If you haven’t heard of this great
band then there sound can be very hard to explain. A mixture of
pitch-black Post-Rock, Ambient, Doom and Sludge Metal sounds only
gives you a brief glimpse of what the band actually does.
I’ve been a fan of SONANCE for
about 5 years now. And I’m always excited when the band release a
new record. I haven’t heard from the band in a long time. About 3
years have passed since I last interviewed them. Well it’s time to change all
that. As I’m now interviewing BJC (Guitars) and Will
(Guitars/Vocals) from the band.
Let’s see what the guys have been
upto recently….
Hi
guys. How are things with you today.
Will
- Not bad, looking forward to rehearsal tonight.
BJC
- Hot and indecisive. Moretti or gin?
So
how are things with Sonance. Been a while since we last spoken.
Almost three years.
Will
- Good, yeah, too long! We have a new drummer which is working out
great.
BJC
- It feels like when it did right back near the start; writing songs
is fun again and I've been playing more guitar and contributing some
ideas.
What
have you guys been upto since then.
Will
- We've been working on new material, I have moved back to Bristol,
so it's much easier to rehearse. Prior to that we were going months
without seeing each other, only keeping up with demos via Whatsapp
and Dropbox. We've more or less finished the first half of a new
album, the second half is on the way.
BJC
- As a band we've been quiet, played a few shows since three years
ago - Temples Fest was great, RIP. Chino just had a baby. The usual
stuff.
I
heard you’ve recruited a new drummer. Can you give any more
details.
Will
- We've known Dave and played with him in other projects for 15 years
or so, he was an obvious choice for a new drummer, so much so that we
nearly overlooked him!
BJC
– Yes sir. Dave played in Mea Culpa (look us up, KKKK) with Will
and I for years! Chino even joined for a few shows so we're all
familiar. We toured the country and mainland Europe in Dave's Astra.
Jamie had had enough I think, I'm still not sure on the actual
reason for leaving the band but I think it was the musical style and
he felt like it was a demand he wasn't prepared to meet. All fair,
understood. We decided to crack on and get a new drummer...we kept
the ideas going and had a few in mind.
What
does Dave bring to Sonance overall sound.
Will
- He's 6'5" so has a lot of leverage in his limbs to beat the
kit with, he really punches through the wall of noise.
BJC
- I can see it in his face when it goes heavy that he loves it, and
that's the main thing for me.
Are
you guys preparing for a new EP, album or tour of some kind. Can you
give any details.
Will
- Working on finishing our next album, we're taking our time to work.
There's a lot to be said with this material so we want to make sure
it's coherent. It'll be our longest album to date. Joe Garcia
(Portishead, Om) is engineering for us and I'm mixing, as per all
previous records.
BJC
- We have circa 7-8 songs written, some of which have already been
recorded. So yeah we are. I'm still trying to work out where we are
as a band, how we sound, why it works. But it does and I like it.
Have
you still been performing regularly. Or things been quiet on that
score as well.
Will
- We've played a handful of gigs over the past three years. 3/4 of us
our fathers now, so we're focusing more on studio stuff rather than
playing out or touring (for now).
BJC
- We're just trying to get the record finished. At least for now
anyway - we've played many shit gigs in many shit bands. Once this
is done we'll probably do a show at the Cube, because it's the best
venue in the UK.
One
of your last records was the split album with Torpor. How was the
overall reaction to the record. Were you pleased with the response
that record received.
Will
- It was hard for us to reach a compromise as band in making that
album. I think ultimately we should have worked towards an album on
our own at that point and worked on separate material for the split.
I still felt it was good, but it could have had a stronger identity.
BJC
- We rushed into it. It was my idea and I'm happy to take the brunt
of any criticism. That being said, it sounds amazing and 'Under and
Under' is still one of my favourite songs.
Looking
back would you change anything about it.
Will
- Probably taken a couple more months to write three or more other
tracks.
BJC
- I'd have not recorded 'Capes'. If I'm being entirely honest, not
to do the split at all. Nothing against Torpor, but I think we
quickly learned that we aren't a "split" kind of band.
Take that as arrogant or take it as you will, I think it's just a
fact.
Do
you prefer releasing split records with other bands or your own
albums.
Will
- We've only done the one split, so hard to say.
BJC
- Own. Like Ghosts and Blackflower are really important to me. This
new one will follow suit, trust me.
If
you could be part of any band regardless of genre. Which band would
that be and the reasons why.
Will
- I'm happy doing exactly this. Sonance is my main creative outlet
and as a band we have maximum freedom to explore whatever we want.
BJC
- MORTICIAN - to kill posers
Thanks
for doing this interview. Before you go do you have any words of
wisdom to say to your fans.
Will
- Thanks for sticking with us! New stuff on the way.
BJC
- Ted Bundy was innocent.
Words
by Steve Howe and SONANCE
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