UK Doom/Stoner Metallers INDICA BLUES will be releasing their excellent upcoming new album WE ARE DOOMED on February 12th 2021 via APF Records.
The album builds upon their previous record but with a more serious theme running throughout the album. Though the band still play a lot of fantastic HEAVY RIFFS on the album which will keep their fans extremely happy.
I caught up with Tom Pilsworth (Guitar/Vocals) and John Slaymaker (Guitar) from the band to discuss the making of the album, signing to APF Records and the potential future state of the UK Music Scene.
Read on for more info.
John: Yes definitely a natural progression where groove is concerned. As for heavier, I think that’s down to our engineer Steve ‘Geezer’ Watkins and his recording techniques. He knows how to get the best performance out of a band.
What is the new album all about and why did you call the album WE ARE DOOMED.
Tom: When we started writing this album, the ‘We Are Doomed’ concept was inspired by the chemical weapons attack in Sailsbury, UK. For a very short period of time - about 2 or 3 days - it really felt as though anything could happen. Would there be more attacks? Could the UK retaliate? Were we heading for war with Russia? So the idea for ‘We Are Doomed’ was to imagine the worst possible outcome of those massive global events between 2016-18 and then answer the question of how it got there.
When we went to record the album, the pandemic struck about halfway through. And then we really were doomed.
What influenced you all when writing and recording this album.
John: In the two years since we recorded ‘Hymns for a Dying Realm’ each of us have gone through life changes of some sort or another but we always continue with our joint passion to further the progression of Indica Blues. Those lived experiences greatly influence our music.
You’ve signed to APF Records for this album. How did you hook-up with Andy over at APF. As I know he’s a huge FAN of yours. So I know it’s top fan-boy moment for him signing you guys to his awesome label.
Tom: This all came about because we met a photographer called Matt Peake, who had moved from Manchester Oxford. We hung out at gigs and he took some awesome photos for us. As it happened Matt was a good friend of Andy at APF. He told us he was badgering Andy to sign us. At first we thought ‘pff… never happen.’
But Matt was persistent. And eventually we sent our last album to Andy and he really liked it, but said now wasn’t the right time, so send us your next one. Which is exactly what we did. But really, most of the credit goes to Matt Peake, he really did make it happen! We’re absolutely delighted to on the APF roster - Andy is a legend in the scene for a reason, he really loves the music he signs and spends a huge amount of time and energy getting everything right.
John: We never found out as Andy heard it first and asked us to sign that very same day.
Was this a hard album to write and record for compared to your previous albums.
John: This album is our third recording as a team so we have established our writing methods, so in that sense it was easier.
Tom: I reckon the recording was actually harder though. Geezer spends way more time on each element than other engineers - usually solos and vocals are a bit of an afterthought. I got through a hell of a lot honey trying not to go horse when it came to vocals. But it paid off, I think.
What comes first for you when recording new music. Lyrics or Music.
Tom: Always the music. Usually John or Andy will bring in a riff and we’ll just jam it out for a few sessions till we’re confident it’s a goer. Then I’ll take it home and write lyrics and put together a structure for it.
Tom: That was done by Cristiano Suarez, a very talented Brazillian graphic artist who also designed our cover for ‘Ruins on the Shore.’
We gave him a detailed brief but he has the visual mind to work our ideas into reality. It’s not easy making a great cover - especially for a CD, you have to fit these grand ideas into a very small square. But it’s Cristiano’s eye for colours that make the difference - they grab your attention.
There is a very simple message behind it - the world is doomed and you are strapped in for the ride.
COVID-19 has pretty much put a stop to all life as we know it for the time being. How big of an impact has it affected the band. And how are you surviving in this stressful time.
John: Luckily none of us have been furloughed from work and left to fester, we’ve all been either working from home or continuing our normal routines in that respect. Thankfully the album was recorded just before the original lockdown and Geezer mixed it alone in the studio. Rehearsals have been minimal this past year and we had to cancel our shows that we had booked but we did manage to record two videos so that kept our spirits up.
After everything is back to some sort of normality. What does the future hold for Indica Blues. Will you be touring the record in the UK or In Europe.
John: We would absolutely love to tour the album definitely in the UK and our dream would also be to play such festivals as Roadburn and Desertfest in Europe, having the backing from APF has given us the confidence to believe that this could now be a reality.
John: Luckily none of us have been furloughed from work and left to fester, we’ve all been either working from home or continuing our normal routines in that respect. Thankfully the album was recorded just before the original lockdown and Geezer mixed it alone in the studio. Rehearsals have been minimal this past year and we had to cancel our shows that we had booked but we did manage to record two videos so that kept our spirits up.
John: We would absolutely love to tour the album definitely in the UK and our dream would also be to play such festivals as Roadburn and Desertfest in Europe, having the backing from APF has given us the confidence to believe that this could now be a reality.
Another thing that has messed things up big-time for musicians wanting to tour the UK and for UK Bands to tour Europe is BREXIT. There’s a ton of different information out there outlining what’s happening to musicians . How will this affect yourselves personally. And can you see any way out of this. As the UK Music Scene could face a deadly threat to it’s actual existence.
Tom: The UK government was offered visa free touring for musicians by the EU during negotiations but turned it down, because they didn’t want to reciprocate it. Which tells you all you need to know: they don’t give a shit about music. I think the real damage won’t be clear until covid passes, and band’s start trying to tour again. They’ll be costs and paperwork we never had before. This might sound a minor hindrance to some people, but let’s face it - those small issues can make the difference between going on tour or staying at home. Is there a way out? Things can change very quickly in politics, but people need to engage with the system and demand that change.
Thanks for doing this interview. Before you go, do you have any words of wisdom that you want to say to your fans.
John: Yes, follow your heart follow your passion and do not let procrastination ruin your dreams.
Words by Steve Howe and Indica Blues
Thanks to Tom and John for doing this interview and Simon at For The Lost for arranging the interview.
We Are Doomed can be pre-ordered on CD/DD via APF Records now.
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