Torin - Keys
Sam - Lead Guitar
Patch - Bass
Theo - Drums
Leon - Vocals/Guitar
When I was a kid, growing up in a house with Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond, and Simon and Garfunkel, the first time I ever heard Kiss's "Detroit Rock City," it was a moment of musical epiphany. It was just so vicious, aggressive and mean. It changed the way I listened to music. I've had a few minor epiphany's since then, when you come across a band that just brings something new and revolutionary to your ears.
What have been your musical epiphany moments?
Theo - “Hearing The Microphones - The Glow pt.2 for the first time and realizing the limitations speak for themselves rather than hide them”
Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?
Leon - “We do not, at the moment, have a set writing style and are experimenting with different entry points. But when in doubt I will start from a phrase I hear when out, then write down. It’s often lyrics first - however it can change from song to song.
Theo - "Inspiration can come from anywhere; from sitting on a bus to listening to the classics for the hundredth time”
Sam - “Anything can spark an idea, it’s just where to go from there”
We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the band's hometown and how that reflects in the music?
Leon “We’re all from the outskirts and have been surrounded by nature growing up. It’s safe to say that when we are writing we tend to be more on the introspective side and probably always will be, to a certain extent, but we're trying to break from that default.”
Where'd the band name come from?
Patch - “During the early stages of the band, we went out camping for writing inspo. One evening Theo was chopping wood for our fire. Whilst chopping the wood he swung the axe back and it went flying and hit Sam (with the handle not the blade). We later realised that the handle of the axe was called a Helve after that traumatic experience.”
You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?
Patch “WithNail and I”
You now write for a music publication (The Ripple Effect?). You're going to write a 1,000 word essay on one song. Which would it be and why?
Sam “William Balinski - dlp 1.1 as there is so much context we can dive into.”
Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?
Sam “Well see the thing is, we’re not really rock n roll like that, we’re way more interested in making good music than living the rock and roll lifestyle. We’re just tryna get home after a gig and drink some green tea. I don’t actually drink green tea but if I did I’d do it after a really good gig.”
Leon “It’s one of the best parts about being in a band and we’re looking forward to seeing you there.”
What makes a great song?
Patch “A great song is an immersive experience. It’s something which can take you somewhere completely new”
Leon “The main aim in our songs is to trigger the listeners imagination”
Who has influenced you the most?
Sam “Spiderland by Slint for obvious reasons”
Patch “You Must Believe In Spring by Bill Evans as the bass playing is incredible and the way the band interacts is like nothing I’ve ever heard”
Leon “Vespertine by Bjork as I have never heard such intimate vocals.”
Torin “Doolittle by The Pixies cause it’s so dramatic”
Theo “Bone Machine by Tom Waits cause the percussion on that album is insane”
What piece of your music are particularly proud of?
Torin “Snakes and Ladders as there's a lot of variation within the sections which contrast yet complement each other.”
Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?
Torin “gglum, Beachen, Kamal. Mates of ours who are making some great music”
Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?
Unanimous “The format is not important to us at this stage, whatever makes it easiest for people to listen to their favourite tunes”
Unanimous “Beer”
We, at the Ripple Effect, are constantly looking for new music. What's your home town, and when we get there, what's the best record store to lose ourselves in?
Leon - “If you ever come to Kent, Olaf’s record shop got me into Jazz.”
What's next for the band?
Unanimous - “Interactive visuals for our set and our next single 'Snakes and Ladders' - coming out soon.”
https://www.instagram.com/helve___/
https://www.facebook.com/helvege/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/12d8jeUBPwxcCPR6533Auu?si=5Ms7BhxhSOanpQvpWt9Df Q&dl_branch=1
Comments