Your New Favourite Band: Solar Bears interview
Debut albums so rarely come as complete as She Was Coloured In, the first effort from Irish electro duo Solar Bears that has had Ragged Words utterly awe-struck these past few weeks. It's not out until September but mark this writer's words, it'll be up there with Janelle Monae, Four Tet, Joanna Newsom and any other outstanding record released in 2010 when end-of-year lists start being compiled a few months later.
Of course, we're by no means alone in thinking so. In recent weeks Solar Bears have compiled a mix for NME, been included in a mix on Uncut, been interviewed by The Fader and recommended by heavy-hitting blogs like On The Record, Nialler9, Gorilla vs Bear, 20Jazzfunkgreats and No Pain In Pop. Not bad for two lads from Dublin and Wicklow...
A handful of free MP3s from both She Was Coloured In and next month's debut EP Inner Sunshine have accompanied some of the above piece but one which has yet to be heard is the album's opener 'Forest Of Founatins'. Be sure to grab an exclusive download below. But first John Kowalski - who along with Rian Trench - are Solar Bears, answers a few of our questions.
You have gotten a lot of great press recently, particularly in the U.S. and particularly from some pretty important magazines/blogs. Did that come out of the blue a bit?
In a way it has. Marcus at the label has been doing really well introducing people to us and our music. He has put a lot of work in. We are extremely grateful to him and the subsequent response.
What's most encouraging with all that's been written is that pretty much everyone's noted just how good the album is (may we also add that it's exceptionally good, one of the best of the year). It's most impressive in its scope - 15 tracks that don't stand still for a second - and feels like it could have taken quite a long time to perfect. Was that the case?
Thank you very much. To be honest we did not think about what we were doing. Each track was a reaction to the last. Rian is very good at writing on the spot. His counter melodies and hooks are all over the record. Spontaneity is important to us and hopefully that shines through.
How do you guys generally record things? Is there a mix of organic and electric sounds or am I wrong in thinking that one of you is actually playing that sprawling guitar on the album's title track?
We record parts on tape machines from the 70s and 80s. It adds warmth, grain and character to the mixes. We then blend these overdubs with the originals. Rian is a multi-instrumentalist and everything is live. It was literally first idea and first take. He plays all the parts in each song.
I'm really liking the blurry artwork too - on both the EP and album. It really does the shimmering feel of the music justice. Who's behind it?
The artwork is by a guy called Falk who goes under the name The Zonders. I really liked his work for the College record "Secret Diary" and I felt I could collaborate with him on ideas we wanted to convey. The central symmetry is a nod to Kubrick while the technicolor echoes is a nod to Kenneth Anger. The font for Solar Bears is from Stalker by Tarkovsky. He is one of our favourite directors.
How did you hook up with the guys at Planet Mu? Given their track record, was it a bit of a no-brainer to release your music through them?
The label is known for being artist friendly. They have shown us a great deal of respect since we began working with them. I researched the label and the label boss Mike Paradinas before deciding to sign. His experience is vital. The roster speaks for itself really.
On the Gorilla vs Bear post, one person commented that it was "great to hear some new music coming out of Ireland at last." Do you think that's a bit harsh? And if you do, why don't you think more Irish bands aren't making quite as big an impact with blogs like that?
I am not sure who made the remark or how familiar they are with the Irish music scene. It is a matter of taste anyway. My Bloody Valentine are pretty much untouchable in my book although it has been a while since their last release. Villagers, David Holmes and people like And I Watch You From Afar are top music makers. It could be that blogs like Gorilla Vs Bear are not on bands' radar. I go on there all the time for new music.
I see you're doing a split EP later this year with Bryce Isbell of FUR too. How did that come about? And any more details on when the EP's coming out?
We have done two remixes for Bryce and he asked to do something with us specifically. We have tracks for it and we are looking at a couple of labels. It should be out this year or early next.
When you spoke to The Fader, you said cinema was central to what you do. Have you ever done any soundtrack work? Is it something you'd like to do?
We would love to score a film and have our tracks used in a feature film. Neon Colony was used by Nylon TV recently. Rian is highly adept at arrangements. His father is actually a top composer who has worked with Paul McCartney and Kate Bush. It is in the blood. Cinema is a regular joy to be honest. The last thing we saw together was "Voy A Explotar" which featured music by George Delerue. Highly recommended.
I know when we talked a while back, you were piecing a live show together. Have you made much progress?
We have to find the right balance in the songs as well as utilize visuals which may require drafting in a third party. I have one in mind. The tracks we would play would be the more upbeat ones. People keep asking us and we want to start getting out there.
And finally, who are your new favourite bands?
Letherette - Two gents from Wolverhampton who make a cross between dance, instrumental hip-hop and disco. Their remix of Crystalline is online currently so check it out. They are influenced by J Dilla and Daft Punk which comes across but they are doing their own thing. Very tasteful and highly catchy.
Twin Sister - I was lucky enough to meet Dev from the band in New York. Both of their EP releases are sublime. Again they tend to incorporate different influences and the overall songwriting is very strong. I would be surprised if they did not go on to big things.
Solar Bears debut album She Was Coloured In is out on September 20 and will be preceded by their debut EP Inner Sunshine on August 9, both on Planet Mu. You can (and should) pre-order them here and here.
In your words