Ålesund
Interview conducted June 30, 2021
By Dan Locke
Delighted to once again be working with Bristol-based atmospheric Alt-Pop quartet Ålesund, this time on the release of their upcoming EP ‘A Thread In The Dark’, released July 9th.
The follow up to 2020’s ‘All Hail To Your Queen’, this EP is the first time a batch of songs have been written while the band was all in separate locations. Though the band liked how the lockdown restrictions had actually pushed the sound forward in ways it perhaps wouldn’t have if they had all been able to jam the ideas in the same room.
Throughout A Thread In The Dark, Alba’s intoxicating vocals take on totally different auras that interchange based on the musical landscapes they’re placed against; soaring atmospheric synth-laden soundscapes, shimmering guitars and tantalizing grooves.
Lyrically, the songs were inspired by being so still and so quiet in lockdown and being able to hear and see things that would have previously passed you by. “The usual hustle and bustle of life can drown things out, but with everything and everyone stopping, it brought a magnificent clarity. Hearing the birds sing, watching the trees blossom, following the cycles of the full moon. Thinking more about what is real, what is important, human instincts, human interactions, the natural world and how we all work together within it”, states lyricist Alba Torriset.
ÅLESUND ARE
Alba Torriset – Vocals & Keys
Lloyd Starr – Guitar & Synth
Jake Bright – Bass
Jai Widdowson-Jones – Drums
What was your upbringing like?
Alba Torriset: I’m lucky enough to say it was very lovely. Full of creativity, fun, imagination, being outdoors, being around animals. The only thing that was restricted was sweets and sugar. But I have no holes in my teeth so I’m actually grateful!
How did you discover music?
It was a big part of growing up in our house. Everything from Bob Dylan to Wagner, to Ella Fitzgerald, was played. Then at school, we were offered instrument lessons and during assemblies, we would all sing, so I guess it’s always been there in some way or other.
How did you start to write music?
I taught myself the basics of playing the piano and when I found I could start to accompany myself, I sang over the chords and songs started to form.
You are a Bristol-based band. How did you get together?
I moved here about 6 years ago and was on the hunt for a guitarist. I jammed with a fair few people before I found Lloyd. When we started to work together a band formed around us as we started to record and gig etc. Jake overheard us practicing and asked if he could produce a track for us. We were so chuffed with what he created we never looked back since!
How did your band name come about?
My dad was born and grew up in the West Coast town of Ålesund in Norway. It’s a stunning and atmospheric part of the world and it felt nice to link in my Norwegian heritage as it’s something I’m incredibly proud of and fond of.
Describe your music.
Atmospheric Alt-Pop, with lots of layers of sounds
What was your first performance like?
Pretty rough around the edges I can imagine! I can’t seem to remember it…. but I know that we’ve got better over the years!
What makes a good songwriter?
Connecting with people. Writing something that people remember and want to share with others.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
Our first song as Lloyd and I…..I think it was Harry’s Song, which we did record and have actually re-recorded recently. Keep your eyes and ears peeled!
What is the process of writing your music?
I normally come up with a basic chord structure, melody, and lyrics. Then take it to the band and we all then flesh it out and build on it. The latest EP was different though as it was written in lockdown so a lot of it was written separately and we built on each other’s ideas.
Tell me about your upcoming EP “A Thread in the Dark” which cames out on July 9th.
It’s a hopeful collection of songs, I think. I drew a lot from nature when we wrote it. As it was all written in lockdown my focus had shifted to being still, soaking up what was around me more instead of rushing about, cramming so much into my days, and draining myself. I heard the bird song with fresh ears, I appreciated the blossoms and blooming flowers like never before, I kept a close eye on the cycles of the moon etc. Things I may never have done had it not been for the lockdown.
Tell me the backstory behind “Rhythm”.
I had read a beautiful poem called In A Northern Bay by Arthur Symons, about how life is held together by natural rhythms and it fascinated me. I researched it more and found that the idea was also an ancient Korean concept of how the earth came to be. It’s called YullYeo and it literally means “The rhythms of the Universe.” These ideas inspired the song into existence and it felt incredibly poignant as I was writing it in lockdown. When I was feeling lost, restless, or unproductive, I could look to the patterns and rhythms nature is always presenting us, they help us find our place in the world and make us feel more content within it too.
How was it to work with Damien Hockey?
A dream! He saw my vision from day 1 and worked like crazy to make it happen. I think we’re both really pleased with how it all worked out. It was all done in lockdown 3, so it wasn’t the easiest, but he made it all possible.
How was it to create the EP during the lockdown?
I’m totally seeing it as a glass half full. I don’t think it would be the EP we have if it hadn’t been created in these circumstances. It pushed us to work in ways we hadn’t and maybe wouldn’t have. Even if at times it felt lonely to work so separately, I think it was a brilliant thing to do.
What is your favorite track on your EP?
I like them all for different reasons. But there is something special about Rhythm for me and I’m really looking forward to playing that one live.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I mean it’s totally changed the way we consume music. You can see that we have every song we could ever want to listen to at our fingertips, which is incredible… Or you could see it that everything is controlled by algorithms and so-called ‘good music is all based on numbers.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Depends on what you’re listening to and when I think. But there’s nothing quite like putting vinyl on of your favorite band. Having a physical copy of an album will always be exciting to me.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Cloud Busting by Kate Bush, we had it playing in the car yesterday and I’ve been humming it all today. She just creates these amazing worlds with her words and music.
Your last gig was Wester Emden, Groningen, Netherlands, then the lockdown happened. What were you thinking at that time?
Yea that was a crazy time. I think we realized this might be the last gig for a few months…I don’t think any of us thought it’d be quite so long until we’d be allowed to gig again though. In many ways, I think we felt lucky that we had got so many good shows in before the lockdown. It was special for us and the audience that night.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I don’t think it killed it. It certainly has put it on a very long painful pause. But human beings LOVE live music, so therefore when it is safe to do so I think live music will be back stronger than ever. There have already been some small live shows happening around, people are queuing up to be in the audience for any kind of live performance again. Obviously, we are at the mercy of what is safe etc, but when it can happen, I have no doubt it will.
Alba- during the shutdown you were creating some music on your own. How was it to track yourself on drums?
Haha, it was a real learning curve! I mean I wasn’t really drumming, just using wooden spoons and clapping my hands and using anything percussive that I could to create some drive into the demos. I found it a lot of fun! We kept a fair few of the things I demoed up, just got a real drummer on the tubs!
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
A good mix of exercise, getting outdoors, reading, painting, calling friends and family, and when you’re not in the mood for any of that, a good film and lots of booze!
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Painting! I’ve absolutely loved using watercolors and have become quite obsessed with botanical illustrations.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thank you for having us! We hope you enjoy the music and please find us @alesundmusic on our socials etc
