2011, Ally caught up with front-woman Juanita Stein to chat new music, hiatuses, playing live, and the Australian vs London music scenes.
Hello! Thank you for taking the time out to speak to us! How are you, and where do you find yourself this fine day?
I'm just dandy thanx! Right now I'm in a shockingly sunny London
Let’s start with some introductions...who makes up Howling Bells, what do you play, and how did you meet?
Myself and my brother Joel Stein who plays guitar, Glenn Moule on drums and Gary Daines on bass. We've been playing with Glenn forever now, we met him through a local music paper back in Sydney. Gary joined the band recently, he was a mutual friend of ours for a few years.
Congratulations on the release of your fourth album ‘Heartstrings’! How does it feel to finally have it out? Could you please tell us a little about the creative process behind the album, and how it compared to past releases?
Thank you! We're pretty proud of the record. Feels great to have it out there, mostly because we want to make that connection with audiences when we get to touring. In terms of writing for this album, it was a very fast process, most of the songs were written a couple months before recording them. The studio experience was also very efficient and productive. We managed to get through a song a day, which isn't always recommended, however for this album we feel it totally worked for us.
You’ve been around for quite a few years now...the best part of a decade, I think? As a band, what is your songwriting process like, i.e., how does a song go from its initial idea into a Howling Bells track? Has this process changed at all since your early days?
Usually I'll come up with the bones of an idea or a fully formed song and take it to the band, who will then shape the song into what you'll hear on record. We've defiantly experimented with various methods over the years, we've co written tracks and worked on other people’s songs too.
‘Heartstrings’ is – as I’ve read – the result of a creative spell in the basement of Juanita’s home, and comes off the back of a two year hiatus that followed your 2011 release ‘The Loudest Engine’. Did you find that this break played any influence on your new material, or the way you work as a band?
It's possible that with space and time you adopt a healthy perspective, and this can most certainly define the new material. But mostly, I feel it affects our attitudes. My sense of purpose and confidence as a song writer strengthens with each creative spell.
Extending from your music, did this hiatus play any influence on your live show? Was regrouping after the break a smooth process?
Yeah, it was a relatively smooth process, it felt incredibly natural and normal to be in a room again with the dudes. If anything, the hiatus fuels the hunger.
Howling Bells is, as far as I know, a band that loves playing live. What do you love so much about touring, and what importance do you think it plays for modern bands?
Touring is the ONLY way indie bands can profit today, that is emotionally and financially. It gives us a chance to reach out to those audiences, and make a connection.
As an Australia band who gained popularity when you relocated to London, I have to ask: what tips would you give to young bands who are thinking of making the big move in an attempt to crack overseas markets?
I mean, don't overthink it, otherwise you'll miss the boat. If you're younger and relatively untangled then it's a lot easier. It's amazing how things will find a way of working out when you put your faith in the process.
Having worked as a band in both scenes, how does the current Australian music scene compare with that of the UK? Are there any main similarities/differences that are of particular impact to bands?
I gotta be honest, I haven't spent too much time recently in Oz, so I'm not as up on the scene as I should. Although I can't imagine the differences are that great between either continent industry wise. The success of any bands notoriety today relies heavily upon your social networking skills, which was basically irrelevant when we first moved to the UK. Obviously genuine talent helps, but if you're not at all tech savvy Lord help ya!
We’re thrilled to have you back in Australia in September! Do you have any surprises planned for the tour? Are there any particular cities that you’re excited to play? Tell us all about it!
Were doing a relatively small tour this time, just dipping our feet in I guess. All 3 cities will delight I've no doubt. We'll be playing a set heavy on the new record, so hopefully there are some folk who've had the time to really listen.
In the spirit of sharing music, what artists and/or songs are you loving at the moment? Apart from the Australian tour, what does the rest of 2014 look like for Howling Bells?
I've been listening to the new records by Warpaint, Lana Del Ray, Temples, War on Drugs, DIIV, Marika Hackman and for some good Ol jazz I've been into Miles Davis record Quiet Times.
Once again, thank you so much for your time! We will see you in September!
And you’re most welcome!!
Having always been a hard-touring band, and being selected for arena supports with The Killers and Coldplay, Howling Bells are sure to be something special live. Catch them in Perth, Melbourne, or Sydney at the below dates!
Howling Bells Australian Tour Dates
Tickets available from www.howlingbells.co.uk and www.livenation.com.au.
Perth | Amplifier | Saturday September 6
Melbourne | Howler | Thursday September 11
Sydney | Oxford Arts Factory | Friday September 12