Blueneck is a hardworking band hailing from North Somerset in the UK. The band is gearing up to release a new album sometime in 2014 and recently gave fans a sneak peak into their new work with the release of the single, “Sirens”. Like a lot of Bluenecks material to date “Sirens” stays true to the ambient, gradual-building, soundscape that has had them constantly labeled as a Post-rock band. Which is a label that Singer Duncan Attwood embraces, having said in multiple interviews that being labeled Post-rock has really just helped them get more exposure for fans of the genre. Let’s face it, you may be tired of labeling bands a certain genre, but when you are being compared to bands such as: Radiohead (one of Attwood’s favorites), Sigur Rós, Mogwai, and Godspeed! You Black Emperor, one couldn’t help, but take that as a compliment.
We here at B.G.M. are really excited about what is coming next from the fellas in Blueneck so I reached out and was fortunate enough to be able to ask the very humble Attwood a few questions while he is preparing for a string of shows in which they will be playing songs of their new record. If you are anywhere near one of the shows I strongly suggest that you make your way out to see them, as I am sure that you won’t be disappointed.
D.A.: Yeah, we’re giving a couple of new songs a runout at our shows in Greece and London. Its taken some time to adapt the songs from their studio versions to something that will work live, mainly due to the way that these songs have been recorded.
As for the album, you’re right, its all written and is a long way into the recording process. I actually began recording it at the same time that we recorded Epilogue, but it’s a far bigger project than that album. A lot different.
I’d been doing a soundtrack for a short film that Johannes Persson (Cult of Luna) was working on called Evaded. Im a big fan of movie soundtracks, you know, Clint Mansell, John Carpenter, etc. and it struck me that it’d be interesting to simply adapt what I’d been doing for Johannes and turn it into a full soundtrack. So its simply just a different kind of Blueneck project – you could probably argue that its self indulgent even! But, I guess Blueneck is in the fortunate position to be able to work on projects like this and actually release it. I realize that people missed the vocals…but it kind of wasn’t the point, it was simply a different venture….. I actually loved working on Epilogue – I’m pretty sure I’ll do another similar project in the near future.
I’ve always tried to use my voice so that it almost compliments the instrumental side of things. Using it that way means we have been able to experiment a fair amount with vocal effects and also the way that the vocal is placed in the mix.
The new album however, has a more typical vocal performance. Its higher in the mix and , mostly, is driving the tracks forward as opposed to blending in….mostly.
I think ive learned a lot in the past few years. With Scars of the Midwest, we were essentially following Corin Dingley’s (producer) lead and letting him shape the overall sound. Nowadays, through experience, I have a lot more confidence in my ability to produce the sounds that are in my head. I work closely with Mat Sampson (producer of Repetitions and Epilogue) and have learned a lot from him…he’s encouraged me to get involved and learn the in’s and out’s of what we do. Its made writing songs a lot easier (and as a total control freak, a lot more satisfying!). If I want to create a certain sound then I now am more likely to know how to create it, as opposed to relying on the producer to second guess what I’m after.
Blueneck songs are very ambient, melodic, and emotional. For the uninitiated, what is the typical vibe for your live show? Blueneck live, I think is actually quite different to Blueneck on record. Im not a big fan of bands that simply re-produce their records like for like on stage. We tend to adapt the songs that we play live so that they have more energy, aggression, passion even. We really try to tap into that emotional aspect of Blueneck…and turn it up a notch or two.
Its on my checklist of things to do before I die! I’d simply love to play in the U.S. I’ve visited U.S.A. many times before and I’m very much in love with the country. To take Blueneck to the country would be great….we’d all very much love to do it…hopefully it’ll happen soon.
It’s a tricky one…I certainly don’t EXPECT or demand people to be quiet – but then I think it really annoys other people in the crowd who have also paid good money to come to that show. We play mostly in Europe, and I have to admit that the audiences there are quite phenomenal, very respectful. In the quiet passages you can hear a pin drop. However, I think that the U.K. can be different for whatever reason (drink probably) – if there are people talking then more often than not someone will ‘shush’ them… if the whole audience is talking then I guess it means that the band sin’t doing their job properly!
I’ve seen some great shows in the past. Some that spring to mind for being amazing shows are Arcade Fire, Why?, A Silver Mt. Zion, Alcoholic Faith Mission, and Pavement. But I guess the one that I’ll always have great memories of is Radiohead at Glastonbury 97 – I’d been a fan for quite some time, OK Computer had just been released and I think that that particular show was realization for a lot of people that this band were something special.
I’m also a huge fan of Cult of Luna, especially live – they are so so good. I was lucky enough to experience how good they are first hand in the Summer as I filled in for their keyboard player for a short tour. It wasn’t until I was actually playing alongside them that I realized just how talented those guys are. They can drink a fair amount too.
I’ve loved Arcade Fire since their first EP. Theyre such a good band and I think it’s a mark of how good they are that they have been able to evolve from album to album. I like Reflektor. Granted, it doesn’t have the immediacy of say Funeral or Neon Bible, but its an album full of great songs…I particularly love the production on this album. The synth sounds are so good.
I totally agree… the fingers or long legs question was by far the best…. I need to award that prize this afternoon…thanks for reminding me!
Without social media, I genuinely think I wouldn’t be sat answering these questions with you today. Hardly anyone would have heard of Blueneck. From time to time we try to get a little more involved with our fanbase….I THINK people like that…its certainly nice to interact with fans as opposed to distancing ourselves too much, which I guess a lot of bands would prefer to do. Maybe we’re just not cool enough?
One of my biggest influences was my dad. Not necessarily influential in a positive way…but certainly instrumental in why I’ve worked so hard at Blueneck. I’d simply ask him ‘Why did you think my music is so shit?!’