Nine Black Alps
Posted 2nd Aug 2007 in Interviews, Nine Black Alps | Written by Clickmusic | 0 comments
Nine Black Alps follow up 2005's debut album 'Everything Is' with 'Love/Hate' this September. New single 'Burn Faster' is out now, and we catch up with the Manchester quartet before the single launch show at London's Old Blue Last. We speak to frontman Sam Forrest, bassist Martin Cohen and guitarist David Jones just before they perform an acoustic set.You were supposed to be playing in Bristol tonight?
Sam: We went to book it, then we realised it was the week of our single release. It's not helpful when you're trying to get "media" people interested! So we've postponed it until August.
You're playing an acoustic set tonight, is that something you often get to do?
Sam: No not really, although we do instores and stuff. It's something we'd like to do more of, but people come to our gigs expecting to be deafened!
Which songs will you be playing acoustically?
Sam: 'Intermission', 'Behind Your Eyes', a song called 'Pocket Full Of Stars' that I did for a film, and a couple of b-sides.
How does it feel to be playing to a UK crowd again?
Sam: It's good! It's easier! It's not as foreign, in that it's nice to have the cultural understanding.
What's been the highlight of your July tour so far?
Martin: Stoke was quite good fun the other night! We've had good suport bands on tour, so they've kept things interesting. We've had The Sugars for the first half of the tour.
Why is your album called 'Love/Hate'?
Sam: It was originally one of the songs on the album, but it looked good written down!
How did you approach writing the second album?
Sam: It was mostly written while we were on the road, when we were touring the first album. It's much more acoustic-based. We were going for more depth and melody this time, as our first album had to be pretty instant. This time round it's more song-orientated.
What do you think producer Dave Sardy brought to the album?
Sam: Experience, I think. He was able to help us find the sounds we wanted after the first album. We wanted it like the Beatles' 'White' album, and not to repeat ourselves. He pushed us in new directions, and taught us not to be afraid of using different instruments, instead of the generic guitar, bass, drums.
Which songs are you most proud of on the new album?
Sam: I think 'Bitter End' is the first 'pop' song we've ever done, and that's something we've never done before.
David: Yeah, I think 'Bitter End' was the one where we all just looked at each other and agreed, wow, we've actually done it, and wouldn't change a thing - there's nothing wrong with it. That's the first time we've ever had that with a song, where we didn't want to go back and pick at it.
Did LA influence the album at all?
Sam: All the songs were written before we went out there. A lot of the music from there has influenced us though. The first album was more East Coast, so maybe. This one has more sunnier songs.
Have your say
You must be registered and logged in to comment on Clickmusic.