What’s your story as an artist?
Will and I (Michael) had joint guitar lessons from the age of about 14, just to get taught our favourite punk song of the week for each lesson. From then we formed several bands through our teens, moving on to study music at uni together. Here we met Mark. On meeting Mark we knew we had to create music together. I’d never seen anyone with such preternatural musical ability as Mark. A lot of time passed and I went on to form Hanging Valleys with another close friend. After some years and personal reflection, I knew the time was right for us to come together and to make good on a word we made some years previous.
What do you want your music to communicate?
Urgency.
What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?
Francis Bacon is a constant source of inspiration, although lately I’ve been delving into the mad world of Jodorowsky. To progress into a path that combines vivid surreal and poignant imagery. I’ve always been a fan of the allegory end of lyricism, so as to bring the listener into my head in a visceral way.
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
I don’t think any of us can pinpoint one particular artist or influence more than any other. We try to cast the net wide and find inspiration from as many areas as possible.
What’s the record or artist that made you realize you wanted to be an artist?
Well, as cliche as it is for me it would probably be Nirvana. Between first listening to Nevermind as a kid or Dookie. Those albums blew my tiny mind. First picking up a guitar and trying to figure my way around Smells Like Teen Spirit.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
‘Disappointment Enthusiast’ came out of the first year or so of us figuring out where we wanted to be and how we would combine our efforts into a cohesive sound. We started writing not too long before the lockdowns started, so we utilised the time to hone our sound.
What inspires your sound?
Anything and everything. From personal issues, to something we may read about in the news or a situation we might find ourselves in. It’s about transcribing our raw emotions into a tangible art.
What’s your favourite tune of yours?
I know we’re all incredibly excited about our latest tracks, which we’re about to go into the studio to record next month. A new track Serpent Shine is super fun to play.
Where are some things you really want to accomplish as an artist?
To play to a packed out venue of people who are all feeding off of the same feverish energy.
Favourite lyric you ever wrote?
Personally at this current time it’d be off of ‘Introvert’ (track 2 on our forth coming EP, ’No Grace’)
As I come to silences’ pressure like a vice in me,
Grinning inanely as we exchange routine pleasantries,
Like a woodlouse in defence my body is in retreat,
My minds like Scanners though the explosion scene is on repeat.
Was there ever a moment when you felt like giving up?
NEVER!
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Silence is the best answer to all questions
