Lower Than Atlantis | Interview

I spoke to Lower Than Atlantis' Dec Hart about their latest album Safe In Sound and their huge 22 date UK tour.

Is there a song that you’re most proud of from Safe in Sound?

It’s definitely Had Enough. For sure!

How would you say your music has changed lyrically since the first two albums?

I think the lyrical content has stayed prettier similar but the way it is presented has become more concise and probably less literal.

Mike’s lyrics can be so personal, does he ever feel apprehensive putting those thoughts and feelings out in the open?

I’m sure he does but, then, who wouldn’t?

When I was in college, about five years ago, it was only the kids that had that kind of alternative or emo past that listened to alternative rock. But now that the genre is much more mainstream, have you noticed a difference in the way your music is received?

I don’t think people have the genre boundaries of the past when listening to music anymore. Boundaries are stupid and irrelevant anyway. Music is always a matter of opinion, good or bad, and I think that is a great thing for artists of any style.

In reference to the album title, and escapism from the world by listening to music, which bands or artists do you listen to when you just need to shut off from the world for a while?

Radiohead – Kid A. That hits the spot for me.

You guys have said before that you still function like a DIY band. When did you release that was the way you wanted to go?

I think it’s just because we don’t know it any other way and the one time when we were convinced to do it otherwise, it didn’t work. So, we learned from that mistake and went back to what works for us.

Some of the songs from Safe in Sound are more alt-pop than your earlier stuff, and other bands from the genre seem to have done that as well, such as Paramore. Do you think that genres have to adapt over time?

Again, going back to the destruction of genre in 2018, you can sound exactly how you want to sound and you can try new things without fear of prejudice … for the most part. There’s always going to be a few stubborn people knocking about, though.

It’s been almost a year since you released Safe in Sound, so are you working on anything else at the moment? If you’re allowed to say so!

Yeah! New music is imminent. Stay tuned.

Have you decided on a set list for your forthcoming tour, and will it be mostly made up of songs from Safe in Sound or will we be getting to hear some of the older ones as well?

We’ve made a conscious decision to play songs from ALL of our 5 records on this tour for the first time ever. Think of it as a greatest-hits set but without any hits.

What’s your favourite song off Safe in Sound to play live? And is there a particular date on the tour that you’re looking forward to the most?

Had Enough. For sure! And the date I’m most looking forward to is the home town show in Watford. 100%

Finally, a lot of our readers are in bands themselves; what would be your biggest piece advice to a band working towards success?

If you genuinely think you’ve got something good, then go with it and don’t follow trends and don’t be influenced by what other people say. Just work hard.

Interview by Holly Beson-Tams.

Tours To Start 2018

2018 is here and what a way to kick it off than with lots of top notch tours? It just so happens that five of our favourite bands happen to be going on tour over the next few months, so we though we would recommend them. 

SHEAFS - one to definetely catch, we saw them for the first time at Kazoopa Festival in November, and it was possibly one of the craziest sets we'd ever seen. We can't wait to catch them on their headline tour, make sure you do to, and prepare to be sweaty.

CORELLA - It's no secret we love Corella, having seen them multiple times before. But theres no such thing as seeing a band too many times. Their songs are some of the most feel good tunes around, so if you need your spirits lifting and a bit of a boogey, make sure you catch them. 

GLASS MOUNTAIN - Another band we have seen a handful of times, Glass Mountain are set to release their second EP 'Wow And Flutter' on 2nd February, luckily we've had the pleasure of already listening to it already, and we can not wait to see them play these simply beautifully crafted songs live. However if you can't wait to listen to the new EP, you should check out their debut EP 'Glacial'. 

GUTS. - A band dear to our hearts here at Denim + Leather, they played at our first ever show in York and blew everyone away. This is a band for the 90s fans. They recently released an absolute banger of a single 'Hush'. They're one of my favourite bands both live and recorded, and I predict big things for the trio in 2018. 

FALSE HEADS - We were lucky enough to get an interview with False Heads in our last issue, which you should check out to see what they have to say. We haven't yet seen this guys live but after a long wait, we finally get to do so. We're buzzing! Make sure you catch them on their February tour. 

Carnival Club | Follow The Sun | Single Review

With tons of upcoming bands emerging from the city of Manchester its tough for any new band to break through the music barrier yet for Carnival Club they smashed they’re way through with force. The quartet of Manchester based lads not only acquire the sheer rock appearance with their patterned shirts and long greased up hair but, their music style has made an embedded home within the heart of Manchester.

Their new single ‘Follow The Sun’ released in late September binds feelings of riding in the back of pick-up down some West Coast boulevard, with the suave plunging guitars but, with added touches of let’s bring the ceiling down with John’s driving drum beat, the song never becomes too chilled. With many of Carnival Club’s tunes I’m always pulled into versatile vibes ‘Follow The Sun’ however, takes me back to that same ragged tone from Oasis, this is heightened in Kai’s strong, raw vocals which add that kick of idiosyncrasy into a song that really delivers.

With lyrics about Champagne Lovers and stargazing there is a subtle romantic feel to the song, that I love, and partnered with the guitars and crashing cymbals the song embodies a soft rock with a built up ending. For young lads they certainly set the bar high and I for one will be excited for what they have to produce in the future.

Review by Bronte Mitchell

The Claremonts | This Is Your Life | Single Review

Indie rockers The Claremonts are rising through Manchester’s thriving music scene, to establish themselves as one of the most promising and identifiable bands on the scene. And are certainly making a critical impression with awards for ‘best drummer’, and ‘best original song’ already under their belt at the Greater Manchester Music Hub 2016.

From the second the infectious, Stone Roses-esque bassline thumps out on new single ‘This Is Your Life’ you would have a hard time guessing the band’s roots were anything but Mancunian. The spoken, angsty vocals of lead singer Finn Gildea, allow his regional accent to shine through and exaggerate the melancholy of lyrics “you’re nothing new”.

Yet the four-piece surprise with a much edgier, grunge-like chorus. The guitars and lung-busting vocals build into a crescendo of explosive, pent-up youthful unrest. Lyrically, ‘This Is Your Life’ is an anthem for the doomed times, telling all the mundanity of modern life – something that anyone can shout along to.

The Claremonts have seemingly nailed that perfect balance between taking inspiration from your idles – such as that raw emotion of Oasis, and the disdainfulness of The Smiths but without ripping them off.

In an over-crowded genre, The Claremonts have taken what they need from a musically rich culture and imbedded into it a maturity and sound that you don’t hear enough of these days.

Review by Katie Manning