quarta-feira, 12 de outubro de 2016

Veldisa with Echolust - An Interview


Definitivamente a Califórnia deixou de ser a mecca das canções ensolaradas e aquele clima surf para se tornar atualmente em um efervescente cenário da nova safra de pós punk, darkwave, coldwave, ou tudo isso junto e acrescente tonalidades sempre mais acinzentadas quando é chegada a vez do TBTCI falar sobre o Echolust.

O Echolust é um trio formado por Philip Obando, Armond Angeles eTony Lee Jackson e esta em vias de lançar através da cultuada Cleopatra Records seu primeiro disco intitulado "Veldisa", mais precisamente no dia 18 de Novembro, mas o TBTCI teve o saboroso prazer de degustar o álbum antes de seu lançamento.

"Veldisa" é intenso, como todo obra de pós punk deve ser, tal como, metricamente densa, sem haver momento algum para descanso, pelo contrário, o Echolust despeja um energético e vigoroso petardo acrescendo em alguns momentos nuances de suas outras referências, no caso o barulho derretido das guitarras barulhentas da cena gazer clássica, leia-se MBV. E esta junção de pós punk e wall of sound funciona perfeitamente.

O TBTCI aconselha, escute "Veldisa", "Cherry Dancer" e "Decor Blonde" imediatamente e sinta nas entranhas o poderio do Echolust em sua estreia.

***** Interview with Echolust *****


Q. When did Echolust start? Tell us about the history...
Echolust is an American band formed in Long Beach, California in 2011. The band consists of musicians Philip Obando, Armond Angeles and Tony Lee Jackson. Together, they recapture and reinterpret important eras of subculture essence that has musically influenced them their entire lives, through personal point of views, perspectives, experiences, gains and losses.

Philip was about to give it all up, annoyed and frustrated with the lack of finding the right people to write music with. One summer, upon recording a few demos in 2012, he met Armond through friends at an Echo and The Bunnymen show in Los Angeles. Armond did bass work for a Smiths-like sounding band. But after a few recorded tracks, there was no more motion and movement and they disbanded soon thereafter. Philip and Armond exchanged information and a couple months later started recording songs. The goal was to create a five track EP release. However, instead of an EP, they decided to write an entire LP record, and soon sought the talents of a lead guitarist. While the music that was being created sounded great, there was an element missing. Philip told Armond that the tracks needed a sound that was more distorted, something of a mixture of Cocteau Twins, Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine. One night, Philip was Dj-ing at a small dive bar when he met Tony. During a Cocteau Twins track, Tony approached Philip and they soon started talking about music. That’s when Philip knew he was the right guy for the job. Tony’s musical background consists of having recorded work for bands, Pile Up and Russian Bones, however stalled in 2001 due to death, drug addiction and personal bickering. But soon, all three were recording new material.

All three bring very specific elements to the table. Armond’s basslines are reminiscent of a beloved 80′s gloomy English Post Punk era, cold, delayed and distant, Tony’s experimental shoegaze textures captures a wildly beautiful but contained distortion, while Philip’s guitar, synth and lyrics tell stories about a sense of personal loss, wonder and moving on.


Q: Who are your influences?
Tony: Gang of Four, Dinosaur Jr, Adam and the Ants, Sonic Youth, Swervedriver, Polvo.

Armond: Joy Division, The Cure, JMAC, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Smiths.

Philip: So many, but these are the ones sticking: Soda Stereo/Gustavo Cerati, Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, New Order, Radiohead.

Q. Make a list of 5 albums of all time…
Tony: Exile on Main Street, Revolver, OK Computer, Loveless, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, Head on the Door, You're Living All Over Me.

Armond: Disintegration, Closer, Psychocandy, Porcupine, Hatful of Hollow.

Philip: Oh come on... that's a hard one, but fine! Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, OK Computer, Led Zeppelin IV, Black Celebration, Disintegration.

Q. How do you feel playing live?
Tony: Playing live makes me feel alive. Armond: I love playing live, it’s a surreal experience.

Philip: When we have no sound check and twenty minutes to set up I feel fucking nervous and fucking anxious. I can't help it. However, throughout our set, there's this energy that takes a hold, I look around to Armond and Tony and when I see them moving to the music with the crowd - I know something good is taking place.

Q. How do you describe Echolust sounds?
Tony: Post wave romantic iPod shuffle.

Armond: A mix of MVB + JD/NO + JMAC.

Philip: Drugs. Dreams. Magic.


Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
Tony: Slice and dice.

Armond: Phil recomposes the track's main body and then bass and guitar parts are added in the mix.

Philip: Step 1. Acoustic guitar demo. Step 2. Develop demo add lyrics. Step 3. Have the guys record their parts into the demo. Step 4. Add pot and magic sprinkles. And that's how it's done.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
Tony: Terminal A, Native Fauna, Furcast, Ramones.

Armond: Sextile, Second Still, Drab Majesty, Choreography.

Philip: I like Second Still a lot.

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
Tony: Radiohead, New Order, and The Cars.

Armond: Joy Division.

Philip: My Bloody Valentine's - Sometimes. Such a fucking beautiful song. I wish I wrote it.


Q: What are your plans for the future?
Tony: Dismantle the corporate capitalist empire, find substitutes for petrol and carne, and to promote peace, love, and understanding.

Armond: Play more shows, start recording for the 2nd album.

Philip: Write songs that connect, inspire and make people sing.

Q: Any parting words?
Tony: Adios, ciao, later, farewell, a demain, sayonara.

Armond: Vegan Power.

Philip: None.
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Thanks

https://echolust.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/echolust
http://www.echolust.com/