{"id":15105,"date":"2016-07-25T12:19:23","date_gmt":"2016-07-25T16:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.audiofemme.com\/?p=15105"},"modified":"2018-08-09T17:09:39","modified_gmt":"2018-08-09T21:09:39","slug":"artist-interview-girl-band","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.audiofemme.com\/artist-interview-girl-band\/","title":{"rendered":"ARTIST INTERVIEW: Girl Band"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"girl<\/a><\/p>\n

A friend recently mentioned something that\u2019s never occurred to me before.\u00a0 He said that making music requires an enormous amount of restraint.\u00a0 That, whether it be at the songwriting or recording stages, holding back is of utmost importance.<\/p>\n

Restraint.\u00a0 Patience.\u00a0 Modesty.<\/p>\n

These may not be the first words that spring to mind while listening to the screeching sprawl that is Girl Band\u2019s music.\u00a0 However, if you zoom in on their 2015 LP Holding Hands With Jamie<\/a>, which was meticulously written and self-produced, you can hear the discipline.\u00a0 It is a methodical record; each stab of guitar and gurgle of bass strategically placed to maximize discomfort.<\/p>\n

That same level of focus was evident at Baby\u2019s All Right last week, where our own Emily Daly covered<\/a> the group’s rapturous gig.\u00a0 The Irish foursome, comprised of guitarist Alan Duggan, vocalist Dara Kiley, drummer Adam Faulkner, and bassist\/engineer Daniel Fox, were on point throughout, delivering a streamlined spike of rage in sound only.<\/p>\n

At times, his feet obscured by heads in the crowd, Duggan looked as though he was kicking someone\u2019s head to the curb.\u00a0 Snapping at the waist and convulsing slightly against his own instrument.\u00a0 Turns out, that\u2019s just how he plays guitar.<\/p>\n

But for all of their sonic violence, the guys in Girl Band are an amicable bunch.\u00a0 I sat down with Duggan and Fox before the show to chat about concept albums, Glenn Branca<\/a>, and a winking dog.<\/p>\n

Audiofemme: It seems like people have finally come to grips with your sound. Have the horrible comparisons to grunge you\u2019ve faced in the past stopped yet?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alan Duggan: Yeah it\u2019s finally stopped.<\/p>\n

Daniel Fox: Yeah, like Pearl Jam references and stuff\u2026<\/p>\n

Oh! I didn\u2019t see a Pearl Jam reference! It was a Nirvana reference I think\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: Yeah, it was a Nirvana reference.<\/p>\n

Which is worse? I think Pearl Jam.<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: Of course, Pearl Jam! I really like Nirvana. I hate Pearl Jam.<\/p>\n

What are you guys currently working on?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: We\u2019re just writing new music. Pretty much.<\/p>\n

DF: Got some songs, yeah. We\u2019re not going to play any of it today, (laughs) but uh, yeah we\u2019ve got loads.<\/p>\n

I know you guys have said in the past that techno\/electronic music has been more of an influence than people might assume. What electronic musicians have been listening to lately?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: At the moment I actually haven\u2019t listened to much techno in a while. I\u2019ve been listening to a lot of Tim Hecker for ambient electronic stuff. That new Factory Floor song sounds pretty cool. It\u2019s called \u201cYah.\u201d They\u2019re really cool. They\u2019re on DFA Records. They\u2019re from London. I think. But yeah just really good techno, kind of early techno sound. I don\u2019t think they still have a live drummer, but they had a live drummer and weird guitar sounds-all very stylized as far as the visual aspect…I don\u2019t know. They\u2019re just really, really good.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s an area of electronic music that the mainstream doesn\u2019t always grasp: that there are sects of it that are outside of just trying to make people dance\u2026something more orchestrated than just \u201cfour on the floor.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: I\u2019ve been listening to early electronic music people. The BBC had a lab where they were basically figuring out how to do it, called \u201cThe Radiophonic Workshop.\u201d\u00a0 It was in the \u201850s. There was this woman Delia Derbyshire who wrote the theme for \u201cDoctor Who.\u201d So it\u2019s all these weird like (makes space noises). A lot of those kind of people really set the tone for what ended up being electronic music. But there\u2019s a lot that can be done with it as opposed to just dance music. It\u2019s a whole sonic palette that people just associate with dancing, really. Which I always thought was weird.<\/p>\n

Since you signed to Rough Trade and you started touring internationally, have things changed with your place in Dublin? Are you still accepted in the local music scene?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, it\u2019s always like a real warm welcome when we go back and play Dublin, you know what I mean? Ireland\u2019s pretty supportive.<\/p>\n

I know you guys produced this record, which sounds fantastic. Is there a dream producer you\u2019d love to work with? Or do you think you\u2019ll continue to do it yourselves?<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: I like producing. I mean, it\u2019d be cool to get peoples\u2019 perspectives, but-<\/p>\n

And you worked as an engineer, correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: Yeah. That\u2019s what I do in my spare time. So yeah…sometimes working with a producer could be-especially for the first record, could probably be a hindrance really, to have to re-explain something\u2026<\/p>\n

It [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][the record] would be covered in horn sections…<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: Yeah, like a string orchestra.<\/p>\n

I find that it rare that bands truly collaborate as a group, but it seems like every little detail has gone through everyone\u2019s hands at this point. How do you guys write songs together?<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: Sit in a room and hammer it out for ages.<\/p>\n

For you guys personally, what were some of your earliest urges to make music? What brought you to it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: For myself, all of my brothers were in a band. All of my family has always been really into music, so when I was a kid I used to sit down and watch them play, when I was about four or five, and just be like, \u201coh, that\u2019s really cool.\u201d They were real bad. They were terrible. They used to rehearse in my sitting room and face like they were playing a gig, so they wouldn\u2019t even face each other, it was like real funny if I think back to it.<\/p>\n

DF: They did it in the front room?<\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, in the sitting room. But they\u2019d set the PA up and face it out that way.<\/p>\n

Oh, they had a PA?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, it\u2019s actually the PA that we use.<\/p>\n

DF: It\u2019s survived a long time.<\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, cuz that would have been like, early nineties. It\u2019s crap as well.<\/p>\n

DF: It\u2019s really not a very good PA.<\/p>\n

(to Daniel) And what about yourself?<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: My dad was a musician, like played bass as well, and I was around music a lot as a kid.<\/p>\n

What aspect of what you guys do brings you the most joy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: For me, I don\u2019t really think it\u2019s one \u2013 because you know usually you could be touring and it\u2019s really, really<\/em> fun, and you really enjoy it but-<\/p>\n

I was wondering if someone would say touring because I don\u2019t know if I\u2019ve ever heard anyone say that.<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Oh, I love it.<\/p>\n

DF: Yeah it\u2019s a lot of fun.<\/p>\n

But it sounds like it\u2019d be a lot of fun, or like, <\/strong>really <\/strong><\/em>awful. Correct me if I\u2019m wrong\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: Depending on the people.<\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, if you\u2019re with people that don\u2019t get along I\u2019d imagine it\u2019s hell, but we don\u2019t fight, we\u2019ve never raised a voice to one another, so we work, we just kind of function really well.<\/p>\n

DF: They all have their different perks. It\u2019s like a meal, you know they all have their different things that are good about them. You know, like, touring you get drunk for free a lot, but then when you\u2019re writing it\u2019s like, writing songs is something fun, and then in the studio it\u2019s just, it\u2019s fun as well, so\u2026<\/p>\n

We\u2019re supposed to negate the Irish stereotype. Come on!<\/strong><\/p>\n

(all laugh)<\/p>\n

DF: Yeah, \u201cget loadsa cans!\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s gonna be the header: \u201cGet Drunk For Free.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

(all laugh)<\/p>\n

What kind of milestones, or, maybe it\u2019s just kind of an in-the-moment thing for you guys, but do you have artistic milestones that you want to achieve, that you strive for?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: I mean, I just wanted to put out a record that I was really proud of.<\/p>\n

Well you did that. You\u2019re done!<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: Double album<\/p>\n

(all laugh)<\/p>\n

DF: I want the fifth record to be a double-<\/p>\n

Concept?<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: Yeah a double concept record. I just want to rip off Rick Wakeman and do one about Excalibur.<\/p>\n

Oh yeah, and then like, it will be a pop-up in the center?<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: Oh yeah.<\/p>\n

AD: That would be pretty cool actually\u2026<\/p>\n

Just an idea. Just throwing it out there.\u00a0 Your prog rock record, ha. I know I just condemned comparisons only a moment ago, but when I was listening to your guys\u2019 stuff I was thinking: are you guys fans of Steve Reich or Glenn Branca?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, big time.<\/p>\n

Ok, I was thinking you must be.<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, hearing Steve Reich for the first time was a real kind of eye-opener, so that kind of just-<\/p>\n

DF: \u201cI can do one thing for ages\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Glenn Branca?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, that whole No-Wave scene in New York.<\/p>\n

Yeah, he\u2019s incredible. I saw his orchestra live a few months ago and he\u2019s a real\u2026I mean he\u2019s kind of like a Tom Waits, he\u2019s just a weird guy-<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Did you meet him?<\/p>\n

Oh, god no! No I was just there, I didn\u2019t cover it, but\u2026what a weird dude!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both: Yeah.<\/p>\n

DF: (doing gravelly Glenn Branca impression) \u201cI don\u2019t participate!\u201d (grumbling and cursing).<\/p>\n

When they were tuning he just went on this rant about the best hot dog he\u2019d ever eaten\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

All: (uproarious laughter)<\/p>\n

Anyway, just checkin\u2019. I\u2019m glad you guys are fans, me too. So, can you talk about the role of humor in your music? It seems like it\u2019s something that\u2019s very important to you guys.<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, just always like, I mean\u2026Dara with the puns, I mean the guy can\u2019t stop making puns all the-<\/p>\n

DF: All day.<\/p>\n

AD: All the fuckin\u2019 day.<\/p>\n

I read in an article<\/a> that that\u2019s a disorder.<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: (big laughs)<\/p>\n

AD: Interesting! But yeah humor\u2019s very important. I always think humor is a very strong way of conveying a maybe very meaningful thing.<\/p>\n

DF: Especially since some of this stuff is quite dark. Like the music\u2019s so bloody angry sounding anyway, so it kind of like, negates that a little bit so it\u2019s not just like, \u201cI hate you mom!\u201d you know?<\/p>\n

I think I was reading something about when you did the KEXP performance you were like, \u201cthis is our poppy song!\u201d which I thought was hilarious.<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, heh.<\/p>\n

I listen to it, and I\u2019m someone who listens to music that some people might deem \u201cdifficult,\u201d and I hear a lot of melodic things in it\u2026but I understand some people might not feel that way (laughs).<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Especially if you\u2019re rehearsing, and then you\u2019re touring it, and then you\u2019re recording it, which is what we were doing, when it came time to put it out, you really lose context of how-<\/p>\n

DF: Aggressive it might be.<\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, we were like, \u201coh, this is a radio smash!\u201d<\/p>\n

Top Of The Pops! Another thing I picked up from an interview with DIY Magazine, was something about how on \u201cUmbongo\u201d you threw around some car parts and someone threw a spoon\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: (to Alan) you threw the spoon.<\/p>\n

I tried to hear it today and\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: (laughs) It\u2019s in there!<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t want to disappoint you by saying I couldn\u2019t hear it, but I was trying\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: It\u2019s buried in the mix.<\/p>\n

AD: It was actually just like, a slam-dunk from across the room.<\/p>\n

DF: Yeah we played parts of like, big huge springs\u2026<\/p>\n

Have you guys ever thought of going even further to create specific sounds? Maybe even building your own instruments?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, definitely. We really want to try getting in touch with this guy called Yuri Landman<\/a>. He\u2019s built guitars for Lee Renaldo and\u2026<\/p>\n

DF: He\u2019s a Dutch guy.<\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, we played a show with him in Amsterdam, about two years ago now I suppose\u2026but he built all these insane instruments, and he\u2019s obsessed with noise. It is something that I think all of us would be really keen on doing. Like, Adam\u2019s drum kit is very creative. He\u2019s got loads of different cymbals like, stacked up on one another\u2026that kind of stuff.<\/p>\n

DF: Yeah, pipe cleaners\u2026<\/p>\n

Pipe cleaners?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Yeah.<\/p>\n

Like the <\/strong>fuzzy<\/strong><\/em> ones?<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: No, no. Like, long springs (laughs).<\/p>\n

Ohhh. Lastly, what do you both plan on doing, for leisure or work, when you return home?<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: (to Alan) What are you going to do? Walk your dog?<\/p>\n

AD: Yeah, probably walk the dog. I got a little puppy.<\/p>\n

(gasps) what kind?!<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Uh, it\u2019s a Collie cross. He\u2019s quality. He can wink as well.<\/p>\n

Really? On command?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: No, but soon though! Check it out\u2026<\/p>\n

It\u2019s just a twitch\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: No, well, it is <\/em>a twitch, but<\/p>\n

DF: His dog is adorable.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>AD: It is a twitch but it will soon not be a twitch.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the dog\u2019s name?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Boomers. Check that out: (shows winking dog pic) What a wink!<\/p>\n

Oh muh lord. He is just always winking though\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: No he just-<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a moment you caught?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Yeah.<\/p>\n

He looks kinda badass when he does that.<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: Yeah. This is him when he was just a little pup: (shows fluffy, adorable puppy pic)<\/p>\n

(requisite squealing)<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD: He\u2019s really cool. But he\u2019s gettin\u2019 a snip soon.<\/p>\n

(to Daniel) And what about yourself?<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: Me? Ehh, I have to mix a record for a guy when I go home.<\/p>\n

Nice. That\u2019s fun.<\/strong><\/p>\n

DF: Yeah, it\u2019ll be very fun, because I thought I\u2019d have it finished ages ago, and uh I don\u2019t! (laughs) So I\u2019m going to finish it when I get home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thanks gents, and safe travels back home.<\/p>\n